Play Spanish Style On The Ukulele
Spanish style fingerpicking on the ukulele
Spanish Techniques
Although there are a few standard terms in playing Spanish style on ukulele, there is quite a lot variation on how to play Spanish style. Try out some of these standard techniques and develop your own style!
Right Hand Techniques
Firstly, when playing the ukulele Spanish style you need to use the thumb and fingers of the right hand to produce the notes, rather than a plectrum. The right hand is used to play chords, arpeggios and single note lines. Acoustic guitarists who are used to playing finger style should have little difficulty adapting to the Spanish style ukulele. In classical ukulele and guitar, most notes are sounded using one of two styles: Tirando or Apoyando.
Tirando means ‘free stroke’. This is where the finger strikes the string as part of a continuous motion, and is how notes are normally played acoustically.
Apoyando means ‘rest stroke’. Here the finger strikes the string, but rather than continuing past the string, comes to rest on the adjacent string. This produces a stronger sound, and can be used to emphasise notes or melodies. Tirando is the default technique, but both methods can be practised.
Flamenco Techniques
Other Spanish guitar right hand techniques include Tremolo, Rasgueado and Golpe. Tremolo is when each note of a melody is sounded by three right hand fingers in quick succession, giving the impression of one continuously sustained note. The thumb is used to play notes between the tremolo part. Rasgueado is a strumming motion, most often performed with the second finger. Golpe is a percussive tap on the guitar body, most often used in flamenco playing.
Left Hand Techniques
The left hand technique for Spanish ukulele is pretty standard. The thumb should remain behind the neck, not too near the sides. Barres and half barres are both used. Many Spanish pieces have bass, mid and treble parts, and care is needed in the left hand to allow all of the parts to be heard separately and clearly.
Have fun experimenting with some Spanish music and impress your friends with a bit of flamenco ukulele!
Happy strumming 🙂
Find more expert tips and practice techniques with our useful guides.