Livestream | Mexican Polkas: Songs, Styles, Players and History

Hi, I’m Dallas Vietty—accordion performer and educator based in Pennsylvania, USA. I’ve spent over a decade helping accordionists explore the full expressive range of their instrument, and in this livestream, we’re diving into a rich and deeply rooted accordion tradition: Mexican Polkas.

This episode, titled “Mexican Polkas: Songs, Styles, Players and History”, is a journey through one of the most joyful, soulful, and rhythmically infectious branches of the accordion family tree. We’ll look at the history of how polka made its way to northern Mexico, how it blended with local musical traditions, and how it evolved into a signature sound in norteño, conjunto, and Tejano music.

As accordionists, we’ll focus on the unique stylistic elements that define Mexican polka playing—right-hand phrasing, left-hand rhythms, articulation, and the deep sense of groove and drive that powers the dance. I’ll highlight some of the legendary players and bands who shaped the genre, and we’ll listen to and break down a few iconic songs to understand what makes them tick.

Whether you’ve grown up hearing this music or are brand new to the tradition, this session will give you tools to appreciate, learn from, and start incorporating Mexican polka style into your own playing. The accordion is front and center in this music—and it’s a beautiful thing to study. Come ready to celebrate, learn, and connect with one of the great accordion traditions of the Americas.