Rhythm lessons

Spanish Guitar Rhythm Advanced Form: Basic with Muting and Rasgueado

Published: Sep 27, 2011

We are now ready to play the complete form of the Spanish Rhythm which incorporates both a Rasgueado and a muting step. Below are the details of the technique:

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

2. Rasgueado; four downward sequential strokes: Pinky (P) ,Ring (R), Middle (M) and Index (I)

3. Upward stroke with the Index finger (I)

4. Mute all the strings by spreading your fingers and resting your palm on the strings

5. Upward stroke with the index finger (I)

6. Final upward stroke with the index finger (I)

A variation of the above technique is to use the thumb for the first upward stroke, as below

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

2. Rasgueado; four downward sequential strokes: Pinky (P) ,Ring (R), Middle (M) and Index (I)

3. Upward stroke with the thumb (T)

4. Mute all the strings by spreading your fingers and resting your palm on the strings

5. Upward stroke with the index finger (I)

6. Final upward stroke with the index finger (I)