What is "tololoche"

The tololoche is a traditional musical instrument from northern Mexico. It is similar but smaller than the European double bass, but still large enough to produce low sounds. It has three or four strings, and is played and noted with the fingers ( pizzicato). It is purely a folk instrument, and not used in classical music.

In northern Mexico it is used in Fara fara, norteño and tango music. These styles include the accordion, snare drum, tololoche, saxophone, guitar or bajosexto. It is also used by musicians playing in bars and taverns in cities in the north. The tololoche became established in the north of Mexico as indispensable to the interpretation of regional music and less awkward than the classical double-bass to transport.

The instrument is purely acoustic, and its role is endangered by electric instruments. In the 1950s, modern instruments such as the drum set and the electric bass began to take the place of the tambor de rancho and tololoche, respectively. However, musicians and composers have returned to the tololoche for consistency within the field of traditional music.