Flamenco Scales (Picado) by Vahagni

New album Imagined frequencies, just came out Sept.8th 2015. Check it out, thanks everyone!
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Vahagni demonstrating how to play Flamenco Picado for Fingerstyle 360 using a Cordoba Carmen guitar.
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Column Available in Fingerstyle360.com
www.vahagni.com

[@markslater6601]

Very rarely does one find instructional videos given with such precision and clarity. Many thanks.

[@zavainmardirossian8593]

Very good lesson Mr. Vahganian

[@musicnevinnomyssk]

Спасибо вам за ваши уроки! Вы мастер гитары!!!

[@JeffreyThomas]

Excellent work Vahagni! I still remember how insanely fast Anotonio Rey's picacdo is from when I studied with him.

[@corv2731]

Dude, you are unreasonably gifted at guitar. I am very excited to be learning flamenco, and I really appreciate your teaching style. You explain everything very clearly and patiently. Thanks so much, it's largely because of you that I'm getting so good so quickly. You are totally awesome. Thanks for everything.

[@liathmonther2750]

Thanks for the good info

[@JoLeng205000]

Hi Vahagni Your teaching is clear and fantastic! Hope you can post more video from beginner to pro!

[@klauswhitedreamer]

great technique, great playing, I love the flamenco style !...

[@robertoq125]

I learned a lot about how to increase my speed burst from your tutorial video. I'm excited to do these exercises you showed. Thank you.

[@EmanuelEstradaYarce]

Thanks, this is the best tutorial I've found about the picado technique. Very helpful

[@NMR200ful]

Your guitar is great I want to get one like it Give me the details of its model 👍

[@vahagni]

It’s a Cordoba that I believe is discontinued now :(

[@Anonim_Anonimovic]

I usually played free stroke, since I played classical music until now... Recently I started playing flamenco, and when I saw this video, I started playing rest stroke. Man, what a difference it makes, I immediatelly get that snappy flamenco sound...

[@MiguelBaptista1981]

But classical music on classical guitar also has the Apoiado technique, which are rest strokes. Is there a difference ?

[@HectorJulioSanchezInda]

Excelente lecciòn, Gran Maestro!!!!.

[@KuyaKano]

This has to be one of the most helpful, best explained, technique video I have seen for picado. thank you very much.

[@Feck_Boi]

Kuya Kano *Watch Ruben Diaz's videos then.*

[@sdiab]

@@Feck_Boi ruben diaz?lol

[@Feck_Boi]

sdiab *Yeah. Goes super in depth into everything flamenco, and also offers lessons as well.*

[@sdiab]

@@Feck_Boi I took 1 lesson with him and he wanted to sell his andalucian guitars . Your opinion but I dont believe in him at all

[@Feck_Boi]

sdiab *Really? I haven't taken a lesson from him but I found his videos I've seen to be very in depth.*

[@atrafanaschool]

Excellent tutorial.

[@mofoshrimp]

Probably the most important general rule with picado is to always alternate which finger starts the scale, so that both I and M have independence and strength. Play a scale starting with I, and then play the same scale starting with M. You can only go as fast as your weakest finger...

[@sambat3504]

That's my problem sir, when I start with index it's ok but when I do it with the middle finger that sucks. I tried hard but with no succes. thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial]

Subbed! You're awesome and have cool hair!

[@DiegoDeOro]

Excellent demonstration and video. One of the best I've seen on this topic. Looking forward to more! Saludos - Diego

[@AhmedShraim]

Excellent video. You are a great instructor.

[@robinirving8307]

Technique is fantastic! Thanks for this video

[@THETHINKINGMINDS]

Outstanding tutorial, thanks. What's your recommendation in buying a guitar with a very loud volume. I appreciate it.

[@roanmccormick6115]

great lesson bro thanks so much for sharing your valuable knowledge

[@SimonBishop779]

Excellent tips and very inspiring, too.

[@kentdemonbreun6047]

wow excellent video!! you explain things really well, and your technique is phenomenal. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos

[@santoshbaskey]

wonderful explanation without wasting time

[@NickC1975]

Nice video! I wonder what's the position of the thump for picado,is it more paralel to the strings or perpendicular,what kind of angle do you need to acheive this sound? Thanks,keep on!

[@alexboghossian04420]

great lesson. .....thank you and" parev "from France

[@ubershredder1989]

HI. My picado is pretty developed for the beginner-intermediate level. However, it seems I hit a plateau in my development, and I don't think it has to do with my right hand. I get a feeling my left hand is the culprit here and is not syncing with the right hand properly. Both of my hands are quite fast and accurate, however I can't seem to get that crisp and uniform sound when playing scales at a higher tempo. My question is specifically about *prepared playing* and *continuous contact*. We know that in picado one must play staccato in a 'walking' type fashion, in order to prepare the finger for the next stroke. I was wondering if the similar principles apply to the fretting hand, if there are any. So far what I have been doing for ascending passages: The notes in brackets are planted by the left hand simultaneously. So after I play the 7th fret on E string, I plant the pinky on the 8th string and at the same time, my index finger relocates from 5th fret on E string, to the 5th fret on the A string. After the 8th fret is plucked on the E string, the index finger is already planted on the next consecutive note, 5th fret on A string, making the string-switching transition sound smooth. D----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(5)------------7--- A---------------------------------------------------------(5)--------------7----------------(8)----------------------------- E-------------5-------------7-------------(8)------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have been doing similar with descending passages although it feels a little more tricky: D---------9-------------7--------------(5)------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------(8)------------7-----------(5)---------------------------------------- E------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(8)-----------7-----------5---- Is this a correct way to practice? Could you give me some advice or pinpoint me to some literature regarding this subject matter? Thanks ;)

[@fastrace25]

You are an amazing guitar player, thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@vahagni]

thanks for watching!

[@jsivanandham]

hi Vahagni..Very nicely explained and demonstrated with a good video of course..quite encouraging the speed and clean tone of the picado technique..thanks so much..warm cheers..siva..gtr..India..(guitsiva)..

[@misframed]

Perfect tutorial, thank you! Admire your style 👍

[@henrynoone3595]

thanks man . this is a great exercise for me. keep up uploading more things.

[@allan2098]

Thanks so much for the lesson maestro. I have been incorporating picado into my classical guitar pieces to liven some of the scale runs up and it works a treat. I have been practicing the 5 note chromatic exercise which works well but this is a step forward. Much respect from Wales! AL

[@MsShaolin777]

Nice!! This was short , sweet on point and it covered A LOT of what I was looking for! Ty!

[@mofoshrimp]

Cool video! Don't forget that there is not one exact "correct" shape to play picado. Though the general approach is similar, everyone's hand is different, and in the end everyone finds their own particular form. I have seen very advanced players do picado, some with fingers held almost entirely straight at every joint (Kilino Jimenez for example), while others have a much more curved shape wth each finger joint flexing a bit, like Paco de Lucia who greatly bends the first joint down from the knuckle. Start slowly, and gradually let your hand find the shape which it is comfortable with.

[@zouarets]

Love the guitar and the plant!!!

[@enriquecreator]

thank you so very much you are amazing guitarist and great instructor

[@Shredberry]

Gosh, I pick up Flamenco guitar and it's like day one getting a guitar all over. Question Vahagni, when you play 3 notes per string, do you keep track which finger you are starting with? If you are plucking each note, 3 notes per strings, it would be Index, Mid, Index then next would be Mid, Ind, Mid and so on. Do you keep track of that? I frequently find myself losing my position :( and that's how I know Im not plucking each note cleanly

[@vahagni]

Yes, always alternate, never use the dame finger twice in a row, also if you accent each 1st you will get it on i and the m and so on. Hope that helps!

[@vahagni]

Try accenting the 1st of the 3 notes every time. That will bring out the index and middle and give you a indication as well.

[@eildertvinkenborg4761]

Born a teacher ! Very clear explanation . Thank you , you were very helpful . I am not a bad player but fast picado was always my weakest point .

[@ATothFTW18]

Guess I'm a little late but incredible stuff. Thanks for the lesson

[@fabianoborges]

Nice video! I've just read that you were born in Erevan. I played in Armenia in 2011. It was a really nice experience! Good job and keep it up. Greetings from Brazil.

[@vahagni]

Thank you Fabiano, cheers!

[@CombinatorMusic]

Good work, man. I'm always trying to borrow from you flamenco guys to apply to bass! Flamenco players seem to have some of the fastest picado/pizzicato ability I've seen. As bassists, we're generally not too fond of playing with our nails, so I don't know how much of a factor that is, but I'm definitely still working on increasing prolonged speed with 2 fingers on the right hand, even after 20 years. Thanks!

[@vahagni]

+spfairchild #hadrienferaud :))Monster!

[@Feck_Boi]

*Thank you for the helpful video mate. I'm learning guitar too and it's awesome. Some amazing content up in here, I'm glad I found your channel. Hope to see and hear way more good videos like this. Liked and subbed for more good content and videos. Keep up the great work, wish you only the best and Peace! ✌👍*

[@Itapoajazz]

the best explanation ever..

[@elrojoJazz]

wow! amazing skill! Grisha Goryachev explained picado pretty much the same way. Nicely done.

[@jorgesantacruz3051]

Great video Vahagni! I have a question...while alternating the index and middle fingers and going up the scale, lets say if the index lands on the second string is it ok to repeat the finger, or do you loose speed and the alternating should be kept all throughtout?? thanks!

[@vahagni]

Thanks! always alternate.....always:) I had this problem of continuing up the strings with the same finger thats planted when I was a kid and first started practicing picado, it just naturally happens I guess, but its a very very bad habit that shouldn't go uncorrected. A very good exercise you can do is playing 3 notes, i m on first string followed by i on second string, then it will be m i on first string followed by m on second and on and on.

[@paulandlesson]

Great video!! Much to learn her. 5 stars!

[@accasvalde1862]

Thanks bro i like your style

[@---rm2gw]

this is actually a really good lesson

[@SuperRazmig]

can you please let me know when you play i wanna come and listen the way you play

[@johnmalcolm9980]

This is excellent information.

[@gouthambolt]

Do we need to do alternative strokes with the two fingers or just up strokes?

[@Vicsguitar432]

Thanks!! That helped a lot what scales do you recommend I should start practicing with!!!

[@wesmatron]

In this guy's hands, it's priceless.

[@rohan589]

MInd blowing video. I wonder if it's possible to play at the same pace using just your fingertips instead of nails?

[@vahagni]

+rohan589 Thanks! I wouldn't rule it out:)

[@viahney7200]

Thx for these very good exercices :)

[@rubenkoster1015]

With these speed bursts, I have problems starting with the M finger. Are there any tips of tricks for?

[@ThatPoyglot]

Ruben Koster if the problem happens when you switch strings you’ll want to look for another exercise to supplement this one... as this exercise doesn’t cover that problem. If the problem is just in hitting the 4 notes and starting with M then you will want to slow down the metronome and do the exercise at very manageable speed... then gradually speed up... this vid does a good job of showing the placement of the right hand in how it needs to slightly angled and the fingers need to be slightly bent so that the “attack” is level... that’s to say that your hand prob moves a bit when you start with M whereas it doesn’t move at all when u start with I... so then starting with M changes your hand posture or position and therefore throws u off. Hope that helps 🤙🏾

[@fishingwithlee9519]

Brother is that a camps guitar?

[@vahagni]

Its a Cordoba / Carmen Loriente model. Thanks!

[@ubershredder1989]

What are some rules for the *arm* posture in Picado? I see that it is substantially different from the tirando/arpeggio posture where the right arm hugs the bout of the guitar, for instance. I notice the elbow is elevated in order to allow for a more straightened wrist. What muscles are involved in this? Delts/lats? what are the roles of the joints? This approach makes me stiff, making it especially hard to do finer things like picado string -crossing. any suggestions?

[@vahagni]

Great questions! For me the key is in the shoulders. They have to be relaxed, also while trying to sit up right. Your arm shouldn't be too elevated above your shoulder, and try too let the hand fall naturally with gravity. For your fingers you are essentially using your 3rd joint for point of contact where the nail meets the flesh and your first joint in providing some more of the power and movement. While switching between picado and other techniques like arpeggio playing, try not to lift your elbow too much but rather take it back a bit allowing your inner wrist to get closer to the sound board for the correct angel. I should probably do a more detailed video for all this..... hope this helped a little. V

[@ubershredder1989]

@@vahagni hey mestro, thanks alot for the response! It would be great if you could do a video at some point as well ! ;)

[@vahagni]

@@ubershredder1989 You got it! Keep you posted....Thanks!

[@Bigtel1970]

Great tutorial! I'm trying to build the speed so this will help. Does nail shape affect the speed/dexterity too? Thanks!

[@vahagni]

yes actually, very much!

[@girishumar6313]

@@vahagni How much nail length should one have to achieve a good picado?

[@vahagni]

@@girishumar6313 Not too long, so that the flesh and nail meet at attack. But its also very personal, Ive seen guys with amazing picador who had pretty long nails, so just experiment until you find the sweet spot!

[@mohammadyousuf8977]

Mohammad Yousuf 1 second ago · Shared publicly sir can you please breakdown Amin toofani rythm the one which he did at last single string?? please make it easy '

[@MartinezC.]

Do you use your right pinky finger alot?

[@wojciechw.9974]

ive got some problem with fast picado because of my nails. Theye are abnormally curved and act like hooks when i try to play fast. You have any advice for me?

[@cguerrerocampos]

Does your third joint remain stiff or flexible? I mean if the string gently slide through your flesh while your third joint is flexible.

[@YELLOWNITA]

very good!!!

[@RebeccaNathanphotography]

thank you this is fantastic and you are brilliant

[@MrWallerand]

Hi, great lesson, thanks :). Are you self taught or have you gone some kind of music education at a university or musicshool of some sort? i'm searching around, would love too hear if you have any tips on what you think is the best way too properly learn flamenco? like good schools in spain or anywhere and good teachers et.c. (I'm far from beginner btw, but i've mostly played classical)

[@vahagni]

My father was a professional guitarist and he was my first and most important teacher. I studies in spain and have a Masters in music performance from California Institute of the Arts. But, most of the greatest Flamenco guitarists have no formal scholastic education, so if your trying to learn flamenco guitar I suggest you find a good private teacher or if you have the means take of to spain for some time and dive in. Thanks, best of luck! V

[@danm48]

almost all instruction on picado i have seen is centered on the right hand. my problem seems to be coordinating the left hand with the right. any suggestions. thanks!

[@vahagni]

very slow practice, so they start working as one. Good luck!

[@dr.joshuacoleman4216]

Good lesson. Thanks!

[@giorgiokeushgerian4257]

Thanks Vahagni

[@roybrewer7865]

good analysis man, thanks

[@PauloGutemberg123]

Awesome!

[@sonsoftheedelweiss72]

So this is traditional flamenco. I think I finally after years picked up on something: not sure. Continuous pressure on the strings, keeps the fingers closer and shorter in between strokes making one faster???

[@NotoriousFunk]

more or less, i come from classical but what you said is more or less how to study scales right. plus, preparing is the key for speed, for classical as for flamenco players. hope it help 8 )

[@johnmalcolm9980]

Am I wrong? The last note of the burst seems to be on the 1 of the next bar.

[@marwanjalil7574]

what is the type of ur guitar (full name)please? i wanna buy one like u have >

[@Feck_Boi]

Thank you, very great video!

[@VSantiago718]

This just blew my mind. It all makes so much sense now lol

[@christopherarendt3531]

Crazy man, I have been practicing for many years and this year I started doing so an hour or two every day. My consistency is not even in the same ballpark.. not just speed but, being able to play every note you intend to, at the right time, every time? Even in a tutorial? Dunno how you guys do it!

[@Guitarramistica]

Follow my advice I gave, it's all about the hand positioning in the guitar...if you have tension in any part of your hand that is an obstacle..there is a precise way to play picao and his explanation is very close excpt he did not explain the thumb positioning and the shoulder positioning..look at Niño de Pura DVD explanation at la Sonanta Clases my Picado have improve 8th fold..just by following his advice..Another great explanation is given by Ruben Diaz, he goes into very precise details given by Paco on how should the thumb be postioned and all those details..Hope this help

[@tr3ndkiller]

Thanks for this awesome video! Now I know I'm on the right track. Could you please share the string gauge you're using in this video? I keep going back and forth between hard/extra hard tension and normal tension, I've noticed that when I use D'Addario Ej44 (extra hard tension) my picados are faster as opposed to when I'm playing with La Bella 820b which are considered just "hard tension" but are actually stiffer than D'Addario.

[@vahagni]

strings are difficult to get perfect. I use a mix of hard tension and med hard. The strings that seem less firm or a bit floppy, I up the gauge. Also, some brands are weird in the way that a hard tension seems like med and vise versa. So its all trial and error until you find your comfort. Thanks!

[@amirayoussef89]

I want to buy that kind of guitar please how to get it

[@RunSlagathorRun]

when you say you take an arpeggio or a chord pattern and start playing around the key tone, here you used dm. I can not figure out for the life of me how you acquire these key tones you're playing around. as in for the A note you're not skipping a fret but for all the others you are. whats the process you used to find these "key tones" you are playing around?

[@vahagni]

great question. So if we have d natural minor, the arpeggio would be d, f, a like a triad. The notes around it come from the scale. So Im starting a half step before the key tone and going to the next note in the scale. thats why for a, in the scale the next note is b flat, and why you get the chromatic pattern. Hope that helps!

[@MrMrmrjayjay]

is it safe to say that play it like you're playing a bass guitar?

[@F1spa]

Can I ask something, is there something liquid in his nails, a glue or something like that? Doen anyone know?

[@vahagni]

I don't use anything on my nails, just natural:)

[@leehonam3664]

man,I can tell you that some musician use a kind of lotion or gel.

[@malahierva12]

What a passion!!!

[@kristo5615]

Hello sir. Does it matter whether i use rest stroke or free stroke, or do i have to use rest stroke. I find that my fingers flow better and a bit quicker when i use free stroke.

[@vahagni]

Thats totally up to the sound you want to get. read strokes or the Flamenco picador is a more aggressive sound and can be more staccato. You wouldn't call the technique "Picado" if your not resting, thats just free strokes. Hope that helps. Thanks!

[@RobertKarabetianNikotian]

Is that pot in the back?

[@vahagni]

yes.....

[@pauldepter6031]

is picado and apoyando the same? (both reststrokes)

[@timpenfield5]

guys a genius

[@javisuck]

muchisimas gracias!!!!

[@SuperAllpacino]

May ask you about your guitar please? what brand and model i s it?

[@vahagni]

Cordoba Carmen :)

[@phoggee]

wish you did more lessons!!

[@vmars316]

Great stuff , Thanks ! But I am confused by the 5-note practice . Pls , what exactly is the pattern ?: i m a m i or i m a i m ? Thanks...Vernon

[@vahagni]

all with i and m

[@osos632]

how long does it take to play this technique like you if training is 1/2 hour daily

[@jinojikitomo5065]

Around a month for me, but you have to do it everyday 2 hours for real tho if you wanna learn it quickly

[@VisionsAreScary]

Do you have any advice on 5 stroke tremolos? I'm wondering if it's easier to alternate with your four fingers instead of 3. (P.C.A.M.I. > P.A.M.I.M)

[@fullTankard]

I'm interested in this as well. If you happen to get an answer please message me too, man.

[@georgianafilip290]

Kliiiiuuuuyyewq. M.....

[@georgianafilip290]

Kliiiiuuuuyyewq. M.....

[@gstrummer]

sooo helpful. thank you!!

[@mountainmango]

Great stuff! Thank you very much.

[@Paulholzherr]

Thank you! I often see flamenco players using a capo. Can you tell me why?

[@vahagni]

It was used to switch keys for singers, some sang high and some low depending on their voice and range and key preferences. So Flamenco guitarists at the time couldn't play in B flat for example and still use the same positions with the open strings and typical flamenco voicing, thus the capo just made life easier to play in any key without learning that key hahaha. But now days, as guitarists are more educated and can easily play in different modes and keys, its more of a timber thing, and some feel they get a better and tighter in your face Flamenco sound with the capo. Hope this helps.

[@zootchannel380]

FANTASTIC

[@2012brianew01]

Thankyou so much, a great lesson

[@YiloQuinones]

Excellent!