rasgueado

techniquesras-geh-AH-dohfrom Spanish (from rasguear, meaning to strum)

A flamenco guitar strumming technique using rapid, sequential finger strikes for rhythmic power.

In Depth

Rasgueado produces the explosive, percussive strumming that defines the flamenco guitar sound. The fingers of the right hand unfurl rapidly in sequence across the strings, each finger striking individually to create a continuous roll of sound. Variations include three-finger, four-finger, and five-finger rasgueados, as well as single-finger and thumb techniques. The speed and power of rasgueado require years of specific training and finger strength development.
Did you know?

The fastest rasgueado techniques produce individual finger strikes at rates exceeding 20 per second, faster than the human ear can distinguish as separate events.

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