Flamenco guitar lesson - Picado (rapid alternate picking)

[justsmilehomie]

Really helpful. Thanks man.

[ssbphotography]

i guess i'd better get out of bed

[alvaromanudo]

hey man, i have a doubt... when i am doing picado for a long time i get this pain in the right part of the right arm near the little ball...is it a failure in my technique or its only a temporary pain ?

[alexi383cc]

wow ive been trying to pick without resting on the above string...this makes it easier... thanks dude

[kerova2705]

thanks for the vid. I have a question/ doubt for you, and i wonder if this has happened to anyone else. When I play this technique with rest stroke, what happens to me is that I play it normally on the way down, but on the way back up I use the middle finger, dully on an even stroke, but when I move a string up I repeat the middle finger stroke since I find using the upward motion of the hand much more efortless. But overall I guess its not a very "clean" approach. Thanks!

[tnuh55]

27 idiots who don't have a clue what this is all about yet still felt obliged to register a dislike

[spareaxe]

WTF is this?

[hersoveela]

@spareaxe It is what it it says it is on the tin. "Flamenco guitar lesson - Picado (rapid alternate picking)." Have you read some of the comments. That would have given you some more clues. So tell me, What do YOU think it is? And just so I can use your comment (and any reply) in my next psychology class, why are you so surprised by such an obvious demonstration? I await your enlightening answer.

[venpresath]

@spareaxe it's fucking hard that's what it is lol

[hersoveela]

@princeastu ....Continued. So you are right, since picado basically means alternating, you can play picado with apoyando or tirando. The other distinction I like to make is that picado (played apoyando) is executed with much less flex and more striking power and volume in the fingers than the traditional classical guitar apoyando. If you tried playing really fast runs with the flexible classical style you would not get very far and it would sound weak and clumsy.

[hersoveela]

@princeastu Picado can be defined as playing with alternating fingers, usually with i and m, rather than meaning exactly the same as rest stroke.

By this definition you can also alternate using free stroke as well as apoyando, so Picado can be both free stoke and rest stroke.

However, who wants to play picado with free stokes. Most flamenco picado is rest stroke. If you come across a flamenco player who plays free stroke picado, I would be interested to know. All my picado is rest stroke.

[cornholio530]

the first ten seonds sounded lk heart beats

[gonnaeacha]

Do you have both fingers hit the String At the same time? Or are you alternating?

???

[hersoveela]

alternating

[urmomandad]

@gonnaeacha probably late, but hes doing what is known as a "Rest stroke" Usually your altering between the I and M finger, basically you play one string and rest it on the other, just alternate. First thing I learned.

[hersoveela]

@gonnaeacha I guess that's why I made this video. Have a close look and you will see that only one finger hits the string at any one time. It's like walking. One foot after another. When one finger (foot) touches the string the other lifts off. How can you walk with two feet on the ground at once.

[Suckertje]

@hersoveela you can jump with 2 feet xD

[Judplay]

Hey Sal, I've watched many of your instructional YouTube videos and get a lot out of them. This posting on picado is especially helpful, showing how important it is to make each string strike of equal time value or duration, so the effect is distinctly stacato and flamenco. You're a great teacher, Sal. Thanks much!

[farfazzi]

I can't do that :p

maybe too long nails is bad for rest strokes?

[MadeInChileBornInNor]

u know its a special technique u need to "shape" ur nails ... it isnt just letting ur nails grow.. i tryed that before believe me :P

[elcabronazo1961]

Paco largely uses i and m for his scales,but it is well known that for the scale at the end of Monesterio de sal he used a m i for the triplet run on the 1st string before switching to i and m for the final scale.

[MarkTempesta]

Sorry but I'm a bit confused... Isn't the tecnique you're showing called apoyado? I thought that in the picado you hadn't to do the reststroke...

[hersoveela]

Picado can be defined as playing with alternating fingers, usually with i and m, rather than meaning exactly the same as rest stroke.

By this definition you can also alternate using free stroke as well as apoyando, so Picado can be both free stoke and rest stroke.

However, who wants to play picado with free stokes. Most flamenco picado is rest stroke. If you come across a flamenco player who plays free stroke picado, I would be interested to know. All my picado is rest stroke.

Sal

[MarkTempesta]

Ty Sal now it's much clearer! ;)

[Mahavishnu80]

Could you tell me if Paco De Lucia uses 3 or 4 fingers for picado in his compositions? I dont see how it is possible to use I and M with rest stoke for 32nd notes at high speed.

[hersoveela]

Too my knowledge Paco de Lucia uses only I and M fingers for picado.

[Gilsams]

So even the fastest picado runs are done with rest strokes?

[asxefv]

yeah my friend does with rest stroke and faster than this ... but i can't get it it's different from classical one

[dpapaioannow]

can i use this technique with the ring finger too for a 3rd stroke?also i find it easier to play without long fingernails maybe iam not used to play with them cause i dont like having them...what's the sound difference with a fingernail?the sound has more attack?

[lester0091]

did u use staccato??

[hersoveela]

Yes. I personally aim for a staccato sound.

Sal

[mitchellism]

darf vader??

[Luchito316]

Hello, Sal,do you have this video en videotape I don't have too much time in the computer I want to learn more!.my time is 90% on my Truck,big thank.

[hersoveela]

Sorry. No videotape.

Sal

[Luchito316]

Ok, so what is your opinion? please help me!

