[steve]

For the picado technique, are there any member out there that use the skin of the fingers rather than the nail, if that's possible? Or does the string always roll off the skin and hit the nail to play picado? Does using the skin give less contro ald make the picado slower?

[Bob Weisenberg]

I don't think it's possible to play a good flamenco picado without nails. You just can't get the right sharp tone or the volume. Moreover, you need good nails for the rasgueado anyway.

If you're having trouble maintaining your nails, there have been a lot of advances in nail technology since we used to put "pegamento" (same as airplane glue) on our nails back in the early '70's!

[MarcChrys]

If you check out Mininocurro on Youtube, he has two excellent videos on how to improve your picado scales. The speed he plays at is awesome, and he actually advises keeping nails fairly short (he demonstrates how short his righthand nails are) and striking where the flesh 'meets' the nail.

[falseta]

@MarcChrys - Just finished watching several videos by Mininocurro and they are amazing. Pushing down on the string and shortening the picado stroke are great tips!

If you have a chance check out this video that talk about Picado tips as suggested by MarcChrys:

YouTube - Things to remember when you play scales (Spanish Guitar)

You can check out many more videos by Mininocurro at:
YouTube - mininocurro's Channel

[falseta]

Just want to quickly report back on the technique described by mininocurro's videos on pushing down through the string when playing picado... I have been practicing this method for the last couple of days and have noticed a tremendous difference in clarity and strength...

Thanks again MarcChrys for the video suggestion!

I wonder if we can get mininocurro on the forum?

[Frontera]

Grisha use to post occasionally on the Foro Flamenco. He is a master of both flamenco and classical. Last I heard we was studying at New England Conservatory of Music with Fisk. He is an amazing talent that can parrot the masters like no one else.

Grisha Goryachev: Biography

[Sergii]

I have a question about what minicurro says about shortening the picado stroke and about economosing movement of the fingers in general. Basically, i don't know how to do it!

When i play picado or even tirando, my finger movements are quite big and when i see guitarists like Grisha or other people who can play picado with almost no movement, i think there might be something wrong with my technique.

When playing picado or tirando, should i try to place the next finger i'm going to play with immediately on the string after i play a note. And when i play, should my whole finger be moving when i stroke or only the bottom joints? I'm confused.

I think because i use so much movement and don't have very efficient picado technique is the reason my tremolo is all over the place aswell.

Any tips on how to economise motion?

[falseta]

Just to build a bit on what mininocurro says and from my own experience:

1. Avoid curling fingers when doing picado. That is to say push through the string instead of pulling the string up.

2. Orginate the strength of the picado from the knuckles.

Those two tips have changed the way I play but also took some re-training.

[57paf]

Sergii:
Bend at the 2nd knuckle. It is very hard to get control by bending at the big knuckle. I give credit to those that can.

[Sergii]

What do you mean by the second knuckle?