Four Notes Per Beat Picado Exercise
Download the free TABs for this flamenco exercise here:
Free Flamenco Guitar Technique Lesson
Picado Guitar Technique
Learn how to improve your picado technique with practical flamenco guitar exercises for speed, coordination and string changing. Follow the video lessons, practise with the free TABs, and develop stronger, cleaner alternate finger picking.
What Is Picado?
It is an alternate picking technique used for soloing in Flamenco. The index and middle fingers are used alternately. The thumb is placed on the low E string when the higher strings are played, and the fingers land on the string above. This technique produces a stronger sound. Starting from the D string and higher, the hand needs to be raised so that the thumb is no longer resting on the E string. Classical guitarists typically use a free-stroke when they solo, which results in a softer sound.
What Is Important?
- Never repeat fingers; otherwise, you won't be able to play fast.
- Always make very small movements with both hands, as large movements make it difficult to gain speed.
- Always have some nail. If your nails are too long, they can get stuck during movements, and if you have no nails, the sound won't be as strong.
Three Notes Per Beat Picado Exercise
Download the free TABs for this flamenco exercise here:
Circus Theme Played With Picado Technique
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String Changing Picado Exercise
In this flamenco exercise, we’ll use the melody of Malagueña Salerosa to practice changing strings with different fingers. Download the free TAB here:
Picado Warm-up Exercise at 100bpm
In this flamenco exercise, we’ll use a metronome and chromatic scales to improve picado technique. The exercise starts off easy but becomes progressively more challenging as we go on. Download the free TAB here:
Picado Triplet Exercise
Triplets are very common in flamenco music and contribute to the distinct ‘Spanish sound.’ This exercise is designed to improve your picado technique using three notes per beat. It also incorporates the B Phrygian scale, a typical feature in flamenco.
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Picado is an essential technique for fast, clear soloing in flamenco. If you'd like to develop your lead guitar further, my complete course will help you work on scales, fretboard knowledge, phrasing, soloing techniques and over 200 practical exercises through six hours of step-by-step video lessons.
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