Flamenco Strumming

naruki · #1 09-17-2011, 08:28 PM

Hmm...when I strum downwards, its fine but how do I strum upwards so that my fingernails hit the string without keeping my nails long?

**Matthew_84** · #2 09-19-2011, 09:08 PM

Don't know if this will be helpful to you or not, but I hate the sound of my finger-nail hitting the string, so I just trim it down near as far as it can go before getting uncomfortable and I play with the very tip of my finger.

if you do want to keep playing with the nail, watch some recent Rush videos. Geddy sometimes uses this technique (but only in the last several years), look at his finger and the angle that he holds it

About trimming the nail, I should add that I prefer a flatwound type of tone as opposed to anything bright. The sound of the nail is like my kryptonite, but that's just because of the tone that I like

naruki · #3 09-19-2011, 11:03 PM

I'm actually trying to get the Claypool's strum tone. Does he use his nails or the tips?

**Matthew_84** · #4 09-21-2011, 02:33 PM

Sorry, no idea.

I started implementing the technique to play some of Rush's stuff. Geddy uses his nail, but I completely hated the sound of it, so I trimmed it down and began working on the technique without it.

My advice is play which ever way sounds best to you, with the nail or without. You'll never nail anyone else's tone 100% and the majority of people won't be able to tell a difference anyway so just do it the way that you prefer.

lburton2 · #5 09-23-2011, 08:03 PM

With Flamenco rakes there are obviously a few ways to do it. When I comp chords I rake down followed by an upstroke with the tips of my fingers... So envision fully extending your fingers from ring-middle-index and closing them again from ring-middle-index..

If I want to get a more Claypool type sound I will do that closer to the fretboard (slap-position)..

Another way would be to take the tips of your fingers (nails) and instead of extending and retracting your fingers, use your wrist to rake your nails across the strings (near the fretboard). This technique is a little less controlled, but if your left hand is muting what needs to be muted.. That's probably the answer to your question

Elrend · #6 10-02-2011, 07:43 AM

What do you mean by "flamenco strumming"? Do you mean rasgueros or simply strumming up and down with your fingertips?

OtterOnBass · #7 10-02-2011, 07:46 AM

Your thumb?

naruki · #8 10-02-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elrend

What do you mean by "flamenco strumming"? Do you mean rasgueros or simply strumming up and down with your fingertips?

With fingertips, like Claypool.

grendle · #9 10-02-2011, 10:28 AM

I always considered that just strumming. Flamenco I always considered basically a triple or quadruple POP basically (ala stu hamm). Les just stums with his finger tips. His right hand technique is more banjo than bass lol.

naruki · #10 10-02-2011, 04:05 PM

Yeah but I'm just having trouble with the upwards strum. It sounds weird. Do you strike with your finger tips or nails?

Darth Handsome · #11 10-03-2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naruki

Yeah but I'm just having trouble with the upwards strum. It sounds weird. Do you strike with your finger tips or nails?

Fingertips.

grendle · #12 10-03-2011, 05:09 PM

Fingertips

naruki · #13 10-03-2011, 05:19 PM

Fingertips. Gotcha.