| How to Play Flamenco Guitar Posted: 23 Mar 2019 05:00 PM PDT Flamenco is more than a guitar playing style. It is an art form that originated in the Andalusia region of Spain, and incorporates music and dancing. You don't have to be from Spain to learn to play flamenco guitar, although familiarity with the culture may help. Flamenco uses the guitar in ways that may be unfamiliar to you, even if you're a more experienced guitarist. The techniques can be difficult, but with patience and persistence you can master them. If you want to learn to play flamenco guitar, it helps if you already know how to play classical guitar.[1] EditLearning Fingering Techniques - Warm up your wrist and fingers before practicing. Flamenco guitar requires tremendous dexterity and coordination in your strumming hand. Even if you've been practicing these techniques for a while, warm-ups are important to prevent cramping or more serious injuries.[2]
- Stretch your fingers gently, and do the picking techniques slowly until your fingers feel loose and nimble. Then you'll be ready to play.
- If you feel your fingers start to cramp up while you're playing, pause and stretch them out before playing again.
- Practice hammer-ons and pull-offs. If you've played any rock guitar, you may be familiar with this technique. Flamenco guitarists call it legato, and it gives you the ability to play alternating notes on one string more quickly.[3]
- To play a hammer-on, play a note on one string and then add a finger to the same string so that you're playing a higher note. You'll play both notes while only plucking or strumming with your other hand once.
- A pull-off is the same as a hammer-on in the opposite direction. Instead of adding a finger, you pull a finger off. This enables you to play a lower note on the same string.
- Start strumming with the 5 stroke tremolo. If you already have experience with classical guitar, you may already know how to play 4 stroke tremolo. This flamenco technique simply expands on what you already know by adding another stroke at the end.[4]
- Play the base or root note on the lowest string with your thumb. On the higher E string, play 4 strokes continuously using your index, ring, and middle fingers. You'll play a total of 5 strokes in this order: thumb, index, ring, middle, index.
- The goal of tremolo is to play as fast as you can. Play slowly when you're starting out until your fingers get used to the pattern. Then start gradually speeding up.
- Exercise your fretting hand to build strength and dexterity. Your fretting hand must have the strength to move quickly between notes and chords, fretting them all cleanly. Practicing chords and moving between chords without strumming is a good way to increase speed in and strength in the fingers of your left hand.[5]
- Commit to doing strengthening exercises for 10 to 15 minutes a day every day. You may not notice a huge difference at first, but over time you'll notice that fretting becomes easier.
- Try basic strength building exercises, such as pressing your thumb and the tip of each finger together. You can do these exercises while reading or watching TV.
EditPlaying Chords and Scales - Focus on Major scales. Major scales figure prominently in flamenco music. If you've already been playing guitar for a while, they are likely some of the first scales you learned as well. Try playing the scales in a way that emulates the basic rhythm and meter of common flamenco styles.[6]
- For example, the flamenco style Alegrías is typically in C Major. Since this is a fairly simple scale with no sharps or flats, it can be a good place to start.
- Practice switching between different scales. This will give you the ability to switch keys while you play, a technique known as modulation. This technique figures prominently in pieces performed by many famous flamenco guitarists.
- Practice basic barre chords. Barre chords require significant finger strength, but they are essential to master if you want to play flamenco guitar. Barre chords allow you to play more chords up and down the fretboard, and to transition between those chords more quickly.[7]
- To make a barre chord, you place your index finger over the fretboard so that you're pressing down all of the strings at the same time.
- If you're just starting out, placing your middle finger over the top of your index finger can help you understand the pressure required to press down the strings cleanly. Press your thumb into the back of the neck of the guitar and apply even pressure to stabilize your hand.
- For example, you can make an E Major barre chord by barring the 8th fret with your index finger. Place your ring finger on the 10th fret of the 5th string, and your pinky finger on the 10th fret of the 4th string. Then place your middle finger on the 9th fret of the 3rd string. Strum and adjust your fingers until you have a clean sound.
- Play your chords as arpeggios. You know how to make chord shapes with your left hand, but you're probably used to just strumming the chord altogether. With an arpeggio, you play each of the notes of the chord individually.[8]
- You can practice different playing techniques using an arpeggio before you advance to learning flamenco melodies.
- Arpeggios can also be a good way to stretch and warm up your fingers.
