Getting that "thump" golpe

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ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

Getting that "thump" golpe

I am recently trying to get that darker, bassy "thump" sound in my golpe,
but i find that, even though my nails are relatively short, i have
a hard time doing a golpe without hitting the nail, and getting a bright
tap.
Is there a trick or something that im missing?

When i say my nails are relatively short, i mean, they are just about
even with my finger tip.

Im wondering, those of you who can get a nice warm thump (Ricardo

)
what are you doing to get the right angle, and is it something you had
to work on, or could you do it immediatly?
Do you think nail length has something to do with it, or is it strictly about
angle?
TK

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 20 2007 0:11:35

Posts: 320
Joined: Nov. 20 2005
From: manitoba, canada

RE: Getting that "thump" golpe (in reply to ToddK)

dont forget theres probly a brace right behind the sound hole
a golpe on it might not sound deep like you are looking for
c

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 20 2007 0:19:17

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Getting that "thump" golpe (in reply to c)

quote:

dont forget theres probly a brace right behind the sound hole
a golpe on it might not sound deep like you are looking for
c

No, i dont think that's an issue. My issue is keeping the nail from
hitting the top.
My finger really wants to come straight down, and im finding it hard
to "flatten" it out, so the nail doesnt hit.

I mean, i CAN flatten it, but it throws my right hand out of whack,
and i kinda just lose it.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 20 2007 0:24:40

Posts: 320
Joined: Nov. 20 2005
From: manitoba, canada

RE: Getting that "thump" golpe (in reply to ToddK)

I know exactly what you mean
plus I usually use a , and I like that nail a little longer

I have the same problem getting it to sound right every time I want it

c

I saw a guy once... had a great sounding golpe
He seemed to keep his finger straight
I have a hard time doing that too

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 20 2007 0:40:12

Ricardo

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

RE: Getting that "thump" golpe (in reply to ToddK)

Hey man. It is the "m" finger. I use it in combo with the other fingers to get more bass. And sometimes just m finger with no nail hitting the board gets that "thump". Perhaps I get some bass with the "a" finger too. Both guys go down together often. For bright golpes, my pinky gets involved with ring finger, believe it or not. Once I cut my pinky nail off since I rarely use it (so I thought) and suddenly my golpes were not so bright!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 20 2007 8:40:40

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Getting that "thump" golpe (in reply to Ricardo)

Man, that should have been obvious huh?

It never even occured to me to try M finger.

I'll have to go try that right now! Thanks R!!!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 20 2007 8:54:57

guitarbuddha

Posts: 2970
Joined: Jan. 4 2007

RE: Getting that "thump" golpe (in reply to ToddK)

Hi Todd. I think that the guitar top responds a bit like a hand drum. You can get a load of different sounds depending on how you hit it. The sound you are after is like a bass tone and maybe if you hit it with a lot of weight and sink in a little but dont push so hard so that it chokes but bounce off still feeling the hand as heavy youll find a tone.

One thing might be to practice something like the cascada rhythm with all golpes(you know the on that goes I dont like carrotts I like tomatoes ) whilst introducing the thumb on scales or I finger on rasg ( down strokes only is good at first ) simultaneously. Then youll naturally start finding lots of sounds and get a feel for the different weights that make the top respond differently.

As Ricardo says 'mae' together give good weight.

Let's here the results.

D.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 20 2007 16:47:06

Ron.M

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

RE: Getting that "thump" golpe (in reply to ToddK)

Todd,
I know what you mean about sometimes getting an unsatisfying "clicky" sound.

Like Ricardo, I sometimes use M or both M and A.
I find that by using the (very short) nail at right angles to the sound board stops the click and gives a better golpe sound.
When the finger is slightly angled, THAT's when you get that "thump-click" unless you can really flatten your finger out for flesh contact only like the old-time players, which is not really possible for modern style playing.
Just my own experience here, not gospel.

cheers,

Ron

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A good guitar might be a good guitar
But it takes a woman to break your heart

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 20 2007 21:18:35

edgar884

Posts: 1975
Joined: Nov. 16 2005

RE: Getting that "thump" golpe (in reply to ToddK)

I just had to check this out, I thought Todd was super human but apparently he is Human after all.

I am just kidding Todd just find it cool as hell that you asked a question.

The thump Golpe is done with ma no nail gosh even I know that.

Totally just harrasing you Todd, you are the **** and hey I love that stuff you do with the female singer on myspace, wow you really are a great guitarist and musician my friend. I think it was a cover of Fiona Apple, great stuff man great stuff.
I actually love her stuff myself.

You are still one of my influences, even when we argue.

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May we find God through Flamenco instead of Angels and Demons

www.gabrieledgar.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 21 2007 0:20:55

duende

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

RE: Getting that "thump" golpe (in reply to Ricardo)

quote:

Both guys go down together often.

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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 Oct. 21 2007 14:08:47

Arash

Posts: 4495
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)

RE: Getting that "thump" golpe (in reply to ToddK)

Hey Todd,

is this the sound you want to achieve?
Look at the angle of the m and a finger when Juan Carlos Gomez is doing the golpes!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2007 20:39:46

n85ae

Posts: 877
Joined: Sep. 7 2006

RE: Getting that "thump" golpe (in reply to ToddK)

Hey Todd, don't you know, you're not supposed to golpe with that flatpick
it'll sound clicky :) Try using a knee instead.

Regards,
Jeff

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2007 21:28:26

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Getting that "thump" golpe (in reply to n85ae)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2007 22:56:29

gato

Posts: 322
Joined: Jun. 9 2007

RE: Getting that "thump" golpe (in reply to ToddK)

Todd, maybe what you've gotta do is explore golpe. Instead of just attempting different sounds when you are called to do them, explore all of the sounds and rhythms, and techniques untill you feel like you really know as much as you're going to learn. Put everything aside and really get into it. Play golpe and start to really feel it, and start to know.

And you can take rhythms from other players, and you can even improvise and invent your own. Play the guitar with passion, play and learn as it is an ongoing process that will take you thru the good and the bad, what ever it is you are going to learn. Take the time and use it well. Every time that I turn around I want to learn something that I see or hear, and that saturation and process is the only way. Learn, relearn, and invent.

Gary

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 26 2007 21:40:40