Flamenco chords

When it comes to chords and flamenco it's a combination of ordinary open chord, even barre chords and many voicings.

The Spanish cadence

You could use typical open chords when playing in the style of flamenco, especially A minor and E major are a basic progression, which also are used as an cadence. These can in some cases be substitued with barre chords.

Am

  • maj7 chord diagram

E

  • maj7 chord diagram

Dm

  • maj7 chord diagram

C

  • m7 chord diagram

 

Typical chords and voicings

Here are some typical flamenco chords including voicings.

E

  • E chord diagram

Fmaj7#11

  • Fmaj7#11 chord diagram

F

  • F chord diagram

F/E

  • F/E chord diagram

G/E

  • G/E chord diagram

A

  • A flamenco chord diagram

Bb

  • Bb flamenco chord diagram

C9

  • C9 flamenco chord diagram

The chord called "A" is as you can se a regular A chord but with a finger on the third fret. You can also alternate between the ordinary A and the flamenco voicing.

The second shape of m7 has only three notes you could add a fourth by playing it as X2X232 for example. More chords will follow below.

Chord progressions

Some chord progressions to try are:

E - F/E

Dm - C - Bb - A

A - Bb - F - C/G - Bb - A

Combine chords with scales

To enrich the playing with melody lines et cetera you should combine these chords with scales. Two scales frequently  used in flamenco are "Por Aribba" and "Por Medio". You can find instructions for these together with more information about chords in this Brief Introduction to Flamenco Guitar.

Techniques and rhythms

Chords and scales are important tools, but in flamenco it's also fundamental to use proper techniques and congenial rhythms. A useful resource is this lesson What is Flamenco Guitar? Terms and Techniques You Need to Know.

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