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I just ran across some photographs in a newer guitar book that pictured the Rasgueado being played as (index first...) ima. The description also said to play the index first so I know the pics were not out of order. This goes against everything I have read or seen. Does anyone do this? Is this a usable technique or is the book in error? Thanks for help.
Posts: 786
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: San Francisco Bay Area
RE: Newbie Question on Rasgueado (in reply to molinee)
On my web site I have a document named “101 Rasgueados”. I stopped at 101 but there are many more. 101 is a famous hiway here in California so that was a good place to stop.
You will get arguments about the proper way to play a rasgueado and what is acceptable. My opinion is that the rasgueado must properly express the sound and emotion that corresponds to the palo you are playing. Then again remember I am from the old school so in keeping with the new school, anything goes!
RE: Newbie Question on Rasgueado (in reply to Guest)
well if you try to do a "air" rasgueado once from xami then imax you´ll find the imax to be much more tense and un-natural. of course you can develop it anyway. But i wouldn´t put more strain on the hand than what is good.
besides it´s amazing you even found a book that would suggest such a thing. nobody to my knowledge has never use it.
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Posts: 15725
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Newbie Question on Rasgueado (in reply to molinee)
I have seen a few people do this, and it works. But they are invariable self taught players, that never learned or hung out with others. No one would be the wiser based on sound alone. Perhaps it is an error, perhaps it is actually the way the author does it. There are no wrongs or rights assuming it sounds good and is in rhythm. Techniques are a means to an end.
RE: Newbie Question on Rasgueado (in reply to molinee)
Seeing a few wanted to know the book..... It is called Total Guitar by Terry Burrows, copyright 2000. It is a really nice hardcover with 256 pages and lots of color photos, etc. It tries to cover most everything about guitar, hardware, styles, acoustic, electric, chords, recording, etc. So it is not dedicated to Flamenco. I bought it at Barnes and Noble for about $12 or so. On page 143 it covers the Rasqudado technique with four big colored pictures. The first picture shows, and has text stating, to make a loose fist and hold all of your fingers above and behind the sixth string (bass E). The second picture says to Bring the first finger (shows index) down from bass E to treble E with the tip of the fingernail. The third picture shows and says To bring the second finger (index) down the same way. And the final picture says to Bring the third finger down the same way. So it appears that at least one player strums this way .. LOL. As a beginner to Flamenco it appears that "my fingers" want to naturally strum down (bass E to treble E using (imae) and that the opposite way seems strange. From what I am hearing, it appears that the vast majority (if not all) serious players Do Not Use imae, so my question is Why?. Does the eami strum allow for an easier transition into something else or is it used because "That's the way it was always done". -Thanks to All for helping out a newcomer.... Much Appreciated.
RE: Newbie Question on Rasgueado (in reply to Miguel de Maria)
Juan Serrano teaches in his books an ixami rasguado. Like Miguel stated, when Juan plays it, it sounds great. One advantage of doing it this way is that for most people the i is stronger then the x so if you do xamii you start with a weak stroke vs the ixami which you start with a strong stroke, makes the rasguado have a stronger attack and sharper feel.
Personally I found that doing ixami is easier if you want to have an all down stroke rasguado (though most of the time I end up doing amii)
RE: Newbie Question on Rasgueado (in reply to molinee)
Molinee, I have that same book (although it cost me £20! ). Bear in mind that it is a "cover everything possible about the guitar in 250 pages" type book. But by its sheer nature, it is literally IMPOSSIBLE for the author to do this, and he simply cannot be an expert on every subject featured in the book.
The book is intended to give someone interested in the subject a brief overview of all the different areas. Flamenco included, which is why the section on Flamenco is only 4 pages long!!!
If you are serious about studying Flamenco, I would recommend PROFESSIONAL tuition. ie. from a professional FLAMENCO GUITARIST, not an author. This can be in the form of actual lessons, or studying via specialized tuition books.
If you choose the tuition books, its best to go with a recognised one, like the Graf Martinez book (which is excellent, and has a useful DVD that accompanies the series), or the Juan Martin books.
Both these guys are pro Flamenco guitarists, who (hopefully) know what they're talking about.
Posts: 907
Joined: Mar. 13 2006
From: Vancouver, Canada
RE: Newbie Question on Rasgueado (in reply to molinee)
I've seen an Ocsar Herrero video which shows the rasguea'o pretty nicely.
I'm not at the point yet where I'm ready to attempt Flamenco, but I have been collecting and viewing/reading sources. His video was pretty compared to some of the other stuff I've seen.
Printable Version
). Bear in mind that it is a "cover everything possible about the guitar in 250 pages" type book. But by its sheer nature, it is literally IMPOSSIBLE for the author to do this, and he simply cannot be an expert on every subject featured in the book. 
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