Introducing Flamenco Guitar

Course details

Rhythmic, percussive, melodic, haunting and intensely passionate, the captivating sound of the flamenco guitar is unmistakable. Designed for absolute beginners, Waltons New School of Music's Introducing Flamenco Guitar course provides an extensive introduction to the instrument and its techniques. Topics covered include:

• The basics of holding and playing your instrument
• Left-hand techniques (bars, fast changes, golpe, picado, legato, etc.)
• Right-hand techniques (positions, bringing up voices, etc.)
• Staying in the compas or rhythm of flamenco
• Scales, arpeggios and slurs
• Techniques to achieve speed and dexterity
• Flamenco rhythms (bulerias, alegrias, fandangos, etc.)
• Rasgeado (strumming technique) and alzapua (thumb technique)
• Las palmas (clapping) and las contras (offbeat clapping)

Participating students will need a good quality 'classical' (nylon-string) guitar to bring to class and practice at home. Guitars are available from Waltons music shops and can also be purchased together with the course.

What happens after the course has finished?

You will be given options for continuing your tuition at the school. Although a continuation ‘Improvers’ course cannot generally be scheduled on the same day/time as the Introducing course, one can be arranged if enough students would like to continue and your teacher has timetable availability. Students can also continue their tuition with either private (one-to-one) or small group lessons with other class members. We are happy to discuss these options with you.

Flamenco Guitar Basics is one of our group courses for beginners. Private (one-to-one) and one-off 'intensive' lessons in Spanish and flamenco guitar, as well as other guitar styles, are also available.