A simple Flamenco technique for guitar players

When we are presented with problems current wisdom asks us to “think outside the square” but taking a fresh approach on a regular basis equally applies to our daily efforts as guitar players. We need to watch out for ways to add value to our guitar playing like, for instance, the simple Flamenco technique of playing barre chords “open”.
When I heard a track by The Doors called Spanish Caravan I was amazed at the unusual sound Robby Krieger was getting out of his guitar. Here’s the video on YouTube:

After a little research I found out that the track was based on a Spanish guitar piece called Asturias which was based on a flamenco form called Granadinas. The key to the sound of the guitar is the special technique used by Flamenco players when they are playing a Granadinas. This special technique consists of lifting the barre on barre chords. That’s right - try playing the C shape barre chord at the second and third frets (B and C chords) and the A barre chord at the fifth fret, all with the first finger fingering the sixth string only.
Here’s a video of Paco Pena playing a Granadinas which includes the “Asturias theme” near the end:

Another flamenco “key” you can try this in is the Taranto style using
B minor barre chord at the second fret, G chord at the third fret and F sharp at the second fret - all played with the barre lifted off. Here is a video and tab for Tarantas by the totally excellent Sal Bonavita.

Finally, here’s an interview conducted by classical guitar god Julian Bream with Flamenco guitarist Paco Pena which shows some nice shots of Paco’s hands as he uses this technique in the Soleares style which uses the A minor G, F and E chords. As you can see from the video, in this piece the barre is only lifted while the F chord is being played, but nothing’s set in concrete, fool around with it.

It helps if you can play arpeggios with your fingers, but experimenting with bar-less barre chords can still be rewarding for plectrum players. The bottom line for this story is whatever chords you’re using it won’t hurt to take a finger off here, put a couple down there, just to see what happens.

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