From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A flamenco guitar is a type of guitar, built for the purpose of playing Flamenco music.

Flamenco guitar can also refer to toque, the guitar-playing part of the art of Flamenco.

Contents 1 Construction 2 Music 3 Techniques 4 Characteristic forms 5 See also 6 External links

The traditional flamenco guitar is made of Spanish cypress and spruce, and is lighter in weight and a bit smaller than a classical guitar, to give the sound a "brighter" quality. The flamenco guitar, in contrast to the classical, is also equipped with a barrier, called a golpeador. This is often made of transparent plastic, similar to a pick guard, and protects the body of the guitar from the rhythmic finger taps, called golpes. Originally, flamenco guitars were made with wooden tuning pegs similar to a violin. Some guitarists still prefer these pegs to the classical style tuning gears. The action or the height of the strings above the fingerboard is generally lower (<3mm at the 12th fret) than that of a classical guitar.

In short, flamenco guitars are better suited for flamenco music than classical guitars, however, some modern flamenco guitars (flamenca negra) use similar materials to high-end classical guitars.

Main article: Flamenco

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

Strictly, flamenco guitar is an accompaniment to singing and dancing in the traditional Flamenco forms. Those outside the Flamenco community often use it to mean vaguely Spanish-sounding guitar playing which utilises some of the techniques listed below, especially rasgueado. To gain some understanding of the stricter definition of flamenco, read the main article.

Flamenco is played differently than the classical style, utilizing different strumming patterns and techniques. Most flamenco is played using a capo which increases the brightness (raises the pitch) of the instrument.

In addition to the techniques common to all styles (see List_of_guitar-related_topics#Guitar technique), flamenco guitar emphasises:

• Apoyando: rest stroke
• Golpe: percussive finger tapping
• Legato (Spanish: Ligado)
• Picados: rapid scale passages
• Rasgueado: multiple digit strumming
• Tambour (Spanish: tambora): striking the strings with the side of the thumb
• Tirando: free stroke

• Alzapua
• Pulgar: thumb techniques

• Flamenco guitarists
  • Sabicas (1912-1990)
  • Serranito, Victor Monge (1942-)
  • Paco de Lucia (1947-)
• Luthiers
  • José Ramírez
  • Domingo Esteso (1882-1937)
  • Conde Hermanos
  • Hermann Hauser (1882-1952)
• Classical Guitar

• Tutorials
  • Introduction to Flamenco
  • Miguel Bengoa Flamenco, including Technique
• Community
  • Brilliant flamenco forum
  • Flamenco Community
• Other
  • Flamenco Guitarist at guitarist.com; includes Flamenco FAQ
  • All about the instrument (no shop)
  • Guitarists Glossary