Here are a number of lessons on rasgueado on classical guitar. This form of strumming often associated with Spanish or flamenco guitar is also heavily used in classical guitar both in repertoire and in technique practice. The below lessons are much more directed at rasgueado use for classical guitar guitarists at the beginner to later intermediate level (not for flamenco specifically). For more free weekly lessons join the email newsletter for updates and please consider supporting the site.
This exercise is from my book Classical Guitar Technique: Essential Exercises, Scales, and Arpeggios. The 122 page book includes: Practice Routines, Tips, 100 Open String Exercises, 120 Giuliani Arpeggios, Scales, Slur Exercises, Shifts, Finger Independence, Barre, Tremolo, Common Harmonics, and much more.
Basic Rasgueado on Open Strings – There are many great books that fully cover rasgueado technique, not to mention the plethora of flamenco techniques. This book will provide a few simple patterns to give the right hand a basic rasgueado workout. The arrows pointing up on the page indicate a strum from the bass strings to the treble strings as the notation would suggest. Arrows pointing down on the page indicate a strum from the treble strings to the bass strings.
An impromptu lesson in rasgueado technique for guitar by Pepe Romero. Keep watching through to when he start playing. Romero has some impressive and strong rasgueado but keep close attention to his relaxation tips as that is the key! Watch until the end because the student (I’m assuming Andrey) makes a fantastic breakthrough, what a great moment. For more free weekly lessons join the Email Newsletter for updates and please consider donating to the site or sharing this post to support.
Video Link & Source: This is Classical Guitar on YouTube
This is a new video lesson for my ebook: 20 Favorite Exercises for Classical Guitar – For beginner to intermediate classical guitarists (Includes: notation, TAB, fingerings, practice tips). I’ve been meaning to re-record some of these with better video quality.
This exercise, No. 9 – Basic Rasgueado Patterns for classical guitar, is not intended to train you in the art of flamenco, instead, they are aimed to give your right-hand a good workout, strengthen the fingers, and increase the reflex-oriented ‘return to start’ direction of finger movements. I’ve found that rasgueado practice is excellent for the right hand position of students. You need a certain amount of clearance as well as having to move the fingers from the upper knuckle joint. Therefore, it’s similar to regular playing but in reverse. GO!
Books to consider
- Classical Guitar Method – Vol. 1, Notation, Video Lessons, 100 pages, Free PDF
- Classical Guitar Method Vol. 2, Notation, Video Lessons, 89 pages.
- Classical Guitar Repertoire Lessons Grade 1 – Eight pieces at the grade one level with dedicated lessons preparing you for each piece.
- Classical Guitar Technique: Essential Exercises, Scales, & Arpeggios – Notation, 122 pages, Gr. 1-9. Video lessons, hundreds of exercises. Includes Giuliani’s 120 arpeggios and 100 open string exercises to learn good fingering habits.
- 20 Favorite Exercises, Notation + TAB, Video lessons, Gr.1-6, Great for crossover or a quick boost.
- Ten Classical Etudes, Gr.4-7, videos lessons, Notation & Notation + TAB
