Rasqueos and Weak (a) Finger

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Gecko

Posts: 218
Joined: Jan. 2 2006
From: New Mexico

Rasqueos and Weak (a) Finger

My 3-Finger and Continuing Rasqueos are coming along quite nicely, at least in my naive opinion. However, my (a) finger stroke is somewhat weaker than (i) or (m). I have tried numerous things to improve it, mostly involving different RH positions but still there is not much notable improvement.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. BTW my primary lessons are coming from Graf-Martinez, Vol 1.

I should add that my hands are very, very small.

Thanks

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 27 2006 10:59:58

duende

Posts: 3053
Joined: Dec. 15 2003
From: Sweden

RE: Rasqueos and Weak (a) Finger (in reply to Gecko)

i have the opposite problem, my A finger is to strong in the attack so i try NOT to accent it

do this. holda C or and E chord then play it like a regular stum. eight notes in 60 bpm maybe. But you should do it with the rasgueado technique, like this.

A M I I A M I I, (thats one bar of eight notes in 4/¤ time)

Now don´t play it like a ragueado but like a strum. after you can do this in controll put an accent on the first and second A finger. When you can do this in controll, try to move the accents around.

Just a practice idea, might help some might not.

also try to go from "piano" to "Forte" in a bar. thats form very quiet to very loud
this will help to controll fingers as individual fingers. witch gives a better controll over rasgueados.

Henrik el Friday!!

_____________________________

This is hard stuff!
Don't give up...
And don't make it a race.
Enjoy the ray of sunshine that comes with every new step in knowledge.

RON

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 27 2006 11:07:45

Gecko

Posts: 218
Joined: Jan. 2 2006
From: New Mexico

RE: Rasqueos and Weak (a) Finger (in reply to duende)

Yes, I have been doing something similar, eg playing Rasqueos as a strum (a) then (m) then (i), generally making sure I contact all strings on the downstroke, except where (p) is resting. This has helped greatly in developing finger independance, timing and volume and this is where, most of all, I notice my weaker (a) finger.

I will try accenting as you suggeted. Seems reasonable to me.

Thanks

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 27 2006 11:15:47

Ricardo

Posts: 14883
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Rasqueos and Weak (a) Finger (in reply to Gecko)

Well, I find momentum plays a big part in getting the weaker fingers to sound strong. But for me it is always the initial stroke that was the problem, when learning rasg. Some folks gather their fingers on the thumb and flick them off, like a cocked gun. My thumb is short, so I learned how to do the same thing by tucking the (a) finger ever so slightly behind the (m) finger. It shoots off the side of the m finger for the intitial stroke (and repeat strokes too), and is very powerfull sounding with little effort or excercise. Just be careful with timing.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 27 2006 17:36:30

duende

Posts: 3053
Joined: Dec. 15 2003
From: Sweden

RE: Rasqueos and Weak (a) Finger (in reply to Ricardo)

quote:

Some folks gather their fingers on the thumb and flick them off, like a cocked gun.

I would suggest practicing without fingers gathering behind the thumb.
It gives better control and strength in the end. Also some speed since you donw have to pull the finger up before you do the rasgueado

Henrik el Bruichladdich

_____________________________

This is hard stuff!
Don't give up...
And don't make it a race.
Enjoy the ray of sunshine that comes with every new step in knowledge.

RON

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 27 2006 17:53:44

gshaviv

Posts: 272
Joined: Mar. 22 2005
From: Israel

RE: Rasqueos and Weak (a) Finger (in reply to duende)

Another suggestion is to do the radgueado Juan Serrano style, that is starting with the i like this iami all down strokes. The advantage is that the your first stroke is with the i which helps for a sharper attack on the rasgueado.

_____________________________

Guy

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 28 2006 2:07:26

Thomas Whiteley

Posts: 786
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: Rasqueos and Weak (a) Finger (in reply to Gecko)

quote:

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Strengthening the fingers of the right hand is very important. You want to have a balance between fingers – that is a nice even pressure against the strings so that one finger is not louder than the others.

I = Indice
M = Medio
A = Anular
m = meñique

Personally, I like to teach the m (down), A(down), M(down), I (down), I (up) as the first exercise in Rasgueado. My reasoning is to get the muscles of the right hand accustomed to this action. When you have the strength and coordination you can try other Rasgueados.

Some teachers will not teach the Rasgueado described above and consider it “old fashion”.

The Juan Serrano Rasgueado is I (down), m(down), A(down), M (down), I (down) by the way. Juan was one of my teachers and he plays many other Rasgueados.

When it comes to a continuous Rasgueado there are many ways to do it. There are two that I like.

1. m (down), A(down), M(down), I (down) - repeat
2. I (down), M(down), A(down), m (down) - repeat

The effect should be played evenly and is a bit like scratching!

Go to my web site to see the 101 Rasgueados document for additional ideas. It takes time to build strength in the right hand. Therefore do not attempt to over do it! Remember that straining the hand can lead to permanent injury!

_____________________________

Tom
http://home.comcast.net/~flamencoguitar/flamenco.html

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 28 2006 4:35:47