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.

Flamenco Arpeggio

What is important in the flamenco arpeggio?

  • The thumb always ends up on the next string, a technique called apoyando or pulgar (a flamenco term). This gives a stronger bass line compared to the classical way of picking.
  • The thumb must be ready for the next movement, so it is always placed on the string that comes next. This placement occurs while playing with the ring, middle, or index finger, unless the thumb ends up on the string that is supposed to follow.
  • An exception is when playing the D string with the thumb. In this case, the thumb does not end up on the next string; instead, it lands freely, so it doesn’t interfere with the other fingers, which might be using the string below (the G string).
  • Always make very small movements with both hands. Large movements make it difficult to gain speed. It is also important to use a metronome while playing to maintain the correct tempo and increase speed over time.

Exercises with free tabs

Flamenco arpeggio No1: PDF.

Flamenco arpeggio No2: PDF.

Flamenco arpeggio No3: PDF.

Flamenco arpeggio study: PDF.

This last exercise combines the different flamenco picking techniques.

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