Summarize the following:
Major scales figure prominently in flamenco music. If you've already been playing guitar for a while, they are likely some of the first scales you learned as well. Try playing the scales in a way that emulates the basic rhythm and meter of common flamenco styles. For example, the flamenco style Alegrias is typically in C Major. Since this is a fairly simple scale with no sharps or flats, it can be a good place to start. Practice switching between different scales. This will give you the ability to switch keys while you play, a technique known as modulation. This technique figures prominently in pieces performed by many famous flamenco guitarists. Barre chords require significant finger strength, but they are essential to master if you want to play flamenco guitar. Barre chords allow you to play more chords up and down the fretboard, and to transition between those chords more quickly. To make a barre chord, you place your index finger over the fretboard so that you're pressing down all of the strings at the same time. If you're just starting out, placing your middle finger over the top of your index finger can help you understand the pressure required to press down the strings cleanly. Press your thumb into the back of the neck of the guitar and apply even pressure to stabilize your hand. For example, you can make an E Major barre chord by barring the 8th fret with your index finger. Place your ring finger on the 10th fret of the 5th string, and your pinky finger on the 10th fret of the 4th string. Then place your middle finger on the 9th fret of the 3rd string. Strum and adjust your fingers until you have a clean sound. You know how to make chord shapes with your left hand, but you're probably used to just strumming the chord altogether. With an arpeggio, you play each of the notes of the chord individually. You can practice different playing techniques using an arpeggio before you advance to learning flamenco melodies. Arpeggios can also be a good way to stretch and warm up your fingers. For the picado technique, you'll strike the strings of your guitar by alternating your index and middle fingers. If you already know single-line scales, you can use them to practice this flamenco technique. For the picado technique, strike the string downward, rather than plucking the string up as you would in classical guitar. This difference can take some getting used to, especially if you have a lot of experience with classical guitar, so be patient. Even though you're supposed to play picado very fast, start out by playing slowly until your fingers are used to striking the strings correctly.
Focus on Major scales. Practice basic barre chords. Play your chords as arpeggios. Use the picado technique to play scales.