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Posts: 377
Joined: Nov. 22 2005
From: Quepos / Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Rasgueados
So I'm just wondering if most people play a four finger rasgueado, or just a ami rasgueado? I had an old school teacher who taught me to use all four fingers, but it seems that the modern way is three...is that true? Personally i prefer the fuller sound of the four fingers, although I find it takes more practise to achieve the " da da da da" sound when playing fast.
The 3 finger rasgeo, played with an upstroke on i to give 4 strokes is straight contratiempo: 1 and 2 and etc. I suspect it comes from dance accompaniment. Sometimes it fits the cante well, but too much is boring. It is just a fad.
The 4 finger rasgeado, played with an upstroke to give 5 notes, gives a completely different feel because the notes cross the rhythm and, in my opinion, goes much better with cante: I use it all the time.
But real flamenco guitarists have myriads of rasgeos.
Try a 2 finger rasgeo, with upstroke, giving a 3 stroke rasgeo, one per beat: play this rasgeo on 7,8,9 and a strong downstroke on 10.
There is a whole world of rasgeados out there waiting!
It does seem to be out of vogue, doesn't it? It seems that everyone is using the amii rasgueado where the xamii was once used, and the "Marote" triplets where once the fingers were used for a similiar effect. I feel the fingers give a more earthy and flamenco feel, although the newer ways seem to help achieve a punchier and more precise sound (if that's what you want)>
Depends a lot on the tempo and rhythm you want to make. I don't think any of the techniques are simply a fad or whatever, it is a more personal thing. Some players make the same rhythmic phrase as another, using their own choice of technique. I sometimes use the the 5 stroke for a 4 note rhythm like this (second i is always up stroke): xami ixam i(w/ golpe). This is fun and feels easier or "slower" at a faster tempo than amii amii.
Another way to make the same rhythmic phrase I have seen Tomatito do this: amii aiia i(golpe). That again produces the same sound pretty much when done fast, but feels different when you play it. That is the fun of having different techniques in your arsenal.
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