Variations to the Basic Spanish Rhythm
A variation of the basic Spanish Rhythm 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:
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
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.