First Steps with 'Malagueña' (Spanish Classical Guitar)

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In this week's lesson I'll teach how to get started with Malagueña, the traditional Spanish classical guitar tune. Even if you don't know this song by name, I would bet you find it recognizable when listening — as it just oozes with Spanish flamenco vibes.

In my video lesson I'll show you two ways to play the main melody. First, I'll teach it using strings 2-4, which uses notes you're already used to fretting while playing the familiar E major and A minor chords. Then, I'll show you the same melody played an octave lower — which gives a deep & rich bass sound.

Finally, I'll demonstrate how you can adding the droning high E-string (played after each melody note). While this a bit difficult to learn at first, it's worth practicing — as it evokes those Spanish guitar flavors and sounds great. Let's get to it!

- 0:00 Lesson Summary
- 1:45 Melody on thinner strings
- 4:17 Melody on thicker strings
- 7:30 With droning E-string (thinner)
- 11:36 With droning E-string (thicker)

[dxdelafu]

Excellent lesson. I’ve worked on the full song for years and I like coming back to these type of lessons as I find something new to add. Thank you!
One easy thing your students might enjoy is to take the E chord up a half step (same shape) to the 3rd fret, strum a few times, then up again to a full step (same shape) to the 5th fret and strum a few times, the back to 3rd fret, then back to 2nd fret. Easy and it sounds great on this song.

[iwmrlvf]

My first song I learned! Worth the time to learn! Thanks David ❤👍🎸😀

[prizepig]

I love your teaching style. I have picked up more patterns just a couple days than I have in 2 months watching some other youtubers

[russelllipps]

Wondered if u would teach this song ?? Glad u did love the song !!!

[humanvoicemail]

😮 got me out of my multi year not-playing funk

[jwom]

A great song to learn as you can add more and more as you gain more experience and it's sounds amazing!

[norbertmaier]

very fine. What a guitar you're playing here?

[actionkid]

Can you do corrina corrina by Bob Dylan!

[roytrillia]

The u in malagueña is mute
Pronounce it malageña