Level 4 · Musician · 20 min
Pizzicato, tambora and rasgueado
By the end you can produce three distinct attacks on open strings.
Before this lesson
Lesson steps
1 The ordinary bass
Play the first bar with the thumb, letting the strings ring.
4 min · Quarter note = 48, 1 note per click
Check for · You hear the bass notes E, A, D and A.
More detail
The first bar gives a reference for comparing how long each bass rings.
2 Pizzicato
Rest the outer right palm near the bridge throughout the second bar.
4 min · Quarter note = 48, 1 note per click
Revisit the tablature · Step 1
Check for · The same four pitches remain recognisable and die away sooner.
More detail
Shift the contact point very slightly to adjust damping while the thumb plucks.
3 Tambora
Tap the strings gently near the bridge with the side of the right thumb.
4 min · Quarter note = 44, 1 note per click
Check for · A drum-like sound follows each gesture on beats 1 and 3.
More detail
Aim for the strings. A small forearm rotation supplies the gesture and the strings rebound after contact.
4 A slow rasgueado
Extend a, then m, then i from bass to treble in bar two.
4 min · Quarter note = 44, 1 note per click
Revisit the tablature · Step 3
Check for · You hear three distinct strums before the rest.
More detail
One finger brushes all the strings on each stroke. Play a, m and i in sequence with three short movements.
5 Identify three colours
Record the three effects in order, with a breath between them.
4 min
Revisit the tablature · Step 3
Check for · You can distinguish a short bass, a tap on the strings and three strums.
More detail
The two tabs give the rhythm and strings. Compare the colours on the recording of your guitar.
You can move on when…
You pass when a listener identifies the muted sound, the drum sound and the three strums.
If a movement feels difficult
The muted bass loses its pitch.
Move the palm contact nearer the bridge.
All three fingers strum at once.
Isolate one finger movement on each slow click.