Picado and Rasgueo

[Mik]

Juan Martin in his book, ‘El Arte Flamenco’, suggests when playing picado the principle movement comes from the main knuckle. Is this also true of rasgueo? If so, are there any exercises that might develop strength in these joints, particularly those of the third and fourth finger?

Many thanks

[Payul]

Hi Mik,

Gerardo Nunez makes his picado from the second joint.
There is no "best "way of doing things.
Maybe this link is also useful for you, good tips!
YouTube - Things to remember when you play scales (Spanish Guitar)

About strenght and rasq. Strenght is comming more in years than in mounths, and especially be carefull practicing rasg. do not overdo it.
Take your time, practice slow and watch your technique.
You can train rasq easily without a guitar, at the hem of your trouser.
( I do not know if hem is the right word, at the side of your trouser where it is sew together). Or if you drive a car on the stearing wheel!

Good luck, and enjoy playing!
Payul

[falseta]

Originally Posted by Mik

Juan Martin in his book, ‘El Arte Flamenco’, suggests when playing picado the principle movement comes from the main knuckle. Is this also true of rasgueo? If so, are there any exercises that might develop strength in these joints, particularly those of the third and fourth finger?

@Mik - There is no better training than just practicing over and over again. I use a metronome to make sure that I start and end on time. Start out slow and just think clean clear strokes speed and strength come with time.

Originally Posted by Payul

Take your time, practice slow and watch your technique.
You can train rasq easily without a guitar, at the hem of your trouser.
( I do not know if hem is the right word, at the side of your trouser where it is sew together). Or if you drive a car on the stearing wheel!

@Payul - Excellent advice Payul! I find myself doing this all the time in the car while playing bulerias or tangos on the radio. This is a great way to take advantage of the time lost sitting at a stop light and squeezing in some extra practice time.

[Mik]

Thanks for your replies. I went to the You Tube site you recommended, Payul and was impressed with both ‘Things to remember’ and ‘Scale Practice Tips’. Thanks for that. I’m a long way from that speed and quality, but maybe – if I persevere!

To return to the rasgueo, there seem to be at least 2 stylistic differences in both the 4 and 5 note. I’m thinking here of the difference say between Juan Martin and Manuel Granados. Martin’s rasgueos seem to be a continuous sound with a rush of expectation in them, whereas with Granados you hear each individual finger strike, staccato.

Are these 2 different styles or the same thing, one just faster than the other?

[falseta]

I was taking a lesson from Jose Tanaka once and remember him telling me something abou this. If I remember correctly there is a difference as one is more of a push through and the other is very clear with each finger stroke sounding distinct. Definatley a style thing but I dont remember if it is regional or specific to a style etc.

I hope that helps its been a while since that lesson.

[Payul]

Hi Mik,


There are enormous lot of different rasq. In general you can say that the old scool uses all fingers pretty straightforwars f.e. x ( Pinky) ami down, or contginiously xamiixami, this souns like a rolling one.
The more modern ones are sometimes with 3 fingers ami, or even this one, very nice for tango, buleria, i up, a down, i down, like a triplet, this one sounds realy separated.
Also this one is used, m down , i down, i up.

hope this helps a bit!

Payul

[Mik]

Thanks for the replies Payul and falseta. I've just downloaded the Adam del Monte Rasgueados lesson. The first approach is the staccato method with each finger flicked out from behind the thumb. Struggling with this as my hand is less flexible than his, but I'm sure it's going to be very helpful.

[falseta]

Thats great! Its hard work but fun work! Slow and clean is what I keep in my mind...

I would be interested in your thoughts of the Adam del Monte lesson... I started a thread to ask about opinions on online lessons here:

Online Flamenco Guitar Lessons

It would be great if you could share you thoughts on the overall lesson once you have viewed a few times.