- Use the picado technique to play scales. For the picado technique, you'll strike the strings of your guitar by alternating your index and middle fingers. If you already know single-line scales, you can use them to practice this flamenco technique.[9]
- For the picado technique, strike the string downward, rather than plucking the string up as you would in classical guitar. This difference can take some getting used to, especially if you have a lot of experience with classical guitar, so be patient.
- Even though you're supposed to play picado very fast, start out by playing slowly until your fingers are used to striking the strings correctly.
EditExperimenting with Different Styles - Watch flamenco guitarists perform. There are as many as 50 different styles (or Palos) of flamenco. Most flamenco guitarists specialize in 1 or 2 styles rather than trying to learn them all. By watching a variety of guitarists, you can hone in on the styles you like the best.[10]
- You can find free videos online of flamenco guitarists performing. Look for videos that are relatively close up, so you can pay attention to the guitarist's hands.
- Some classic flamenco guitarists you should search for include Sabicas, Niño Ricardo, Ramon Montoya, and Paco de Lucia.[11]
- Start with the Rumba style. While flamenco is divided into styles rather than songs, Rumba is a flamenco style that has a song structure similar to the pop or rock musical genres. If you're familiar with that basic song structure, the Rumba style may be the easiest for you to pick up when you're just starting out.[12]
- The Gypsy Kings are a group you can listen to who are well-known and are popular for their flamenco rumbas.
- Focus on the rhythm and meter of the different styles. The rhythm and meter of a style determine which beats are stressed. Each style has its own rhythm and meter that distinguishes it from all the other styles.[13]
- For example, a tango has a series of 4 beats, with the stress always on the first beat.
- Use the Phrygian mode and Major scales to improvise melodies. Once you've mastered the rhythm and meter of the flamenco style you want to play, you're ready to start building melodies based on common flamenco scales.[14]
- The Phrygian mode will probably sound most "flamenco-like" to your ears. Sloeá, tangos, and bulerías typically use the Phrygian scale. It is similar to the natural minor scale except for the lowered second note. For example, the E Minor scale is E-F#-G-A-B-C-D-E, while the E Phrygian scale is E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E.
- Add in percussive taps with golpe. Many styles of flamenco incorporate this method. Tap your fingers on the body of the guitar as you play, either above or below the strings. Use this method to add more rhythm to your flamenco guitar playing.[15]
- If you're tapping above the strings, be careful not to tap too hard or you could damage the body of your guitar. Real flamenco guitars have a tap plate on the top side of the guitar for this reason.
- Each flamenco style has its own rhythm, but flamenco is based on improvisation. Learn the technique and make it your own – don't worry about whether you're doing it the "right way."
- Flamenco guitar is played with nylon strings. Some nylon strings are specifically labeled as "flamenco strings," but classical guitar strings will work just as well. Choose the strings that you are most comfortable playing.[16]
- Since you use your nails to strum the strings when you play flamenco guitar, nail care is very important. Keep your nails fairly short, filing them straight with a soft angle on the side. Condition your nails or protect them with a vitamin-infused polish.[17]
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| How to Keep Bleached Hair Healthy Posted: 23 Mar 2019 09:00 AM PDT Bleaching your hair dries it out which can lead to dull, damaged locks. Fortunately, with the right products and techniques, you can easily keep your bleached hair healthy and beautiful. EditPurchasing Bleach-Friendly Products - Stick with sulfate-free products made for color-treated hair. Sulfates are full of salt, which can dry out and damage your hair. When picking up shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, or other products, read the labels carefully. Avoid anything containing sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, or sodium laureth sulfate. You should also make sure that every product you use is formulated for use on color-treated hair to ensure your locks remain healthy.[1]
- Invest in purple shampoo to keep your hair from looking yellow. A purple shampoo will gently tone your hair and keep it from looking too yellow or brassy. You can find purple shampoo formulated for bleached hair at your salon as well as beauty supply stores. Use it the same way you would a regular shampoo, and rinse it out with cool water to seal the hair cuticle.[2]
- You can use the purple shampoo each time you wash your hair. If you find that it tones your hair too much, simply use a clarifying shampoo the next time you wash your hair to strip out the toner.
