Rasgueado is the strumming sound that everyone identifies with flamenco music. It is this sound that draws people to the art form. Rasgueados are similar to drum rolls in the sense that they accent the last beat of the strum. While many flamenco guitarists play rasgueados very differently, the only part of the rasgueado that is truly important is this final accented strum; how many attacks you use to get there is irrelevant. (Most flamenco guitarists believe that they play ragueados right and that everyone else plays them wrong—a better way to put it is that most flamenco guitarists do what works best for them!)

Following are five different strum patterns for executing a one-beat rasgueado. Choose whichever feels the most comfortable to you and practice it, or work on them all. You'll notice that rasgueado uses all five fingers of the right hand—even the pinky (indicated in notation as „c“ for cinco or fifth finger). Also, all five fingers will strum downstrokes, but only the thumb and index finger will strum upstrokes.

Keep the following points in mind as you practice these patterns:

• In the beginning, place your right-hand thumb on the sixth string as an anchor. Don't worry about playing that string for now, even though it is notated to be played.

• Keep your right-hand fingers in a relaxed fist position.

• Strum across the strings lightly and quickly. They should sound (or explode) as one attack.

• Try to extend the finger after the strum (for smooth follow-through).

• Remember that beat 1 is not as important as the accent on beat 2.

Pattern #1 is the four-stroke rasgueado. This is one of the most traditional patterns in flamenco and, because it is executed in even sixteenth notes, it can be used in a variety of situations. Start with the hand in a relaxed fist and strum with your index finger. Then strum with your little finger and bring your index finger back. Then strum with your ring and middle fingers while keeping the little finger extended. When you strum beat 2 with your index finger, all the fingers should be extended.

Pattern #2 is a variation on the four-stroke pattern, used mainly as a punctuation mark for the end of a musical phrase. It is played very quickly with a slight emphasis on beat 2. Experiment with different tempos, trying to get a snare drum effect on the guitar. This pattern is very easy to play sloppy but very difficult to play with precision.

• An up arrow (f) is the symbol for the downstroke. This may seem backward, but if you think in terms of musical notation, the arrow is pointing from lower notes towards higher notes. The only way to achieve this is with a downstroke on the guitar. Likewise, a down arrow is the symbol for an upstroke, notes moving from high to low.

Pattern #3 is another variation of the four-stroke rasgueado. It is easier to play because the opening eighth note gives your weaker fingers time to set up. Again, keep your attacks light and articulate. Listen to the CD; I vary the rhythm of the sixteenth-note triplets.

Pattern #4 uses the thumb with down- and upstrokes. Rotate your forearm from your elbow while doing this strum. Keep your wrist very loose. This is a popular rasgueado for punctuating the ends of phrases in a rumba. (More on this later.)

Pattern #5 is often called the five-stroke rasgueado. Make sure that the index upstroke is even with the other attacks. This is a very difficult pattern at first, but you will find a lot of possibilities with it.

Warning: Overpracticing rasgueados can be hazardous to your health. Training your fingers to perform rasgueados is very difficult; you are basically working with muscles that you have never used to play the guitar, and these muscles will get very sore very quickly. Practice rasgueados in short time frames, and be aware of what your fingers are telling you while practicing. Tired, sore, aching muscles are your body's way of telling you that you have practiced too much and it is time to rest. Consistent practicing over a period of months will build the stamina that you will need to play flamenco. Remember how hard it was to play your first F chord?