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I am having trouble executing a normal triplet rasgueado with the thumb strumming downwards because my nail gets stuck. The thing is that my thumb nail curves over the finger as you can see in the pic (apologies to those offended ).
Does anyone else have the same problem? How do I overcome this? Is it even possible to overcome?
Kind regards Conrad Pienaar
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Posts: 4530
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)
RE: Rasguaedo using thumb downstroke (in reply to ConradP)
well, i think it is a question of practicing and adapting the way of playing to your finger anatomics. everything is possible.
what i would suggest is that you stretch out the thumb (don't bend the thumb joints inwards, thats a mistake many beginners do, independent from the shape of the finger/nail etc.)
not only that this is the correct way of playing with thumb, but in your case, that way your thumb also forms a very slight "U" (outwards) and somehow compensates the opposite curve of your nail.
if you look at Moraito , he has a very long thumb nail and it is also a little bit curved at the end (this is however because of the length of the nail and not because of the problem you have), BUT the result is almost the same. i would have difficulties to play with such a nail, but he can. so it is a question of adapting. you can do it too.
another possibility would be some kind of plastic artificial nail, glued, etc. you could ask Jason MCGuire about details
RE: Rasgueado using thumb downstroke (in reply to bursche)
OK. I took the advice of extending the thumb to form a U (albeit a slight U). It still looks like your nail does not curve downwards over the finger like mine though. I have been practicing this for the last 2 days and now I basically get 2 successive triplets that are reasonably accurate at a reasonable tempo but eventually I want to make it roll (if that makes sense). Is this normal?
I'm sorry about all the questions but there are probably 3 flamenco guitarists in my country.
RE: Rasgueado using thumb downstroke (in reply to Arash)
OK that is good because my thumb only bends back slightly. Are you sure it'sno necessary?
Also, should I be practicing on this classical guitar or should I rather buy flamenco guitar. What I mean is: will I be sent on the wrong trajectory and regret not having practiced on a flamenco guitar a year down the line?
I can get this guitar or one mode up from that in my city (more or less).
Posts: 4530
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)
RE: Rasgueado using thumb downstroke (in reply to ConradP)
yes, i am sure. many players don't bend it that much like Vicente or Paco Serrano, etc. as mentioned, the important thing is that you don't bend your thumb in the middle of the finger and that its outstrechted.
----
generally it is always better to have a flamenco guitar (with a proper FLAMENCO setup) right from the beginning because of the setup (not so much because of difference of the sound). the setup of flamenco guitars are different from classical. also you will play Golpes and you will need a Golpeador on your guitar, to protect it and to be able to play Golpes properly.
RE: Rasgueado using thumb downstroke (in reply to ConradP)
The odd thing about my thumb that i have found, is that my thumb naturally wants to back bend. I have alot of back bend in my thumb like Vicente. The thing is, i dont have to conciously bend it back. The pressure of my thumb against the strings bends it back. I have to conciously keep it straight if i want it to remain straight. Otherwise, the joint collapses backwards.
This is cool for most things, but for some things its a pain.
Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A
RE: Rasgueado using thumb downstroke (in reply to ConradP)
i'm late for the party but here is how my thumb looks at the moment. you can't see it too well in the picture but my thumb nail is curved similar to yours.
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Posts: 34
Joined: Mar. 27 2008
From: Bargara Beach, Australia
RE: Rasgueado using thumb downstroke (in reply to ConradP)
Hi Conrad.
Your name suggests you live in the Rainbow Nation?
I have a straight thumb, and do not have the hyperextension of the joint that creates the U shaped thumb that several players have. It seemed to me that it is because of this that I also battle with the thumb nail hooking.
My solution has been to change the angle of attack. If I bend my right wrist to a more acute angle, this INCREASES the hooking. On the other hand if I extend my hand slightly towards the sound hole, this flattens the angle of my wrist, increases the contact between flesh, and eliminates the hooking. If I get the angle right, I can get just sufficient nail contact without hooking.
RE: Rasgueado using thumb downstroke (in reply to ConradP)
Maybe cut your nail a bit more. Even really short nails are sufficient for rasguedos, but what the other people already recommended should fix it easily.
Also try to be relaxed when moving your hand and build up speed gradually.
RE: Rasgueado using thumb downstroke (in reply to ConradP)
I also have nails that hook over, on my fingers as well as thumb.
Here are some things I have learnt that helped me-
1. Some nails are better for flamenco than others but there is always a way around however your nails are- don't be disheartened!
2. It just takes time to develop the right pattern of movement, my experience is that focused practice with a metronome always pays off. In fact our capacity for fine motor learning is quite remarkable. Even with perfect nails you may well have found that your thumb gets stuck on the strings.
3. Nail shaping helps. I ramp my nails so they don't get hooked onto the strings-
Have a look at this thread for nail shaping advice there's a link in the first post to "pumping nylon" this has good information on nail shape.
4. Using nail hardener or superglue is common practice. It suits some people. I find it has the advantage of holding the nail straight as it grows out away from the finger tip- the hooking is then greatly diminished.
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