The flamenco downstroke is a simple fingering technique that plays the entire chord at once by using the index finger. The front of the right-hand index fingernail is used to create a soft, single sound. The index finger hovers above the third and fourth strings, while the rest of the fingers are ready to add depth or dampening to the sound. Adding fingers to the downstroke creates a louder sound, but beginners should start to practice this method by using only the index finger.
The upstroke is used for songs with faster tempos, immediately after the downstroke is played. The right-hand fingers hover at the same spot as with the downstroke, as the index finger creates a smooth, single chord. When greater volume is needed, the back of the thumbnail may be used in place of the index finger.
In this stroke the index, middle, and ring fingers of the right hand play the downstroke. Instead of playing the chord all at once, each finger makes a distinct entrance. The guitarist feels the rhythm, and plays the single chord with three different starting points. For further sound depth, the rasgueo can be played with four fingers. For faster tempos, the downward rasgueo is followed by an immediate upward rasgueo.
In the rest stroke, the finger plucks one string, then rests on the adjacent string. Only the tip of the finger is used in this method, and is needed primarily for scales and for creating distinct melodies. This technique can also be used by alternating fingers. Alternatively, the free stroke is primarily used for chords, arpeggios and self-accompaniment. The guitarist plucks with each finger, from index to middle to ring to pinky. The fingers touch one string, and avoid the others during play.
In this method, the bass note is played using the side of the thumb, while the other fingers play the rest of the chord. The four other fingers pluck or strum using the preferred technique, depending on the desired effect. It's faster and more accurate than attempting to play with just the thumb. It creates a similar sound to using a plectrum (pick) on a steel-strung guitar and is one of the more techniques for beginner fingerpicking.