Flamenco Arpeggio

What is arpeggio?

It is a type of broken chord. Single notes are played with the right hand, while holding a chord with the left hand (assuming that the guitarist is right-handed).
It is actually more like “arpeggiated chord”, because the original arpeggio is playing certain sequence of the scale, for example the 1rst, 3rd, 5th, and 7th notes of the scale.

What is important in the flamenco arpeggio?

  • The thumb always ends up on the next string. It is called apoyando. This gives a stronger bass line compare with the classical way of picking.
  • The thumb has to be ready for the next movement so it is placed always to the string which comes next, this placement always happens while playing with the ring, middle or index finger, unless it ends up on the string which supposed to come next.
  • Exception is playing the D string with the thumb, because it does not end up on the next string that instance, it rather ends freely. So, it does not disturb the other fingers which might be using the string below (G string). 
  • Always make very little movements with both hands, with big movements it is hard to gain speed. It is also important to use the metronome while playing to maintain the speed and be able to do it faster later on. 

Dowload the free TAB for the exercise

  • Flamenco arpeggio No1: PDF.

Dowload the free TAB for the exercise

  • Flamenco arpeggio No2: PDF.

Dowload the free TAB for the exercise

  • Flamenco arpeggio No3: PDF.

Lastly here is an exercise which combines the different picking techniques.

  • Flamenco arpeggio study: PDF.