LATIN and SPANISH   RHYTHMS

Up until approx fifty years ago the Spanish guitar was the instrument of choice played by the majority of guitarists in the world, it was unusual for it to be played with a plectrum as it was broadly accepted that the fingers got the best sound for the styles of music played on the Spanish  Guitar.

The range of styles played on the Spanish guitar is still greater than that of the steel guitar  and is still the only style accepted as a legitimate classical instrument.

The original Spanish flamenco used songs and ballads related to the area and used mostly  open chords based on the 1-v-1 structure, this progression is standard in flamenco music, and is used with minor scales. An important part of  the  right hand  technique is called “ rascuedo “ .

 With the right hand fingers  clenched there is a flicking motion ,  so that the finger nails play three or four  down strokes in quick succession and the palm drops down to provide a damping effect, letting the thumb alternate with the fingers and play bass notes  independently

Practice  this technique and we can then move on to more styles. Happy Playing