Article written by José Luis Montón
What are the basic chords for playing flamenco guitar?
- Toque por medio: D minor, C major, B flat, and A
- Toque por arriba: A minor, G, F, and E
Also, when playing alegrías, for example, chords in C, A, or E major are mainly used. Or the taranto, for instance, which is usually played with the harmony of B minor, A major, G seventh, and F sharp. And so it goes with each of the palos, which have their own basic chords.
These are harmonies of ancestral styles that are commonly used so that the palo retains its traditional sound, although, as I mentioned before, all kinds of chords are used in Flamenco guitar, as it has evolved towards increasingly evocative harmonies. However, one must never lose sight of the origin, so that what you do has that characteristic flamenco flavor.
How can I improve my strumming technique on the flamenco guitar?
Like everything, by studying slowly, with a lot of repetition, with a metronome, with a relaxed hand, seeking precision and clarity. At “Música, Maestros” we have an exceptional Flamenco Guitar Course by Alfredo Lagos where you can see examples of very well-executed strums.
What is the correct way to chain chords in flamenco?
There is no exact and correct way to chain them to make a composition sound flamenco. As always, you have to listen to a lot of traditional and avant-garde flamenco to build a subconscious foundation to draw upon, armed with your best common sense and always being sincere. You will succeed and you will make mistakes, but if you trust the intuition that develops from listening to the Masters, both their music and their words, you will undoubtedly develop an instinct that will allow you to approach Flamenco with the beauty it holds. But no, that is a fact, there is no magic formula.
Which chords are most frequently used in flamenco?
As I mentioned before, there are a series of traditional chord progressions in flamenco, although a multitude of other chords from many disciplines have been incorporated by guitarists into the flamenco sound.
As I mentioned before, these would be the toque por medio, the toque por arriba, the harmony used to play in “Tono de minera” or “Tono de Taranta,” and the major modes for alegrías.
What are the tonal functions of the flamenco mode?
All of them. The flamenco mode encompasses everything.
There is no magic formula to musically define the flamenco mode. As my dear and admired Jorge Pardo says in the Flamenco Flute course we recorded, there is the major mode, the major mode, and “flamenco mode,” and he develops it note by note, demonstrating the greatness of this music and comparing it with other wonderful genres, such as blues.
Are there specific chords for each flamenco style?
As I mentioned, there are traditional chords for playing all flamenco palos, of course. Different ways of creating cycles, combined with the incorporation of new chords from contemporary music of each era.
Which dominant seventh chords are common in flamenco?
G seventh, E seventh, A seventh, C seventh…
How can I learn to play flamenco chords as a beginner?
The priority is a good teacher, patience, and a lot of love for what you do. Don’t forget that there’s much more to it than just chords; these chords are there to accompany something, whether it’s a singing melody or a guitar melody. They belong to a style, a way of doing things, and that should not be overlooked. Simply playing a specific chord progression is not enough to feel like you’re playing flamenco.
Where can I find resources or guides to learn flamenco guitar chords?
There are many guides, a lot of information on the internet. That’s why I insist on the need for a good teacher to help you discern among such an excess of information.
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Best regards
José Luis Montón