Unlock TONS of Flamenco Guitar with Only 2 Chords

Flamenco guitar can sound incredibly complex, but what if I told you that you can play some fantastic, authentic flamenco music with just two chords? In this post, we’re going to explore how two simple chords — A major and B flat major — can unlock a ton of flamenco guitar techniques, allowing you to play (at least) five distinct and captivating flamenco forms.

You may be familiar with the idea of sliding an open E chord up one fret and back to mimic a "Spanish" sound, but that approach only scratches the surface. Instead, we're going to focus on a more nuanced, flamenco-specific method to make the most out of two other chords.

The Flamenco A Chord

Let's start with the A major chord, which is a staple in flamenco. You’re likely already familiar with the basic A major shape, but the flamenco way of playing it adds a bit more freedom.

To play the A major in a flamenco style:

1. Place your second finger on the second fret of the second string.

2. Use your index finger to bar the 3rd and 4th strings, but with a slant. The goal is to only press down on those two strings.

3. Ensure that the first string (high E) is left open, so it rings clearly.

It may feel a bit awkward at first, but this positioning gives you more freedom to add additional notes and ornaments to your playing.

The B Flat Major Chord (Flamenco Style)

The next chord is B flat major, but this one is played a bit differently from what you might expect. Typically, you would barre the entire fretboard to play a B flat major chord, but flamenco guitarists simplify this by playing an easier version. Here’s how you can approach it:

1. Use your index finger to press the first fret of the fourth string (Bb).

2. Use your ring finger to press the third fret of the third string and tuck your pinky underneath the ring finger and play the third fret of the second string.

3. Let the first string (high E) ring open, just like in the A major chord.

4. The fourth string (D) remains open.

This version of the B flat major chord is technically a B flat with an augmented fourth (a Lydian sound), but it’s far easier to play compared to the barred version. It also opens up new possibilities for playing with other notes:

The Magic of Switching Between A and B Flat

Now that we have these two chords, we can begin to explore how to switch between them smoothly. One common challenge when learning these shapes is getting all of the fingers down at once. A good practice technique is to work on switching between A and B flat while focusing on pressing down the weaker fingers first, then gradually meeting the stronger fingers (your index and middle) for a smooth, coordinated switch.

Basic Flamenco Rhythms and Forms

Now, let’s dive into some flamenco forms that can be played with just these two chords.

1. Tangos

Tangos is one of the more straightforward flamenco rhythms, and it can be played in 4/4 time. Each chord — B flat and A — gets one full measure, and the rhythm follows this pattern:

As you get comfortable, you can start to add embellishments like extra notes on the strings, including some quick, melodic flourishes that use notes within the scale.

2. Tientos

Tientos uses the same chords (A and B flat) but with a shuffled rhythm. This rhythm isn’t very common in classical or pop music, but it’s a signature part of flamenco.

Start by playing A to B flat, and feel the swing of the eighth notes. To add a little extra flair, you can integrate some passing notes, like those available from the A and B flat scale. The goal is to give a sense of forward motion with each note, while still maintaining a steady, rhythmic pulse:

3. Andalusian Cadence & Bonus Chords

While we’re working with these two main chords, there are a couple of bonus chords we can use to spice things up. For example, we can substitute B flat with a variation of D minor (played as B flat over D) to create a more complex, evocative sound.

To practice this, take your B flat and shift your index finger down to the D note (third fret on the second string), allowing the open D string to ring. This gives you a beautiful, minor flavor that blends well with flamenco. It’s a nice, easy way to evoke the famous Andalusian cadence, which is heard throughout flamenco.

4. More Advanced Rhythms: Counting to 12

As you progress, you’ll encounter more complex forms that involve counting to 12, which is typical in flamenco rhythms. For example, in a common form like Soleá or Bulerías, the rhythm is counted in 12 beats, with accents falling on specific beats: 3, 6, 8, 10, and 12.

The trick here is getting comfortable with the 12-beat cycle and learning to accentuate the proper beats. You'll also incorporate more complex strumming patterns, like the Rasgueado, to add rhythm and texture.

Extra Notes and Flamenco Flourishes

Once you’ve got these chords down, there are a few extra notes you can throw in for good measure. These notes are all available within the scale of A and B flat and can be added as ornaments.

For example:

• The D string (open) is a common note you’ll see, as well as the F, E and C notes on the 4th and 5th strings.

• You can also add some chromatic passing notes or sharp notes to add harmonic complexity to your playing, especially in the A major chord.

Adding these notes in between chord changes can help you sound more fluent in flamenco style, and it also makes switching between chords feel a little less rigid and more fluid. For example, look at the end of this phrase from Soleá por Bulerías:

Conclusion

With just two chords — A and B flat — you can already begin playing five different flamenco forms and explore a variety of intricate rhythms. The secret to mastering flamenco guitar is all about understanding the subtle techniques, chord voicings, and rhythms that make the music sound so unique.

Once you get comfortable with these basics, you'll be able to dive deeper into more advanced flamenco forms and rhythms, giving you endless opportunities for expression. Watch this tutorial where I demonstrate all of the above including some more advanced forms like Seguiryas and Bulerías: