How To Play “AMII” Rasgueados (EASY!) • Flamenco Guitar Technique

[@BedeLaplume]

This has to be one of the best explanations I've seen and I've seen a couple..

[@lucienne66]

Ah, this makes it clear-thank you Diego!!

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Hi everyone! I will start posting more videos very soon and will dedicate my channel to technique, practice strategies and performance. Please let me know what kind of videos you'd like to see on my channel and I'll do my very best to accommodate as many requests as I can. Thanks!

[@peteranthonyofthefamilybir18]

WOW.. such a GOOD video..! I'm thinking.. THIS information just saved me months,, maybe years of trial and much error. 🌺 Thank You

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

This is so great to hear! You’re very welcome 👍🏽🙂

[@lassibanjo]

The best instruction I've found. Thank you!

[@hersoveela]

What a great sound. Good lesson mate

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Thanks a lot! Glad you found the lesson helpful. I’m planning on adding more videos soon focusing on technique, practice strategies and flamenco lessons. If there’s anything specific you’d like to see on my channel please let me know. Thanks again!

[@omprakashchhaya674]

Well explained

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Thank you so much for your comment!

[@bcnzpb]

You are an excellent teacher.

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Thank you! Please stay tuned. I am working on a series of new videos to upload soon! :)

[@souravsharma9208]

Very helpful.... great help....plz upload more videos...i m following ur lessons....

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Thank you! Yes, I'll definitely do that. I am working on a series of new videos to upload soon! :)

[@Scubaz]

I have to admit it, now that I'm stuck with learning new flamenco techniques, your channel has brought a new shining light to my guitar journey. I just have one question, is there a correct finger to perform the golpe? I've always used my middle finger, but I see throughout flamenco musicians that the ring finger is more used.

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Hi! I’m glad you’re fishing the videos useful! There are more coming soon so please stay tuned. The ring (“a”) finger is the primary finger used for the golpe under the 1st string. You can also use “a” and “m” (middle) at the same time in certain circumstances, but defaulting to “a” will usually work best.

[@Scubaz]

@@DiegoAlonsoMusic thank you so much for your help, I already turned on the bell for the notifications, you are so gentle and sincere with everyone

[@Recaptain7]

Muito bacana parabéns

[@alexandercruz2617]

To do it continuously ? Do use just the index on the way up? Or the middle one too ? Also how close do you get to the palm before extending open again ?

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Hi Alexander! Just use the index (“I”) finger on the way up. I’m working on a whole series of videos to explain rasgueados a lot more so please stay tuned for that. The fingertips should get only about 2 cm from the palm. Hope this helps!

[@alexandercruz2617]

@@DiegoAlonsoMusic Will definitely keep on eye out for those further videos! Thanks for the fast reply btw, I'll try practicing with a "smaller" reach on my fingers.

[@Density133]

Thanks Diego. I've been doing these AMII exercises for years. I can never progress to a continuous Rasdueado no matter what. Am I missing something? I've done them very slowly, using a metronome but it's a mystery what will turn this into the continuous one we all want to do. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Hi there, Thanks for your comment! I’d recommend doing short speed-burst chains. For example, A->M quickly several time. Then M->I quickly several times. Then I->I quickly. Then start adding a finger to build you chain: A-M-I, M-I-I, I-I-A, I-A-M. Make sure to relax completely between each repetition and stay as loose as possible.

[@timsmith3802]

Brilliant

[@Nemo22888]

That's awesome explanation, but how to get to such speed? The accent should be on I finger going up? Can't make it sound continious ;(

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Hi Andrey! There are several strategies to build speed. They all start with the overarching rule to keep the fingers loose and light. Avoid playing with unnecessary tension because that will slow you down. For the accents, I recommend practicing your accents on different fingers so that your overall rasgueado sounds balanced. Once it does, you can chose to accent one finger over another. I hope that helps!

[@Sun__1955]

You are the best ❤️❤️❤️

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Thank you again Gian 09! I am very happy to know that you’re enjoying the videos!

[@Sun__1955]

@@DiegoAlonsoMusic 👍 hot hugs from Italy 🤗🤗🤗

[@sikandalkarizma7561]

it may easy for some people, but for me it's final boss of hardest game.

[@lionbear7047]

That was an awesome lesson. Thank you.

[@leighcecil3322]

👍

[@alexgriffiths2873]

Can I ask a question? Is there a difference between using the pinky for this, as in: e a m i for the four strokes, and doing it the way you suggest: a m i and upstroke with i? Just I've heard some teachers say you shouldn't learn the 3 finger technique and should learn to do it with the pinky. Is it just personal preference?

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Hi Alex! Good question! I would highly recommend practicing both. For me the choice comes down to the sound that I want in a specific musical phrase. Practicing both options increases your sound palette and can make your playing much richer. Hope this helps! :)

[@alexgriffiths2873]

@@DiegoAlonsoMusic Thanks for the reply! I've been practicing it with 4 fingers but I find the pinky is too weak to make an impact. I actually prefer your method because you can get a really strong first hit with the third finger!