- Do an oil treatment once a week to add moisture and shine. You can use coconut or argan oil to rehydrate your tresses. Put a small amount of oil in your hands and coat your hair from the mid-lengths to the ends. Cover your hair with a shower cap and let it soak in for a few hours, or even overnight. Simply rinse it out with cool water in the morning and you're good to go![3]
- Protect your hair from the sun with a UV-protectant product. The UV rays in sunlight can damage your hair and even cause it to turn a brassy color. If you plan to be outside, you can apply a UV-protectant product to your tresses to limit the damage from the sun's rays. Just spray it on your hair as per the package instructions before going outside.[4]
- Alternatively, wear a hat or scarf to keep your hair out of the sun.
EditWashing Your Hair - Shampoo your hair every 3 days to keep it from drying out. Washing your hair strips it of its natural oils, which can lead to dull, lifeless hair. If you prefer to shower more often than every 3 days, you can wear a shower cap to keep your hair dry.[5]
- Condition your hair each time you wet it to smooth it out. If you skip the shampoo in the shower but still wet your hair, be sure to apply conditioner. Bleaching your hair can dry it out, and conditioner helps to strengthen and smooth the hair. Apply it from the mid-lengths of your hair to the ends and rinse it out with cool, not warm, water to close the cuticle and lock in the moisture.[6]
- Use dry shampoo in between washes if your hair looks greasy. Dry shampoo is available in either a powder or aerosol variety. This product absorbs oil and adds texture and shine. If your hair is looking greasy or limp, you can easily refresh it with dry shampoo. Sprinkle a small amount of powder on the roots, or spray the dry shampoo from your roots. Massage the powder into your scalp then thoroughly brush your hair to distribute the product.[7]
- Use leave-in conditioner to replenish your hair's moisture. A leave-in conditioner can provide your hair with much-needed moisture and prevent it from drying out during the day. Choose a leave-in conditioner formulated for your specific hair type. Work it into your hair from the mid-lengths to the end while your hair is damp, and don't rinse it out.[8]
- You can use a leave-in conditioner every day if you want, or only once or twice per week.
- Pat your hair dry instead of rubbing it with a towel to prevent breakage. The fibers of a regular towel can pull your hair and cause it to break. Instead of vigorously scrubbing your hair to get it dry, gently pat out the excess moisture. Use a microfiber towel or old T-shirt in place of a regular towel to prevent your hair from catching in the fibers.[9]
EditStyling Bleached Hair - Limit your use of heat-styling tools to keep your hair healthy. Heat-styling tools, like blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons, dry out your hair and can cause damage. If you want to keep your bleached locks looking healthy, let your hair air dry and try no-heat styles like braids, buns, or beachy waves.[10]
- You could also use Velcro or foam rollers to create cute no-heat styles.
- Use a heat-protectant spray if you do use heat-styling tools. If you just can't go without your blow dryer or flat iron, be sure to invest in a heat-protectant product. These products contain silicone which evaporates quickly, leaving your hair smoother and less porous. Heat-protectants also prevent moisture loss. Simply spray the product onto damp tresses, then comb it through to distribute it evenly. Style your hair as usual.[11]
- Touch up the roots only to prevent further damage. When your hair grows out and the roots start to show, you may be tempted to bleach all your hair again. However, repeated bleaching treatments can severely damage your hair. Bleach only the roots, rather than all of your hair. It's best to have this done by a stylist to ensure the color remains even.[12]
- Get a trim every 6 weeks. Bleaching your hair makes it more susceptible to split ends, so you'll want to have your hair cut regularly. Most stylists suggest you come in for a trim every 6 weeks to keep your hair as healthy as possible.[13]
EditPracticing Everyday Care - Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb to reduce breakage. Bleached hair is fragile, especially when it's wet! Instead of ripping through snarls with a regular hairbrush, use a wide-tooth comb. Begin at the ends of your hair and work your way carefully to the roots.[14]
- Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase. Cotton pillowcases actually draw moisture out of your hair. Smooth fabrics, like silk or satin, do not. These pillowcases also reduce tangles and frizz, leading to smoother hair and less styling time in the morning.[15]
- Wet your hair with fresh water before swimming. If you have plans to spend a day at the beach or pool, you should rinse your hair before getting in the water. Salt water can dry out hair, while chlorine can turn it green. Wetting it with fresh water first keeps your hair from soaking up the salt water or pool water and will keep it healthier.[16]
