My Pinky and Rasgueado (Full Version)

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bbeardb -> My Pinky and Rasgueado (Aug. 25 2006 14:52:50)

So I have a problem with my pinky and I'm wondering if I'll every be able to do 5 finger rasgueados. It's hard to explain without looking at it so bear with me. It will not extend beyond my ring finger (a). For example, if my 'a' finger is pulled down into a fist (or ready to strike out for a rasgueado stroke), my pinky will not extend beyond my ring finger at my knuckle. The only free movement I have is from my second joint (or middle, however you want to look at it) out toward the tip. This gives me very little movement and power. We talking like three to four strings of movement if I'm lucky and very week sound. It usually just ends up striking out with my ring finger and it just sounds like crap (well, just about all my playing sounds like crap, but that's just because I don't practice...)

Another way to look at it. Imagine strapping your pinky and ring finger together at their base. Now the only independent movement you have in your pinky is from the second joint.

Anybody else have this problem or have seen somebody with this problem?



Miguel de Maria -> RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (Aug. 25 2006 15:40:53)

I can't speak to your condition specifically, but human beings are normally very good at grabbing, and not so much at flicking. (our ancestors brachiated, right?) Think how often you use any sort of flicking or lifting motion with your pinky or ring finger in daily life. I would suggest you do a lot of slow and cautious practice with these fingers and just see what happens. It's not easy for anyone.

On the bright side, the pinky isn't used much as far as I can tell in modern playing, and you can use the abanico-type (pam) triplets as a substitute in most situations. Or some other combination.



bbeardb -> RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (Aug. 25 2006 15:55:45)

I should note, this is not a problem in my left hand, just my right. It's always bugged me. I rememeber in middle school wondering why I couldn't do the "hang loose" sign with my right hand. I'd sit there and physically pull my right pinky finger up and my ring finger down with my left hand hoping I could "fix" it. So I don't think it's a muscle issue, I think it's some damn genetic tendon thing...



edgar884 -> RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (Aug. 26 2006 0:55:12)

Try to hook the pinky behind your thumb and flick it out as much as you can.



bbeardb -> RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (Aug. 30 2006 20:04:02)

Doesn't give me much more movement. Aren't you supposed to keep your thumb on the E string while doing this and flick your fingers out by having htem tucked into the palm?



bernd -> RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (Aug. 30 2006 20:21:16)

Hi bbeardb,

this works very well if you bow down the first knuckle of the thumb like a claw. If your thumb nail isn´t too long, then you can leave it - bowed down (!) - with its outside half part on the E string and hook easily the nail plates of the other fingers behind the thumb. It gives you as much movement as you may need.

I suggest to do the flick out motion this way a while without the guitar. The reason is you can hurt your tendons if you build up the tension with too much power.

Saludos
Bernd



edgar884 -> RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (Aug. 30 2006 23:05:27)

I was taught to curl the thumb and hook it behind the 6th string, so the first knuckle of the thumb is actualy tucked and touching the guitar while the fingers are hooked behind the thumb. It gives a strong rasgueado without doing it from the palm, which takes a while to get. I have noticed that most advanced players dont need to hook the fingers behind the thumb anymore, later it comes more from the palm.

I like the stronger more powerful which comes from behind the thumb .

Cheers.

However this is what I was taught, try your own.[:)]



bernd -> RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (Aug. 31 2006 8:17:14)

Edgar is absolutely right. Try both and find your own way. I found my way, because I can´t develope a powerful rasgueo from the palm.

Saludos
Bernd



Phil -> RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (Aug. 31 2006 20:47:51)

quote:

So I have a problem with my pinky and I'm wondering if I'll every be able to do 5 finger rasgueados


So, don't do a 5 finger rasgueo. As Miguel said, hardly any Flamenco guitarists use it anymore. Don't get hung up on something like this. There are all kinds of rasgueos that you can do instead. There's no point in knocking yourself out trying to do something that may be physically impossible for you, especially a technique that's not even necessary.

Just my 2 cents worth,

Phil



Patrick -> RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (Aug. 31 2006 22:18:24)

quote:

So, don't do a 5 finger rasgueo.


Patient: Doc it hurts when I do this.

Country Doctor: Then don't do it, you durn fool!

[:)]



bbeardb -> RE: My Pinky and Rasgueado (Aug. 31 2006 22:29:00)

Well, I've been wasting a lot of time then! [:@] I'll have to learn some new ones



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