Five Common Mistakes to Avoid With the Triplet Rasgueado

Spanish guitar is full of spectacular rasgueados—those rhythmic bursts where we strike the strings with our nails. Among all of them, one of the most famous and fun to play is the triplet rasgueado: a three-stroke cycle that creates an energetic, rolling flamenco sound.

This technique looks flashy and complex, but it’s built from only three simple motions:
Up with the thumb → Down with the middle finger → Down with the thumb.
Master those, and you’re halfway there.

In this guide, we’ll break down how the technique works and—most importantly—the five biggest mistakes to avoid so your rasgueado develops cleanly, evenly, and without frustration.

What Is the Triplet Rasgueado?

The triplet rasgueado (or rasgueado por tres) is a pattern grouped in threes—often heard as:

Trip-le-let, Trip-le-let…

Even though the rhythm can vary (you can also play it in sixteenth-note groupings), the mechanical pattern stays the same:
Thumb up → Middle finger down → Thumb down.

There are several variations. Some players use:

• Thumb up → middle and ring finger together → thumb down

• Thumb up → pinky down → index down

• Thumb up → ring → index

But the classic version—thumb up, middle down, thumb down—is the most accessible and balanced for most players.

The 5 Things Not to Do When Practicing Triplet Rasgueado

1. Don’t Start by Using Your Wrist

Eventually, your speed and endurance will come from a loose, efficient wrist rotation. But if you start there, you’ll learn the motions incorrectly.

When you’re beginning:

• Do NOT move from the wrist.

• Memorize the three strokes using only your fingers.

Practice the cycle slowly:

1. Thumb up, all the way

2. Middle finger down, all the way

3. Thumb down, all the way

Do this everywhere—on the couch, in the car, without a guitar—until the sequence becomes automatic. Only once it's internalized should you add the wrist motion.

2. Don’t Keep Your Knuckles Parallel to the Strings

This is a common classical-guitar position, especially for arpeggios or tremolo. But for rasgueado, it actually works against you.

With knuckles parallel:

• You attack the strings from a side angle

• The thumb gets stuck more easily

• The motion feels stiff and restricted

Instead, tilt your hand slightly toward the soundhole.
That angle:

• Smooths out the stroke

• Prevents snagging

• Matches the natural arc of rasgueado players

Watch any high-level flamenco guitarist—you’ll see this slanted hand orientation almost every time.

3. Don’t Get Too Deep Into the Strings

Beginners often “dig in” too far, especially when the thumb travels upward. This leads to:

• Getting caught underneath a string

• Painful thumb jams

• Hesitation or fear on the next stroke

To fix this, imagine:

• Your thumb moves in a rounded arc, not a straight line

• The lowest part of that arc passes across the middle strings

• The first string is struck lightly because you approach it from above, not underneath

This arc shape is essential. When you see advanced rasgueado played fast, that arcing thumb motion is exactly what makes it smooth and effortless.

4. Don’t Accent the Wrong Stroke

Ultimately, all three strokes should be even—no accents unless you want them.

But if you must have an accent somewhere (and many players do when starting), put it on:

✔️ The upstroke with the thumb

Accenting the middle finger or the downward thumb can unbalance the rhythm and force bad habits that are hard to undo.

Note:
There are exceptions.
For example, if you play the technique in sixteenth-notes (1 e & a), the accents may shift depending on the groupings or musical context. But for learning the technique, thumb-up accents are the safest.

5. Don’t Let Your Thumb Drop When the Middle Finger Strikes

This is the most subtle—but arguably the most important—mistake.

Here’s what often happens:

1. Thumb goes up

2. Middle finger goes down

3. Thumb follows the middle finger downward (by accident)

4. Now the thumb is already down, so it can’t complete the final stroke

5. You have to pull it back up, causing a pause or disruption

Instead:

• Keep the thumb suspended in the air while the middle finger strikes

• Imagine the thumb pointing toward your forehead

• It should stay up and ready for the next downward thumb stroke

You may even need to hold your thumb in place with your other hand at first—whatever it takes to train the separation between the two fingers.

When done correctly:

• Thumb goes up-down-up-down with no interruptions

• The middle finger simply “drops in” during the thumb-up moment

• The entire cycle becomes continuous and smooth

Final Thoughts: Enjoy the Technique (But Don’t Overdo It!)

Once you master the mechanics, rasgueado becomes addicting. You’ll want to plug it into rumbas, falsetas, and every Spanish-style groove you can think of.

And that’s great—just don’t use it so much that people start wondering,
“What’s wrong with that guy?” 😄

There are dozens of rasgueado variations to explore. Once you have the triplet version mastered, check out more advanced or unusual patterns to expand your palette and keep your strumming fresh.

Watch the full tutorial: