rasgeuo swing thoughts

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Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

rasgeuo swing thoughts

Some of you might remember a post I made several months ago about "swing thoughts." A swing thought is a term golfers use, describing what they try to keep in their heads while they swing the club. One example is to "look for the dime under the ball." This trains them to keep their head, and thus body, level so they don't raise up and hit the ground instead of the ball. I like to use "swing thoughts" in my playing. It's a simple way to get your body to do something, using an image instead of complicated directions.

I've recently come across some neat ones for rasgeuo. What I noticed is that my fingers were flying all over the place, like three inches past the strings. Now, what good are they doing there? The fingers only play when they're touching the strings, not three inches past. So I wanted to train my hand to make more compact motions. These would have the effect of concentrating the power and economizing motion, with the result of fast and louder rasgeuo.

p-ma back and forth: This is a simple up and down motion, not a triplet. It's the loudest one, and very useful. I saw this a lot accompanying dancers in Sevilla when speed and power were necessary. The problem here is that you tend to swing your hand too wildly. So think: Back and Forth On the D and G Strings. You won't just play the d and g strings, of course; your hand will go all the way up and all the way down. But if you keep that in mind, it will result in the compact motion you need.

amii: Hit The Bass Strings. Again, you fingers will end up brushing most of the strings, but this will keep the motions compact.

p-ma triplet (marote): Back and Forth on the D and G Strings. This rasgeuo is often used for very powerful strums, but you don't have to use muscle to get the machine-gun effect. Keep the muscles of your wrist and digits relaxed. The motion, I believe, is more like flicking a towel than anything involving strength. And keeping it compact is the final part of that puzzle.

Good luck! If anyone else has any more "swing thoughts," please pass them on. I love them!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 26 2003 16:35:28

Billyboy

Posts: 389
Joined: Aug. 18 2003

RE: rasgeuo swing thoughts (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

I remember seeing a guitarist in London, and he's rasgeuo style you mentioned was as fast as most peoples triplets.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 26 2003 20:13:12

Thomas Whiteley

Posts: 786
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: rasgeuo swing thoughts (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

Good points!

Here is one rasgueado I like to use for dancers or when I want to be heard. (1) P (up) (2) m,A,M,I (down). The wrist does not move. Concentrate the center of the palm over the area of the strings of interest. It is not necessary to hit all the strings. You can play a three count by using the numbers above as counts one and two and add P (up) for count three. Repeat for a six count, etc. Also you can use (1) and (2) for each beat of counts one and two and (1) for count three.

This also works great for continuous rasgueado. It is amazing how many players have not tried this as I am always demonstrating it and the guys really like adding it to their arsenal of rasgueados.

Relax, play each note evenly and clearly. It will really wake up the house and it does not tire the wrist/hand/forearm! You use it when needed. Like any technique never over do it. Use when appropriate.

_____________________________

Tom
http://home.comcast.net/~flamencoguitar/flamenco.html

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 26 2003 21:22:11

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: rasgeuo swing thoughts (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

That's a good one, Tom, I just tried that. Althought I already have a few similar. Do you think there is a point when you stop learning new rasgeuos? I already have a lot of them! Not 101!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 26 2003 23:48:10

Thomas Whiteley

Posts: 786
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: rasgeuo swing thoughts (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

I think learning new things makes anything more fun. One reason I created 101 Rasgueados is because we have a hi way 101, and anyway I had to stop somewhere!

There are a few more rasgueados out there and they are variations of what I posted.

Rasgueados are one of the most important techniques for flamenco guitar. If you learn a few that work well for you that is all that is necessary. I just do not like teachers that limit students to thinking that they "invented flamenco" and only what they know is of value.

Take into consideration people have different shapped hands, etc,. abilities and most important, what does the music require? What you hear is perhaps not what someone else hears, so you produce your own sound. If it is acceptable then you are on the right path.

_____________________________

Tom
http://home.comcast.net/~flamencoguitar/flamenco.html

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 27 2003 1:35:42

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 27 2003 15:35:53

Thomas Whiteley

Posts: 786
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: rasgeuo swing thoughts (in reply to Guest)

Andy;

I have been asked by several people (some you know from the FT forum) how I can be 61 , a programmer, play flamenco guitar for over 45 years and have no problems with my hands or wrists! The answer is simple!

I was trained by people like Mariano Cordoba, who played for Antoino. You learn how to play without hurting yourself. I have offered my advice to many as I was taught. I can play louder than the average guitarist and for hours at a time. Sometimes at a juerga I will play for 12 - 14 hours. It does not bother me but then I follow the advice I was given.

Too bad several people I know here in the San Francisco Bay Area have hurt themselves playing flamenco guitar for dancers. Oh well, what can I do if others will not follow advice? How many flamenco guitarists of just 30 years ago injured themselves?

I know several well known Spanish guitarists who have serious injuries to their wrists. They insist on doing things incorrectly in the name of God knows what. Do not do what the old timers did - that is out moded! Be cool and do the latest greatest thing. Do not think that anyone who came before you knows anything. Only this weeks knowledge has value!

_____________________________

Tom
http://home.comcast.net/~flamencoguitar/flamenco.html

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 28 2003 1:35:14

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: rasgeuo swing thoughts (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

Okay, Tom, I am following your advice for the rasgeuo, especially by applying it to my favorite, the p up m down i down. Before I used a lot of wrist motion, but I am going to cut that out.

Can you give some suggestions on how to play arpeggios, picado, and alzapua without hurting myself? Thanks amigo viejo!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 28 2003 3:01:41