[amityaadav]

Hi Sal, you know I've never had a teacher in my life, and have always learned my techniques online. You were one the 1st person i watched online explaining flamenco techniques back in 2002, 6 years!!! I read on your website about the history of flamenco and all then. And even today when I am looking for more techniques i still find your teachings very helpful. I've always enjoyed your humor as well. Thank you for being a virtual teacher to all of us. Please continue to post more and more.

[EVO83]

Amazing .... but i cant do it :( ... do i need long nails for this ?

[hersoveela]

Nails help a lot. But not too long.

Sal

[francy4ever1]

è la mia sveglia alla mattina :)

[Aligator57]

xDDD

[3eowvlf]

nothing wrong with an old guitar

adds a bit of character hehe

[rokuronium]

Thank you for your demo. I've read your webpage but your opinions are as passionate as your flamenco ;) Can you tell us how you started learning guitar or flamenco so we can better understand them?

[hersoveela]

This information is on the website too. Click on the "About me" link in the menu at the top of the page.

Sal

[pakokocarlos]

You need to buy a new guitar, sorry, I can't speak very well english. Ok, the sound is harsh (¿Did you understand me?) I think you need a new guitar or new ropes (¿ropes? xD)

A lot of kisses from spain "Un saludo a todo el mundo, y tio, comprate una guitarra jajaja"

[hersoveela]

I understand you perfectly. You are not the first to suggest I need a new guitar.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sal

[lovermann]

Don't pay attention. Your guitar is wonderful! It sounds amazing in your hands!

[fangerpicker]

This is the same for classical guitar as well... Note that the finger that "mutes" the previous stroke is already in position for its own pluck. Very important. Also, you MUST practice this slowly and accurately to have any hope of speeding it up correctly. Try using a metronome, doing one pluck every OTHER click... then one EVERY click... then TWO per click...

[AadiD]

The only suggestion you need is in the video. Learn that basic motion then do it faster. There is nothing more to speeding up this technique (or any other) than repetition.

[PrinceTian]

cool!

[tunahanwxq]

komık bu ya

[youcantkillnick]

the breathing kinda freaks me out dude...

[salut151]

lol.

[hersoveela]

If you have to ask, then this "lesson" without words will have no value to you. But that's cool. Trying to explain it here in this message box will not make the lesson any clearer if you don't see the point of it in the video. Thanks for visiting.

[baymagic]

Dear hersoveela ! Thank's for all shared video.

Regards.

[the4445]

faster! faster!

[Fuzzyboy1976]

This is by far the most easy to understand techniques i have seen,no need to even talk,but i would like to know how to trim shape the NAILS so i can have a pure clean sound on the strings ,are there ways to shapen the nails or just grow them anyway ? thanks!

[viabetty]

sorry can you give me your web address i just dont know how to get to it!

[hersoveela]

I can't put it here in this message box. Click on the link in the video description on this page

[viabetty]

do you know that person playing?

[hersoveela]

My name is Sal Bonavita.

I am the person playing.

hersoveela is my YouTube nickname and this is an anagram of Shore Leave. My home is Atlantis and I occasionally visit dry land when I have to visit the chemist to buy some more medication for my pet octopus. My website is

herso(dot)freeservers(dot)com

[viabetty]

do you have a pet octopus?

[viabetty]

are you spanish originally

?

[hersoveela]

no and no

[csybu]

lol:-)

[viabetty]

kk hey thanks for being the only person ansering me...do you play spanish guitar?

[hersoveela]

Learn more about what I play at my website

[viabetty]

is that not just like the tremolo?

[hersoveela]

Yes. Same basic principle.

[guitar1amore]

thanks - now i'm on my way with this technique! mucho gracias

[pinballkingpin]

Is the alternate rest stroke mandatory?

[hersoveela]

here's no law that says you HAVE TO and you won't go to jail if you don't. But you won't get much control or speed if you don't alternate. Let's just say that rest stroke alternation is the sensible standard for any serious guitarist. If you can demonstrate a better method I will be the first to consider it. Damn! I'll try anything if it makes me a better guitarist.

[t4stringer]

ive just recently gotten interested in broadening my musical horizons on the guitar and your lessons are by far the best flamenco lessons that i know of although sometimes i do find it hard to tell which fingers are doing what

[hersoveela]

Basically, Yes. For a more detailed reply you will have to ask Paco de Lucia.

[jcaff89]

is this what paco de lucia does when he plays those really fast runs?

[fridrikur]

Wonderful lessons!

Your lessons are pure dynamite!

You deserve a better microphone and recording system in general.

[santhony1987]

^For sure. Thanks.

[1gregmichael]

this is great ...sal's...doing a great service to people.

[hersoveela]

There is no such thing as a definitive fingernail length for picado. What is ideal for one person may not be so ideal for someone else. Start short and experiment to find YOUR ideal.

[Newton1692]

Hey, thanks for all your advice. I have seen most of your videos ( if not all of them ). Who is your favorite guitarist at the moment?

Oh yeah, have you ever seen fingershredder? He's got a few videos that are incredible.

Thanks.

[reawx]

Thanks for the lesson!

Does anyone know ideal fingernail length for picado? If they're too long is it difficult? Of all the techniques, I find this one to be the slowest to learn.

[PICLex]

I've heard that you should practice picado for only 15 mins/day. Is there any good reason for this, or is 4 hours ok ?

[piteryu]

buena lección - good lesson.

[iraqizizou]

NICE!!!!

[strunz21]

thanks for the lesson.