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Hi Alex! You're very welcome. Also, I would recommend playing your rasgueados with your hand and fingers very relaxed. That said, when you practice make sure to use a full dynamic range (i.e., very quiet, medium, loud, very loud). This variability in volume will help consolidate your technique so long as your hand stays relaxed. Enjoy!

[@lex8459]

What do you call this exercise you just show? Can I use metronome while exercising this? I am really having a hard time doing rasgueados.

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Hi Lex! Apologies for such a delayed reply! This rasgueado is the A-M-I-I rasgueado. You can definitely use a metronome. Just make sure to produce an even rhythm between each finger.

[@StuartwasDrinkell]

I cant seem to keep my thumb from straightening. I have to really concentrate to keep it bent my nail face is parallel with the sound board.

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Hi Stu! I find that it’s more about concentrating on relaxing the thumb rather trying to bend it. If you relax the thumb enough it will naturally bend - although it may bend very little. The main point is that so that the thumb should not interrupt the contraction of the index and that you can comfortably get the finger nails for IMA above the 6th string. I hope this helps! If you need more detailed coaching on this please reach out and we can set up a quick lesson: [e-mail]. Thanks Stu!

[@StuartwasDrinkell]

@@DiegoAlonsoMusic hey thank you Diego really appreciate this advice!

[@nanla2851]

Hi, thank you for these amazing tips! I have been practicing the rasgueado now for a few weeks, and when I try to play a chord, I still hear the sound of my nails ‘scraping’ over the strings. It’s the same sound you get when you are playing with dampened strings, but then together with a chord. Do you perhaps have any tips on how to avoid that sound? Will it disappear with practice?

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Hi Nan! You're very welcome! You should always hear a little bit of a raking sound when you do these kinds of rasgueados -- they sound more flamenco that way. But to minimize the sound of the raking make sure to snap each finger through the strings quickly (but make sure to keep your fingers loose, note tense). I hope this helps!

[@rubenkoster1015]

Great lesson! But i cant get a rolling sound out of it. What am i doing wrong? :)

[@zakaryayousef]

Did u get it?

[@rubenkoster1015]

@@zakaryayousef yes

[@zakaryayousef]

@@rubenkoster1015 👏 congrats, in how many months?

[@rubenkoster1015]

@@zakaryayousef thanks! Uhm a couple months. Patience and persistence is the key

[@zakaryayousef]

@@rubenkoster1015 good luck 🙌

[@nechastivi3187]

I don't know why but rasgueados work only with starting with index, middle etc. When I start with little finger timing start to collapse( I can keep time with my way). Is it wrong?

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Technically the rasgueado should extend starting with the 3rd or 4th fingers (e.g., a-m-i or c-a-m-i respectively). I would highly recommend sticking to one or both of these standard directions. That said, I have met 2 guitarists who extend in the opposite direction (i.e., i-m-a-c) and they play pretty well but, again, I wouldn't recommend it. I'd recommend playing in the standard direction but try playing lightly (relaxed) and slowly. Aim for your best sound with a light and loose touch first. Then start adding in rhythm. If you're stuck and would like to work on trouble shooting strategies, send me an email: [e-mail].

[@rikjansen4224]

Does drinking red wine and practicing this make me better?

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

😂 It certainly makes me think I’m better!

[@rikjansen4224]

@@DiegoAlonsoMusic I can now pretty confidently say, 1 glass does but stay away from any more than that! Oops

[@ubershredder1989]

When you play rasgueados, I see you extend your fingers outward (from the guitar) a little, to give your palm a *concave* shape. I also see that you keep the fingers separated/stretched apart from each other (which is the opposite of how one plays arpeggios ??) .. Is there a reason for this? Do you do it conscientiously? Thanks

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

I’m actually not actively separating my fingers. Instead I’m making sure they’re as relaxed as possible. It just looks like I’m separating them because when you extend your fingers naturally they will separate a bit from each other. When your contract it’s the opposite.

[@abdallahalmasry3189]

nice but its very Difficult i need more about rasgueaados

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

Hi Abdallah! Please stay tuned! I’m in the process of recording an entire series of Rasgueado tutorials that should help. Click the notification bell and select “all” so that you know when I post them. Thanks again!

[@sergiojaenlara2091]

You seem a tall guy, just like me, I think that is the reason of your posture and why you don't rest the arm completely on the guitar, Am I wrong? Your lessons are great, will be great one about picado.

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

I’m not that tall actually; I just have really long monkey arms! But yes, that’s exactly why I can’t rest my bicep on the guitar (except for some rasgueados and thumb techniques). The key is to keep your right wrist from lateral and medial bends. Slight flexión is ok and desirable.

[@poodle3507]

@@DiegoAlonsoMusic so essentially, keeping the wrist as straight as possible?

[@DiegoAlonsoMusic]

There should be a slight bend in the wrist. Too straight will make it uncomfortable..