As expected, learning a new style feels like starting over. The technique, the rhythm, and the feel are all different. One of the most basic strokes, the golpa, where the index finger strums downward while the middle finger taps body, I find almost impossible to execute. Yet in a sense the music is very simple. Almost all of the songs are in either E or Am, and the chords tend to move between the two with occasional diversions to G and F. Interestingly, the single-note “melodies” are mostly in E lydian (which has a minor 3rd) but are then usually followed immediately by an E major, thus mixing up the minor and major 3rds, which I’ve been a big fan of for many years (mostly in acid jazz).

What’s interesting about the rhythm is that in Flamenco, a quintuplet is not just an academic curiosity, it’s a prominent part of the music, usually in the form of a rasgueado. I found a great description of the mechanics behind the rasgueado here.

Anyway, I’ll probably be updating the blog more now that I’m learning new stuff. Stay tuned!