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Alright, I realized today that my rasqueo really suck. I have been so focused on building up the muscle to be able to them that I have completely forgotten about tonality as well.
I have been watching videos on youtube and Oscar Herreros lessons. Just in a few hours I have been able to improve by concentrating more on the sound I make and how my fingers are positioned.
I have noticed in the various videos I have watched that people have different ways of doing it. That's why I wanted `to ask you all if you would be kind enough to explain how you do it?
Where is your thumb positioned? Is it resting against the wood or balancing on the strings? Do you hit straight downwards or more sideways? How many strings do you strike? Do you make circular motions with your whole hand or keep it still?
RE: How do you do your rasqueos? (in reply to UnderTheSun)
quote:
Where is your thumb positioned? Is it resting against the wood or balancing on the strings? Do you hit straight downwards or more sideways? How many strings do you strike? Do you make circular motions with your whole hand or keep it still?
There are many different ways & each serves a purpose. Thumb can either be on bass strings (sixth, fifth, or fourth) or perhaps treble string if you want to limit the rasgueado to just one or two treble strings. Thumb can also be on wood above sixth string if you want to hit mostly the basses. The thumb can either be extended or flexed/bent. You usually never hit purely downwards, but more diagonally. Depending on the type of rasgueado, you can hit from one string to about three or four, or more if that's what you want. Average number of strings struck is three or four I would say. If you're flicking, some people prefer to do circular motions. If non-flicking, usually hand stays more still.
RE: How do you do your rasqueos? (in reply to UnderTheSun)
Hi, I think Ramzi's description is excellent. May I suggest that at some point soon you connect with someone here or elsewhere so that you can be sure that you are developing good habits with technique and not reinforcing bad ones? There are several people on this forum who would do a video lesson with you. I highly recommend it. I have had lessons with Ricardo Marlow and Grisha and know them personally. There are others too who a good teachers. Good luck and enjoy the journey!
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Joined: Jul. 12 2009
From: Washington, DC
RE: How do you do your rasqueos? (in reply to UnderTheSun)
I would concur with Ramzi's description with one exception. That some use a circular motion of the hand when flicking is no reason, in itself, to do so. Regardless of what some may do, I would caution against moving the hand while performing rasqueado, whether flicking or non-flicking. The hand should remain pretty much stationary in order not to get it out of place when you move into a falseta, arppegio, tremolo, or other movement. It requires a bit more discipline, but it is better not to have the hand flying around.
Bill
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