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| How to Use a Manual Typewriter Posted: 23 Mar 2019 01:00 AM PDT Manual typewriters have plenty of vintage charm, but there are practical reasons for using them, too. Typewriters can create neat type on oddly-shaped envelopes or papers, and they can be fun to tinker with. If you've never used a manual typewriter before, there are a few things you need to know before you can begin. EditSetting the Margins - Slide the margin set on the right-hand side of the typewriter. Before you start typing, you'll want to make sure that your margins are set correctly. The right-hand margin set is usually located next to the larger carriage release lever at the top right of the typewriter. The margin sets usually look like metal brackets at the very top of the typewriter. They may have a button you have to press before you can move them.[1]
- Move the margin set on the carriage until it is located at your desired right margin. Some typewriters have a ruler built in for measuring an exact margin. If yours doesn't, you may want to use a tape measure or a ruler to get accurate margins. Standard margins for a typewriter are all the way around the paper, although some people prefer on the sides.[2]
- Repeat the process for the left-hand side. Once you get your right margin, set the left-hand margins to match by sliding the left margin set along the carriage. The margins should remain set until the next time you press the margin-set levers.[3]
EditTyping on the Typewriter - Flip up the paper guide and place a piece of paper behind the cylinder. When you're ready to type, you'll need to put paper in your typewriter. You can use regular copy paper in your typewriter, although some writers prefer a heavier stock. Look for the paper lock (or paper guide), a bar located above the keyboard. Flip it up and slide your paper behind the roller, or cylinder.[4]
- Turn either cylinder knob until the paper comes up under the guide, then secure it. Once the paper appears, keep rolling until the carriage is located where you want to start typing. Remember that for most papers, your top margin should be . When the paper is where you want it to be, push the paper lock back into place.[5]
- Adjust the paper if necessary by pressing the paper release lever. If you need to make a small adjustment to the alignment of your paper, pull the paper lock forward again and press the paper release lever. Fix the paper, then push back the paper lock and the paper release lever.[6]
- Push the carriage to the right as far as it will go to begin typing. To start typing, use the carriage-return lever to push the carriage all the way to the right. When you have finished typing your first line, you should hear a bell.
- Return the carriage to its original position with the carriage-return lever. This will automatically drop you down to a new line. The line space lever is generally on the left side of the carriage.[7]
EditChanging the Ribbon - Change the ribbon when the type begins to fade. The ribbon is what transfers the ink to the paper when you strike a key. If you notice that your typing is starting to fade, it's probably time to change the ribbon.
- Press the shift-lock key and move the color control lever to the red dot. For most typewriters, engaging the shift-lock key, shifting the color control lever, then depressing 2 central keys at the same time will release the type bars and raise the ribbon carrier. If this doesn't work for yours, you may need to consult your user manual.[8]
- If your typewriter didn't come with a user manual, look online to see if you can find a copy. There are websites designed by typewriter enthusiasts containing manuals for almost every typewriter model that has been produced.
- Pay careful attention to how the ribbon is threaded through the carrier. Once your ribbon carrier is raised, look carefully to see how the ribbon is threaded so you'll be able to put it back in the same way. If you need to, draw a diagram to help you remember.[9]
- Lift the spools straight up or press the release lever for a cartridge. Most vintage typewriters use ribbon spools. If this is the case, you will lift the spools straight up to remove the old ribbon. Some later models, however, used cartridges. If this is the case, you should see a cartridge release lever. Press this, then remove the old cartridge and discard it.[10]
- Slide the new ribbon spools into place or snap in the new cartridge. Once you've discarded the old ribbon, carefully place the new ribbon in the ribbon carrier exactly how the old one sat. If you're using spools, the ribbon should wind from the back of the spools. A cartridge should easily snap into place.[11]
- Remove slack from the ribbon. Once your ribbon is correctly installed, you'll re-engage the type bars to hold it in place. Release the shift-lock key, then carefully turn either spool to take up any slack in the ribbon.[12]
EditMaintaining Your Typewriter - Clean the machine each time you use it. Use a small brush or a can of air duster to remove any dust and other debris that might build up on your typewriter. Dirt can get down into the type mechanisms, clogging them up and causing your keys to stick.[13]
- Cover your typewriter when it's not in use. Covering your typewriter will extend its life by protecting it from dust that's in the air. If you don't have a cover, try laying a pillowcase or a small blanket across your typewriter when you're not using it.[14]
- Oil your typewriter occasionally. You don't need to use much oil on your typewriter, but a little oil can help keep the parts functioning. How often you oil your typewriter depends on how often you use it — if you use it every day, oil it about once a week. Use the end of a pin or paper clip to apply a lightweight oil (such as gun oil) to the carriage rails.[15]
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