Flamenco Guitarist

Flamenco guitar demands rapid, percussive, and intense movements, leading to specific muscle overuse patterns. These differ from classical or electric guitar due to techniques like rasgueo, picado, tremolo, and golpe.

Extensor digitorum

• Used in rasgueos (explosive finger extension).
• Prone to extensor fatigue and lateral epicondylitis (“tennis elbow”).

• Stabilizes wrist during arpegios and golpe.
• Chronic tension can cause wrist pain and tendinitis.

• Control finger independence for picado and tremolo.
• High demand for precision and endurance.

• Active during thumb rasgueos and percussive tapping.
• Risk of De Quervain's syndrome with overuse.

• Major role in fret pressure, especially in barre chords.
• Easily fatigued in repetitive chord transitions.

• Responsible for thumb pressure behind the neck during barré.
• Highly stressed in flamenco due to tight grip on fast progressions.

• Controls forearm rotation during left-hand shifts.
• Active in constant repositioning on the neck.

Tip: Warm-up routines and posture correction can significantly reduce muscle strain. Consider alternating intense pieces with lighter ones during practice sessions.