Bossa Rhythm Patterns - Overview is a video guitar lesson presented by Fareed Haque and is sourced from 1-2-3 Bossa Nova.
In this section we will take the basic bossa right hand pattern and break it down into 3 simple parts. But first! A few words about right hand technique. Classical guitar technique is basically the same as Brazilian guitar technique - which would explain why so many great classical guitarists come from Brazil! Here are some general principles: 1) To articulate or "pluck" strings we use thumb, index, middle and ring finger. Usually these are identified by the letters p for thumb (Actually Spanish for thumb - PULGAR), i for index finger, m for middle finger, a for ring (Spanish for ring finger - ANULAR). "Pinky" or "e" is rarely used. 2) Flesh and Nail: The basic contact with string is with flesh. Later on we will add nail to give brightness and possibilities for different tone colors. 3) Hand position: Right arm touches guitar roughly at top of guitar where bridge points to upper bout. Wrist remains relatively straight with a slight arch away from top. Touch strings with left side of fingertip. Fingers move in towards palm, and thumb moves away from fingers and away from top of guitar. Fingers and thumb make a little cross as they move away from each other. That's the basics. Check out Vladimir Bobri's "The Segovia Technique" as well as Christopher Parkening's method as they are both excellent and clear. But by far the best book is Pepe Romero's "La Guitarra: A Comprehensive Study of Classical Guitar Technique and Guide to Performing". It has been rereleased by Guitar Salon International and is amazing!
