El Chinati

“El Chinati” is a Spanish influenced Level 2 piece that introduces ima Rasqueado with simple chords in the left hand. Students will read all notes and accidentals in this piece. Begin by teaching basic ima rasqueado:

Students will:

1. Use right hand to make a motion like they are “flicking water” on someone after they washed their hands
2. The top of the nail of ima fingers rests on the pad of the thumb, pressure builds pushing the fingers out and they are released in a quick flicking motion.
3. Place thumb on D string making sure that the wrist is straight, ima are tucked inside the palm.
4. In one quick motion, ima come out in that flicking motion, strumming open GBE strings
5. Repeat in quarter note 3/4 time
6. Play eighth notes in 3/4 time rearticulating the treble strings as the fingers return into the palm creating an Out-In-Out-In motion.
7. Play the exact rhythm of Part 1 measure 8: rest, Out-In-Out

• Teach individual chords making sure that the left hand is in good position and fingers are on the tips so that each note rings out. Have the students label their scores with the chord names Am, E, Dm. All students can learn each part of “El Chinati”.

The audio recording for this selection was performed by members of the Austin Classical Guitar Youth Orchestra Iris Rentaria, James Snyder, and Aidan Suskic, engineered by ACGYO member and ACG intern Lennox Kolics, and recorded at Chez Boom Audio in Austin, Texas, which generously donated studio space, equipment, and expert guidance.