Flamenco Guitar Q&A: How, When, & Where to Properly Anchor Your Thumb When Strumming (Por Arriba)

Flamenco Guitar Q&A: How, When, & Where to Properly Anchor Your Thumb When Strumming (Por Arriba)

Author: Ben Stubbs September 20, 2021 Duration: 4:43

In this video lesson for the flamenco guitar, one of our supporters, Yolanda, asks a really good question about the pulgar (thumb), and what to do with it when you are playing in E major. 

Quite often, we tend to rest our thumb on the E string (sixth string) when playing falsetas and chords, but sometimes our thumb can get in the way when we need to strum the sixth string. So, in this lesson, I will show you exactly how to solve this problem! 

🎸TABs 🎼 + Backing Tracks for this lesson: https://www.Patreon.com/Flamenco4U
My Flamenco Arpeggios Mini-Course: https://www.LearnTheFlamencoguitar.com


Ben Stubbs has spent years not just playing flamenco guitar but teaching it, and that experience shapes every conversation on The Flamenco Guitar Podcast. Here, the focus is on the journey behind the music-the specific techniques, the historical context, and the personal discipline that transforms practice into passion. You'll hear detailed discussions on everything from the precise mechanics of rasgueado and alzapúa to the emotional weight of different palos, all explained in a way that is accessible whether you're holding a guitar for the first time or have been studying for years. This isn't a series of dry lectures; it's a deep, practical exploration fueled by Ben's dedication as an educator. Each episode feels like a focused session, breaking down complex ideas into actionable steps while always honoring the soul and tradition of flamenco. Tune in for a genuine learning experience that goes far beyond simple tablature, offering a real sense of guidance and community for anyone drawn to this powerful art form. The podcast serves as a natural extension of Ben's teaching philosophy, making the intricate world of flamenco guitar feel approachable and deeply rewarding.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Flamenco Guitar Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 16: How to Play "Danza Mora" (Lesson #1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:03
Danza Mora (moorish dance) is an arabesque-themed folk song for the flamenco guitar. In this first lesson of the Danza Mora we will tune our guitars to dropped D tuning. You will hear an interesting snare drum effect pro…
Episode 9: How to Get a Full Sound Using Barre Chords Playing Rumba [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:46
As we continue our lessons on the rumba flamenca in A minor, we have now come to a section where we are doing something really interesting and fun with the rhythm! You've seen in previous lessons how to play the Andalusi…