9.

Pulgar
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9.1. Mastering the Pulgar

Although this book is mainly about strumming techniques, this right-hand flamenco guitar
technique is included because it can often be used with some of the rhythm patterns described
herein.

Pulgar (meaning “thumb” in Spanish) involves playing a string with the thumb, then letting it
come to rest on the adjacent string below. This “thumb rest stroke” produces a much stronger
sound than the usual free stroke that is played with the thumb (which is normally associated with
the classical guitar).

Tips:
• Always practice pulgar with a metronome.
• Set the metronome to a very slow speed at first. Increase the speed a little at a time until
you are completely confident and when everything sounds tight (well played).

9.2. Ayudado
Ayudado is a technique that uses the index finger to support the thumb. Meaning that the highest
string is played with the i finger while the other string(s) is/are played using the pulgar
technique.

This provides a little bit of a rest for the thumb, especially when playing at faster speeds. It does
not matter how many strings are played with the technique. It can be from two all the way up to
all six strings, but the direction is always from the bass to the treble strings. The last (highest-
pitched) string in the sequence is always played with the index finger. The same string can be
played twice in the sequence with the thumb or i finger depending which string is being played
(the last string is always played with i finger, even if it is played twice or more).

9.3. Exercises
The first exercise is designed to greatly improve the pulgar technique. It is based on the chromatic
scale and should be practiced both forward and backward. A metronome should be used to
practice all of the exercises starting at a slow speed. Once the set speed feels comfortable,
gradually set the metronome to faster speeds and practice the exercises until the indicated speed
for each is reached.
Exercise 9.3.1. Chromatic scale.

TAB 9.3.1. Chromatic scale

Use the next three exercises to practice the ayudado technique.

Exercise 9.3.2. “Mother tree” bassline

This song is written in a time signature of 5/4, indicating that there are five beats per measure.

TAB 9.3.2. “Mother tree” bassline

Exercise 9.3.3. “The sky” bassline
This song is written in a time signature of 6/4, indicating that there are six beats per measure.

TAB 9.3.3. “The sky” bassline

Exercise 9.3.4. “Malaguena”
This is probably one of the most famous songs that can be played with the pulgar and ayudado
techniques. The melody starts with pulgar, and from bar 4 onward it employs the ayudado
technique.

TAB 9.3.4. “Malaguena”

Exercise 9.3.5. “Ophelia Storm”
This song is a perfect exercise combining the one note rumba with the pulgar and ayudado
techniques. At bar four the hit is replaced with a bass note and performed with the pulgar
technique. It makes the strumming a bit tricky, but adds a little melody to the rumba pattern.
TAB 9.3.5. “Ophelia Storm”