Learn to Play Flamenco Guitar

The passion and fire of flamenco, with its driving dance rhythms and spectacular melodies, has inspired guitarists for generations. This Spanish Gypsy folk music has its roots in the Middle East, and you can hear strains of Arabic, Jewish, Eastern European, Indian and other ethnicities in its powerful rhythms and harmonies.

Aaron Gilmartin’s clear, concise instructions will get you started playing flamenco guitar right away. All you’ll need is a basic knowledge of the fingerboard and a nylon string guitar to learn this exciting musical tradition. Whether you now play classical, folk, blues or contemporary fingerstyle guitar, these videos will open a whole new world of music to you.

Along with flamenco history, terminology and technique, Aaron teaches four of the most important flamenco forms, each with its own recognizable “feel,” or aire: Tangos, a dance rhythm in 4/4 similar to the sounds made popular by the Gypsy Kings; Alegrias, a lighter, more uplifting style; Bulerias, the exciting and popular form played by everyone from Sabicas to Paco de Lucia; and Soleares, the “mother of all flamenco forms.” In each form you’ll learn the basic compas (rhythmic feel), and become familiar with strumming and picking techniques such as the rasgueado, abanico and picado.

Throughout the two lessons you’ll develop your tone, rhythmic power, strumming variations and the improvisational melodies (falsetas) and heart-thumping rhythms that make flamenco so exciting to players and listeners alike.