Rasgueado thoughts in general

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Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

Rasgueado thoughts in general

A lot of folk post stuff about getting a really "even" rasgueado, with each finger striking the strings at the same time interval as the others.

But if you really think about this, then if you did it perfectly, it would sound a bit like putting a plectrum on an electric motor and holding it up to the strings.

Sounds crap!

Rasgueado has to be rhythmic IMO.
And that implies a degree of eccentricity or asymmetry to me.

To me anyway, a good rasgueado sounds "clean" ie fairly even spacing between strokes in general, but above that a VERY even recurrance of the main beat being the most important thing.

Other than that, it's just like holding a piece of cardboard up against the spokes of a spinning bicycle wheel.

Is that the sound you are really aiming for?

That's why I personally never bother too much about "even-ness" myself.
Sure, you've got to have a bit of even spacing or it sounds terrible.

But don't kill yourself trying to achieve it.

Any other thoughts?

cheers,

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 17 2009 11:25:53

el ted

Posts: 466
Joined: Nov. 13 2003

RE: Rasgueado thoughts in general (in reply to Ron.M)

Yep!! Uneven but in compas gives it character. Believe it or not I learnt this technique playing banjo before I got into flamenco.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 17 2009 11:48:34

NormanKliman

Posts: 1143
Joined: Sep. 1 2007

RE: Rasgueado thoughts in general (in reply to Ron.M)

Hi Ron,

I agree. When the same fingering is repeated over and over, some of the strokes should be louder than others.

quote:

each finger striking the strings at the same time interval

When the pattern uses different time values for some of the beats, the intervals wouldn't be the same, anyway.

Look at this monster:

e-a, m-i-i, e-a-m-i, i-e-a-m-i, i

You can use this to roll out cycles over beats 12-5 and 6-11 por bulerías. It's just e-a-m-i-i three times through as eighths, a triplet, sixteenths, a quintuplet and two more beats on the final index upstroke. Diego del Gastor had an aire like this, really crashing and violent, on a straight A major chord as a way to "reset" between falsetas. Probably articulated it differently, though.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 17 2009 15:22:21

Ricardo

Posts: 14806
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Rasgueado thoughts in general (in reply to Ron.M)

To be clear, some folks confuse even rhythm or time intervals with even dynamics. There are ways to accent (yes sometimes the beat, sometimes the up beat, or sometimes something more complex and synchopated) and build dynamically that inject real life into a rasgueado without sacrificing eveness of speed. It take years to work on it, but for introducing students to it I first emphasize even strokes so they are not all over the map tempo wise. The vast majority of new comers to flamenco guitar ARE all over the place tempo wise. Once that is pretty solid, the dynamics are looked at. Flamenco guitar aint' so easy man. Dont' "kill yourself" but keep working on it. I am still improving on it after many years to be honest.

Ricardo

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 17 2009 15:23:55

Gummy

Posts: 495
Joined: Nov. 27 2005
From: North Carolina, USA

RE: Rasgueado thoughts in general (in reply to Ricardo)

quote:

I am still improving on it after many years to be honest.

It is refreshing to hear this from a player such as yourself, when I think you have "made it" as I listen to your CD. Thanks for your contuinued input.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 17 2009 17:13:55

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: Rasgueado thoughts in general (in reply to Ron.M)

rasgueados are damn frustrating. as soon as i think they're in good order, my standards rise, then i think they're crap again.

good idea, ron, i'm just going to take my cake mixer to the strings from now on.

HA! look what i just found!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 18 2009 2:05:55

burnsbyrne

Posts: 44
Joined: Sep. 17 2005
From: NE Ohio, USA

RE: Rasgueado thoughts in general (in reply to Ron.M)

I think that when practicing you should practice getting the strokes of rasguedo even in time.

This is what I do to strengthen all the fingers: take a four stroke rasguedo, for example e a m i and instead of counting it in 4 count it as 5 and stroke the number one with greater emphasis than the following four fingers. This method makes each finger practice being the first finger of the rasguedo and it helps to strengthen all the fingers, especially e which is naturally weaker than the others. Apply this to all the rasguedo patterns, always counting one more than the number of fingers in the rasgueo. Do this with a metronome and I guarantee your rasguedos will get stronger and more even quickly.
Mike

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 21 2009 11:29:17