guitar

January 3rd, 2009

Photo courtesy of Loïc Dupuy

Colby O’Donis is a Flamenco level guitarist.  We have put together information about Colby and his Flamenco guitar so you can see how it differs from the classical guitar.

Flamenco is played somewhat differently from the classical guitar, utilizing different strumming patterns and techniques. Flamenco is commonly played using a cejilla (capo) which somewhat causes the guitar to sound more brilliant and percussive. However, the main purpose in using a cejilla is to change the key of the guitar in order to suit the singer’s vocal range.

Flamenco is a genuine Spanish artform. It exists in three forms:

• Cante: the song (this is the heart of flamenco)
• Baile: the dance
• Toque: guitar playing

In addition to the techniques common to classical guitar, flamenco guitar technique is uniquely characterized by the following:

• Golpe: Percussive finger tapping on the soundboard at the area above or below the strings. This requires a golpeador (tap-plate) in order to protect the surface of the guitar.
• Picado: Single-line scale passages performed apoyando but with more attack and articulation.
• Rasgueado: Strumming done with outward flicks of the right hand fingers, done in a huge variety of ways. A nice rhythmic roll is obtained, supposedly reminiscent of the bailador’s (flamenco dancer) feet and the roll of castanets.