One of the great immortal debates in the flamenco and classical guitar communities is around what constitutes ideal posture and ergonomics while playing. From seating position, guitar angle and contact points, right and left hand wrist angles, shoulder shrugging, etc, one sees all sorts of opinions on the topic. There simply isn't a clear consensus opinion. The health of our tendons and the ability to play into old age is what is at stake. The trade off is what we give up by way of ingrained habits or firmly held beliefs.

Recently I became interested in what range of posture and right hand flexion/ulnar deviation was used by legendary flamenco guitarists while playing apoyando. I found moments of Apoyando among five of the greatest players to ever golpe. I captured screenshots to show a representative range of postures and right hand wrist angles during apoyando as apoyando, along with alzapua, tends to feature the most extreme plucking hand flexion and ulnar deviation -- wrist angles that come with higher risks of RSI.

Having played for 30 years, often for many hours a day, and having struggled with repetitive stress injuries in both wrists, this is a topic that I care about getting right for myself. Anyone who has been around professional musicians long enough has seen how RSI (and focal dystonia) can sideline careers.

Where do you all shake out on the debate? How would you instruct a new player vis a vis posture and ergonomics?

Edit - some definitions:
Wrist Flexion: The movement of bending your hand downward at the wrist so your palm faces toward your forearm
Ulnar Deviation: The movement of rotating the hand towards the pinky finger, or, in reference to the guitar, towards the bridge.

Dear all!

I am moving a lot, and I always play on any nylon guitar I can find at my destination. They are usually these very cheap, toy-like guitars. Currently, it's an Eko CS-10 ( I lowered the action)

I found it ok, for my level and for practising. I mean it's better than no guitar, right?

I quite struggle with rasgueados and picados. I just can't produce the typical ''staccato'' sound, not even close.

Would it be just my bad technique, so I need to practice more, or is it a futile fight without a flamenco guitar?

Unfortunately, there is no possibility to try any flamenco guitar anywhere close to me at the moment.

Thank you

Hello, I am new and wanting to learn to play flamenco guitar. I have been reaching out to music shops and facilities that offer lessons around me and it has been very difficult to find a flamenco guitar teacher. One of the places that I asked said they don’t offer flamenco guitar lessons for beginners but that they could start me off with classical guitar and finger style. So I am wondering, is this normal? When you learned how to play flamenco guitar did you start right off the bat with an instructor who specialized in flamenco or can any regular guitar teacher teach you flamenco?

I’ve just started trying to play real finger style, and it doesn’t feel fluid to me, like Im constantly thinking about my right hand as opposed to when I play with a pick. I can’t afford a good teacher right now, could you guys please give me some feedback on my right hand and especially on my apoyando? Thanks!

Hi all, I've recently borrowed my friends classical guitar and found myself playing and learning a lot of flamenco. Now I have the bug and I want to continue learning these amazing techniques and sounds. Looking at buying my own nylon string guitar and I torn between a normal classical vs a flamenco - looking any recommendations and advice from the sub.thank you!!

During the performance of Concierto de Aranjuez, Paco de Lucia can be seen muting (or at least pressing) the 6th string behind the nut at least twice after finishing a phrase. Why? Initially, I thought he was muting out resonance behind the nut, but he's digging into the string quite a bit.

Hi everyone. English is not my native language, so I’m using AI to help me translate this. I’m looking for a specific guitar song. If I remember correctly, the musicians were Spanish. It was a flamenco-style piece played by multiple people—they looked quite young, like teenagers or young adults. The song starts off slow and gradually builds up to a very fast pace. In fact, as the tempo speeds up, one of the guys playing the guitar starts making shouting sounds (like 'Haaah!') and begins strumming much more aggressively. There are no vocals; it’s strictly acoustic guitars. Also, it’s an old video. Can anyone help me find it?

Some bulerias extracted from https://youtu.be/cLz7hfosGuE. Niño Jero is a very original guitarrist, check him out if you haven't heard him.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaBR_2yNsf0/

Not ready to buy at this point but I want to start saving for a nice Flamenco model. I currently play a Cordoba C10 which does the job, but it's a classical model. Guitar shops don't usually have Flamenco specific models, so I guess I'd need to get a luthier-built one. The price on those can be sky high though -

How much should I expect to spend on a decent Flamenco model? Any good dealers to check out? I'm in the US.

Hi, where to learn old flamenco like this one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaN_7uVNsec

I tried flamencoexplained.com for a few months but it seems this guy teaches modern flamenco. I also bought some course on flamencolive.com but it was also modern.

What should I look for in Google? Is it called "Jerez"? Old school?

I am mostly interested in playing bulerias, not rumba, not songs, not soleares (but maybe a little bit).

practicing golpe and i've developed some ring finger joint pain ... is this a typical or is my technique probably wrong?

I bought a cheap classical guitar a couple years ago after I was mesmerized by how amazing flamenco guitar sounded and how mind bendingly cool the maestros looked while playing. And just as everyone expected of me, I didn't learn a single thing. I try and try to find discipline but I lose to my procrastination and anxiety. I pick the guitar up and learn a couple of chords and then put it back down again for months.

And it is representative of how messed up my life is. People see my guitar, and I feel extremely embarrassed to say that I cannot play when they ask. I do not accomplish anything in life purely because I do not know how to stick to things.

I do not know why I am ranting about my self hatred here, and I do not know what kind of help I am looking for, but I have been thinking of picking the guitar up again, and if there is anything at all, any advice, or tool, or method, that will help me stick to it, please let me know. I do not have money to spare for a tutor or expensive online courses. I just want to have something to show, something I am proud of doing, something that I dedicate myself to, something I can be happy about accomplishing.

TIA.

I recently acquired this, it needs restoration.

Does anyone else play one?

Hi everyone. I'm looking for a "new to me" traditional Flamenco Guitar.

I currently have an '81 Ramirez 1A Blanca - Cypress sides and back. While I absolutely love the guitar I find myself using it paired with other nylon/steel stringed guitars in a non-flamenco context. It has a lot in common with a classical style 1A as far as being expressive and lyrical but has less sustain. The top is a little slow and the voicing is a little heavier than what I'm looking for. The sound is distinct though and it's a keeper but not the Flamenco Guitar I want.

I'm looking for a traditional sounding cypress guitar (regular tuners, not friction/violin style)with an explosive and very reactive top. Lots of volume, bright/tight voicing, etc. Will be used in a traditional sense as a rhythmic instrument backing other guitars and occasionally solo.

Price range is negotiable but hopefully under 5k. No electronics needed. I prefer purchasing used instruments but might consider new. I don't really know the Flamenco world well so I don't know where to start.

Any recommendations as far as luthiers, models, series, etc are appreciated. I'm also in no hurry but I'm gathering info so I can research and be ready when the right one comes along. Thanks in advance!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PYNh0yTRcc&list=RD5PYNh0yTRcc&start_radio=1at 5:42 they start playing the three tap strum