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I know a few of you think my picado is already good but I feel I'm in a crisis here... I feel comfortable playing both ways.... I can only choose one I suppose but I'm starting to like the new way of playing... Oh, well. I'll have this figured out soon..... It's just a phase I'm going through right now...
I dont see the difference, except for the thumb changing position slightly.
No reason to have to choose just one.
Another thing that stuck out to me was that the picado part is around 10 to 15 bpm slower than the arpeggio part, which makes the picado part sound strained and like it's falling behind.
You have a great picado, so there's no reason to rush the arpeggio. Even it out, it will come across alot better.
Tone sounds a bit brighter with the traditionalposition rather than the new way of playing, but I might be just imagining things... The way I heard the sound, I prefer the traditional technique.
In this video I think your old way sounds stronger and brighter, maybe because you only just started playing the new way?
I also play both ways, I don't think it needs to be one or the other. For me the main benefit of not resting the thumb is that it becomes much more obvious when there is excess tension in the thumb. (I see yours is flexing in the new technique). I also find it helps me learn to keep a constant hand position relative to the string as I move between 1st to 6th .
I practice without resting the thumb mainly to teach my hand to be free of excess tension. When playing properly I do play either way but now even when resting the thumb it's less tense and picado feels better and is faster and stronger.(But nowhere near as good as yours Juan!)
I appreciate the comments. Interesting I must say. Todd , Yeah I was falling a bit behind with the picado in comparison to the arpeggio part but oddly I think it sounded more even with the new way of playing. It could also be I filed my nails too short. Ramzi, I thought tone wise it was brighter when I adjusted the hand. hmmm...@dudnote: He actually knows the piece better than me. I'm just playing the end licks. Orson, thanks for your advice. You can learn from everyone I believe. The reason I think I'm adjusting is cause I have to cover less distance to the string. I never had a problem with this; again this could just be a phase I'm going through... But I have to say, I'm even impressed with the results given the amount of time I've been playing this way. (1 week).... Ok, woke up this morning again with Zyryab lick in mind and new hand position...(nails still are too short)
no offense jaun, but you can't play a basic old picado piece like Panaderos with that weirdo looking Ruben thumb tuck. You need the thumb up on the string to play bass notes as needed. Get rid of that nonsense man.
but you can't play a basic old picado piece like Panaderos with that weirdo looking Ruben thumb tuck. You need the thumb up on the string to play bass notes as needed. Get rid of that nonsense man.
I see what you mean. Like Orson said, it doesn't have to be one or the other. You can play both ways. A piece like Panaderos, the old way is definitely better although I can manage the other way.(I just tried it).... Thanks for chiming in Lenador. You have a point there. Anyway thanks guys!
Funny, Tino taught me something similar to that thumb tuck.
If I remember correct, he advocates what Niño de Pura does which is a light resting with side of thumb on basses to prevent them from sympathetically ringing...but I personally don't think it is a big deal, even with a super loud piezo guitar. And of course there are times you WANT the basses to ring while you are running a scale or whatever. Still it's a different deal than this thumb tucking thing IMO.
Yes, he cited Nino de Pura. I'm glad I missed the boat on this whole thumb-tucking thing. I am pretty much switching to resting my thumb heavily on the bass string like you always say. I think it helps.
Ok, I think I really did go insane for a week with this.... I actually was not content with my speed. I know my tone and quality are quite good but I thought in the new position I was taking it to another level in terms of speed.... Ahhhh, it was all a fallacy.. I should not have to worry about more speed. Total silliness for the whole week. Thanks again for the feedback.....
Do you really think picado is what you really need to be spending alot of time working on? Seems like you have it down. I think there are plenty of other flamenco fundamentals that you could be working on. Phrasing/accenting, rasgueado, compas, etc..
Do you really think picado is what you really need to be spending alot of time working on? Seems like you have it down.
Yes , I know I have it down Todd but I'm shooting for mega warp speed man. I don't want to hear that I've reached my limit.... I know I can go faster... Just have to unlock it.
You have an awesome Picado. I'm sure you're an envy of many. At the end of the day though, it's what you transmit in your music that people truly remember. I'm not saying to give up on this mega warp speed, just give yourself a pat on the back once in a while. You've achieved more than most. Let us hear who you really are, don't let the picado define who you are musically.
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I feel comfortable playing both ways.... I can only choose one I suppose but I'm starting to like the new way of playing... Oh, well. I'll have this figured out soon..... It's just a phase I'm going through right now... 
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