My Pinky and Rasgueado

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bbeardb

Posts: 23
Joined: Jun. 1 2006

My Pinky and Rasgueado

So I have a problem with my pinky and I'm wondering if I'll every be able to do 5 finger rasgueados. It's hard to explain without looking at it so bear with me. It will not extend beyond my ring finger (a). For example, if my 'a' finger is pulled down into a fist (or ready to strike out for a rasgueado stroke), my pinky will not extend beyond my ring finger at my knuckle. The only free movement I have is from my second joint (or middle, however you want to look at it) out toward the tip. This gives me very little movement and power. We talking like three to four strings of movement if I'm lucky and very week sound. It usually just ends up striking out with my ring finger and it just sounds like crap (well, just about all my playing sounds like crap, but that's just because I don't practice...)

Another way to look at it. Imagine strapping your pinky and ring finger together at their base. Now the only independent movement you have in your pinky is from the second joint.

Anybody else have this problem or have seen somebody with this problem?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 25 2006 14:52:50

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (in reply to bbeardb)

I can't speak to your condition specifically, but human beings are normally very good at grabbing, and not so much at flicking. (our ancestors brachiated, right?) Think how often you use any sort of flicking or lifting motion with your pinky or ring finger in daily life. I would suggest you do a lot of slow and cautious practice with these fingers and just see what happens. It's not easy for anyone.

On the bright side, the pinky isn't used much as far as I can tell in modern playing, and you can use the abanico-type (pam) triplets as a substitute in most situations. Or some other combination.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 25 2006 15:40:53

bbeardb

Posts: 23
Joined: Jun. 1 2006

RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (in reply to bbeardb)

I should note, this is not a problem in my left hand, just my right. It's always bugged me. I rememeber in middle school wondering why I couldn't do the "hang loose" sign with my right hand. I'd sit there and physically pull my right pinky finger up and my ring finger down with my left hand hoping I could "fix" it. So I don't think it's a muscle issue, I think it's some damn genetic tendon thing...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 25 2006 15:55:45

edgar884

Posts: 1975
Joined: Nov. 16 2005

RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (in reply to bbeardb)

Try to hook the pinky behind your thumb and flick it out as much as you can.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2006 0:55:12

bbeardb

Posts: 23
Joined: Jun. 1 2006

RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (in reply to edgar884)

Doesn't give me much more movement. Aren't you supposed to keep your thumb on the E string while doing this and flick your fingers out by having htem tucked into the palm?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2006 20:04:02

bernd

Posts: 680
Joined: Feb. 15 2004

RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (in reply to bbeardb)

Hi bbeardb,

this works very well if you bow down the first knuckle of the thumb like a claw. If your thumb nail isn´t too long, then you can leave it - bowed down (!) - with its outside half part on the E string and hook easily the nail plates of the other fingers behind the thumb. It gives you as much movement as you may need.

I suggest to do the flick out motion this way a while without the guitar. The reason is you can hurt your tendons if you build up the tension with too much power.

Saludos
Bernd

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2006 20:21:16

edgar884

Posts: 1975
Joined: Nov. 16 2005

RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (in reply to bbeardb)

I was taught to curl the thumb and hook it behind the 6th string, so the first knuckle of the thumb is actualy tucked and touching the guitar while the fingers are hooked behind the thumb. It gives a strong rasgueado without doing it from the palm, which takes a while to get. I have noticed that most advanced players dont need to hook the fingers behind the thumb anymore, later it comes more from the palm.

I like the stronger more powerful which comes from behind the thumb .

Cheers.

However this is what I was taught, try your own.

_____________________________

May we find God through Flamenco instead of Angels and Demons

www.gabrieledgar.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2006 23:05:27

bernd

Posts: 680
Joined: Feb. 15 2004

RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (in reply to edgar884)

Edgar is absolutely right. Try both and find your own way. I found my way, because I can´t develope a powerful rasgueo from the palm.

Saludos
Bernd

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 31 2006 8:17:14

Phil

Posts: 382
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Rota, Spain

RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (in reply to bbeardb)

quote:

So I have a problem with my pinky and I'm wondering if I'll every be able to do 5 finger rasgueados

So, don't do a 5 finger rasgueo. As Miguel said, hardly any Flamenco guitarists use it anymore. Don't get hung up on something like this. There are all kinds of rasgueos that you can do instead. There's no point in knocking yourself out trying to do something that may be physically impossible for you, especially a technique that's not even necessary.

Just my 2 cents worth,

Phil

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 31 2006 20:47:51