The Spanish Rhythm – Basic Form | Guitarabia - Arabic Guitar Tabs, Chords, and Rhythms

The Spanish Rhythm - Basic Form

This Rhythm is widely used in playing Arabic music. We are calling it Spanish because it resembles (in its complete form) some Spanish flamenco rhythms.

The basic technique is an introduction for the fundamental movement, once you get the hang of it, you will move to more advanced rhythms. We will basically be filling in between the strokes of the basic rhythm to create a richer and fuller sound.

The technique for basic rhythm is illustrated in the figure below and the accompanying video:

1. Downward stroke with the thumb (T) on the Bass note only.

2. Downward stroke of all of the chord’s strings with the index finger (I)

3. Upward stroke with the index finger (I)

4. Another upward stroke with the index finger (I)

5. Final downward stroke with the index finger (I)

A variation of the basic technique is to use the thumb for the third stroke (the first upward one). This technique might be better to use as it is easier to add a palm mute step (covered later) and/or a Rasgueado (four sequential strokes instead of the index finger’s single stroke, also covered in later lessons). The steps for this alternative form are:

1. Downward stroke with the thumb (T) on the Bass note only.

2. Downward stroke of all of the chord’s strings with the index finger (I)

3. Upward stroke with the thumb (T)

4. Upward stroke with the index finger (I)

5. Final downward stroke with the index finger (I)

Another variation of the basic technique is to use the thumb for both the third and fourth strokes (the two upward ones), as below

1. Bass note of the chord is hit downward with the thumb (T)

2. Downward strokes of all of the chord’s strings with the index finger (I)

3. Two upward strokes with the thumb (T)

4. Final downward stroke with the index finger (I)

This wraps it up for the basic Spanish rhythm technique. Next we will make the Rhythm sound richer by adding what we call a Rasgueado to the strokes of the basic form.

Akabbara says:

on 2011/10/29 at 12:05 pm

What are the chords played in this basic rhythm?

Guitarabia says:

on 2011/10/29 at 12:09 pm

Hi!
The chords are Am, G, F, E
check lessons>chords section to know how to play the chords

Ali Hummos says:

on 2011/12/26 at 5:58 pm

I'm trying to figure out the timing of this rhythm. Of course you can pick it up from the video but if I do that I wouldn't be true to my anal self.
Does anyone know what Arabic rhythm does this translate to? My best guess is Malfuf, but I'm not certain.
http://www.maqamworld.com/rhythms/muwashahat1.html

fadiqa says:

on 2011/12/28 at 7:53 am

Hi Ali, I am not sure either about the name of the Arabic Rhythm, but i also think its the Malfuf arabic rhythm

advbroma says:

on 2012/04/06 at 9:56 pm

ممكن لو سمحت تبين لنا الكوردات بتلعبها ازاى بالفيديو انا عارفهم بس انا بقابل مشاكل جامدة جدا مع كورد F لانك تقريبا بتلعبوا F Sharp
مستنى ردك

Guitarabia says:

on 2012/04/10 at 2:17 pm

مرحبا advbroma , الكوردات هي Am, F, G, E موجودة في دروس الكوردات: http://www.guitarabia.com/essons/chords/

mokkatsheeno says:

on 2012/04/10 at 7:37 pm

اول فيديوهين مش شغالين والتالت تمام

emad_ik says:

on 2012/04/14 at 7:59 pm

mokkatsheeno,
All the videos are working for me.

yasserco says:

on 2012/07/09 at 10:04 pm

thanks a lot Guitarabia

شكرا كثير لك . انا تعلمت السولو قبل وحاليا احاول تعلم الكورد والايقاع. والدرس هذا( النموذج الاساسي ) مرة ممتع وسهل لكن يحتاج لممارسة اكثر حتى تتعود اليد. شكرا جزيلا لك اخوي

Guitarabia says:

on 2012/11/29 at 11:10 pm

اهلا وسهلا فيك بالموقع يا ياسر

Momo says:

on 2013/01/03 at 1:26 pm

N!CE , keep going

Dante says:

on 2013/01/20 at 4:18 pm

thnx very much i was look for a site like this for a long time
thnx again

draman says:

on 2013/09/28 at 12:08 pm

ممتاز هايل اللع يباركلكم شباب

draman says:

on 2013/09/28 at 12:09 pm

*الله

Abdulla Almuhairi says:

on 2014/06/11 at 10:57 pm

الشرح جداً سريع

Guitarabia says:

on 2014/06/12 at 5:57 am

مرحبا عبداللة ,
في وسط الفيديو تجد الإيقاع بالعرض البطيئة , في بداية الفيديو نلعب الإيقاع كما هو في السرعة العاديه لتعريف المتعلم بالإيقاع وكيفيه ضوته في السرعة الطبيعيه
اهلا وسهلا

Ziad Feteha says:

on 2014/11/29 at 5:57 am

ما هو الbass فى الكردات مثل فى g كورد

amjad says:

on 2015/07/23 at 10:40 pm

شكرا شرح بسيط ولكن مهم شكرا

Faisalo says:

on 2019/07/01 at 3:25 pm

الله يعطيك العافية على الشرح
لكن ممكن تعطينا افاني تنعزف بالايقاع هذا عشان نمارس عليها

Katy_Safwat says:

on 2021/05/27 at 4:44 pm

Thank you so much for your great effort!!