Flamenco!

[TDSLaBassiste]

Anyone here use flamenco strumming on bass? Any tips? I've been trying it, but it starts to hurt my fingers after one or two songs. Do I just need to build a resistance to it or am I doing something wrong?

 

[ms1369]

Listening to great guitarists can help. Now days you can also watch great players and just focus on the right hand.
I find it much more difficult on bass though because of string size, hand placement and the overall sound of the instrument.
Flamenco Guitar Bulerías - YouTube

 

[64jazz]

Just a bit. Using Rotosound Jazz 45-105s it feels not unlike slapping my fingers into the edge of a coffee table.

 

[russtolium]

I think if you did it too much on normal bass strings you'd end up chipping your nails, I'd say lightest gauge strings possible are going to be the biggest immediate help, you'd have an easier time with it if it was strung with piccolo strings, but of course that's only a real option if you're willing to raise your tuning. Even then though, string spacing makes it difficult too. It's definitely not a technique that can be copied verbatim to the bass without some sort of modification.

 

[hleach]

There are lots of examples on YouTube.

 

[asberrys]

I used to do the rasgueado stuff until the quicks of my fingernails got bruised and tender. Haven't done it since. If someone figures out how to obviate this unpleasantry I would love to know how. I really love the sound of flamenco bass.

 

[Stilettoprefer]

I do it all the time. I keep my nails really short and have gotten accurate enough to hit just a little bit of the nail on the strings, but mostly the skin that extends past the nail. I also use flats, but thats personal preference.

I still once in a while smack the edge of a pickup on accident, and it feels like I flicked the edge of a table really hard.