In flamenco, it is all about using the hand for getting the best sound. The strumming hand needs to have the finger nail contact with the string. Below describes the three most basic ways of finger picking.
Thumb (also indicated with the letter 'p') - when playing a single note, the thumb rests on the string you want to play. You then press the thumb downward and let it rest on the next string down. In the diagram to the left, if starting on the 5th string, the thumb would then rest on the 4th string. Strumming in this way gives the loudest sound, and resonates the string in the best way to minimize buzzing noises. The thumb typically plays the 4th through 6th strings.
Picado - this is the technique also known as the "rest stroke". Picado is played by starting on the string you want to play. As with the thumb, which also plays picado, the finger rests on the next string. The 1st and 2nd fingers (also known as I and M) usually cover the first through 3rd strings when playing notes picado. In the diagram to the left, the I finger would start on string 1, then it would rest on string 2 when the note is complete. The picado technique gives the string the strongest sound.
Tirando - this technique is also known as the "free stroke". Tirando is played with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fingers (I, M, A). It is usually played on the 1st through 3rd strings. The tirando pick starts off on the string you want to play, similar to picado. The difference is where the finger ends up. Instead of resting on the adjacent string, the finger pulls off of the guitar and ends above the strings. Tirando is best used when playing notes quickly, and is the technique when playing an arpeggio.
For more information on identifying the fingers, see our Finger Identification page.
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