These strategies are in no order of importance.
The instrument & execution
Important Disclaimer
Please note that these ideas are a result of my own thinking and what I have learned about my own Task Specific Focal Dystonia.
The process of thinking about and understanding TSFD is by no means finished. By extension, these strategies are an unfinished work [...]
These strategies are in no order of importance.
The mind (and the heart)
Important Disclaimer
Please note that these ideas are a result of my own thinking and what I have learned about my own Task Specific Focal Dystonia.
The process of thinking about and understanding TSFD is by no means finished. By extension, these strategies are an unfinished [...]
Text to go here
ligados-1
ligados-2
Six note chords
Six note chords
One of the maxims of effective practice is to break everything down to the smallest movement. Isolated problems are easier to tackle because you are focussing on one thing and as such the solution can become clearer to you. Related to this advice is to practice only one hand [...]
stretches
One complaint that some guitarists have is stretching the left had sufficiently, especially between ring and middle fingers. Here is a well known exercise to assist this stretching.
If you are a beginner you may not be able to get beyond fret six with your first finger (measure three). Keep at it and slowly you with [...]
A great way to practise opening and closing the right hand.
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arpegios-con-picado-y-ligados
The technique of alzapúa consists of using the thumb like a pick or plectrum. Used in alternating up down strokes, the thumb plays a single melody between chords. If you know what alzapúa is, great. If not, have a listen and watch these samples:
The flamenco thumb is the most important digit to control. Some players (though rather limited players) limit nearly all their playing to rasgueado and thumb. One such is the marvelous Antonio de Rosa. You will need to learn to play on one string, and this is addressed in the “alzapúa” section, as well as crossing [...]
Sequential planting – don’t rest your thumb on the strings as you play the trebles. Yes, it is short – so am I on trémolo. As I improve, I will be talking more about this technique.
Download the first tablature file for trémolo.
This is what makes flamenco what it is. Here are some ideas to help you start to develop your rasgueado.
Rasgueado is a percussive effect, so hit, don’t strum the strings. You are not playing folk guitar around the camp fire now !
Aim for the E’ string, even if you are playing all six strings.
Do [...]
I have no idea why, but they are the bane of my life! They should be one of the easiest techniques to master, as they are the most natural of all right hand techniques, after playing block chords. Start arpeggios by playing block chords to get your fingers used to gripping three or four strings [...]
Everyone wants to play fast. But speed sounds rubbish if the pulsation of the music is not there. Playing fast might impress those who do not know, but if you wish to play flamenco, forget speed. Concentrate instead on control and accuracy. Compás is everything and it is adherence to compás (like a train on [...]
Go straight to the page contents
Before you read the page:
Some of the resources used for this page include, but are not limited to:
Scott Tennant: Pumping Nylon.
Abel Carlevaro: Books 1-4.
Gerardo Nuñez: La Técnica al Servicio al Arte & El Arte de Gerardo Nuñez.
Alan Shearer: Learning the Classic Guitar.
Oscar Herrero: Guitarra Flamenca Paso a Paso.
Manuel Granados: Manual [...]
2011 Guernika
