Spanish guitar
You can play Malagueña with just two fingers in your fretting hand: two partial chord shapes, E and A minor, with a picking pattern that alternates your thumb and the open first string.
This traditional Spanish piece is the one I’m asked to play most at performances. In the US it was made popular by José Feliciano and Roy Clark. It sounds most authentic on a nylon-string guitar, but you can play it on steel strings too.
Download the notes and tab (PDF) to follow along.
The E Part
Strings are counted from the thinnest: the high E string is the first string. Start with a partial E chord:
- First finger on the third string at the first fret.
- Second finger on the fourth string at the second fret.
- Angle your fingers a little so they don’t touch the first and second strings.
Your picking hand alternates: your thumb plays a note, then your first finger plays the open first string. The thumb plays the fourth string, then the third, then the second, each followed by the open first string. Written as string numbers, that’s 4, 1, 3, 1, 2, 1. Start with me at 1:04.
The A Minor Part
Now make a partial A minor chord: first finger on the second string at the first fret, and second finger on the third string at the second fret. This part has a little melody that walks down a scale. Keep alternating with the open first string after each melody note:
- Third string, second fret
- Second string, first fret
- Second string, open (lift your first finger)
- Third string, second fret
- Third string, open (lift your second finger)
- Fourth string, third fret (third finger)
Then put the partial E chord back down. Hear the melody at 2:57.
How to Practice It
- Go back and forth between the two partial chord shapes until they feel familiar.
- Practice the picking hand alone on the E shape, so the alternating becomes a habit.
- Play the melody on its own, so you can hear it clearly in your head.
- Put it all together very slowly, and just get the notes right. You’ll want to rush; don’t.
I walk through the whole thing slowly at 5:42.
When you’re ready for more, try my Malagueña with a little tremolo, which uses the same two shapes with a different picking pattern.
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This learning version is truly Awesome!
The split screen views of the left and right hand is most helpful.
Tomas, you have really nailed it this time. My favorite lesson yet!
Thanks so much.
that was great show me more
Greetings,
Working on this one.
Thanks for sharing.
pax, Harvey
Excellent lesson, love these simple songs with the tab/notes sheets,,,,thank you
Nice Job Thomas
You made it look easy
Thanks again for sending me this wonderful lesson. I’m starting to practice hoping to learn it quickly. Please keep those lessons coming. :))
I like your style of teaching, especially when you have us play along with you.
Thanx for the great lesson
Thanks for this wonderfull lesson. Check on the pronunciation of the syllable -gue- The -u- does not have two dots -Ü-(diéresis), therefore it is “silent”. Say it as in the word “guerra” (war). It’s a minor thing but…
Thanks for the lesson, I enjoyed it. Have downloaded the music and will give it a try.
Hi Jeni… The download really helps for this one.
Thank you so much! I looked this up because one night on Jimmy Fallon Show, Keith Richards told that his grandfather taught him to play guitar with *one song*. He told Keith that once he learned to play this song, he could easily play any song. It worked. He suggested this song for anyone who wants to learn to play guitar.
Wow… I didn’t know that. That’s cool. Thanks for that comment Riley. -Tomas
Very easy to follow
Thank you
You’re welcome Dave. -Tomas
Thank You Tomas for a very informative and well paced tutorial.
A pleasure to participate in. Even for an old newbie like me.
I will continue to practise now. Regards Stewart B
You are very welcome Stewart. -Tomas
thanks with your method of teaching it looks so easy could you tell me what this symble means it is shaped like a square n thanks again mike
Hi Mike. Do you mean this – ñ?
Thank you so much for making this available. I’m finding learning guitar very difficult and really appreciate being able to play something.
Please keep doing these videos.
Thanks for letting me know Diane. I’m happy to hear that it’s helpful. – Tomas
The best, clearest explanation and demonstration I’ve found online! I love the little “hammer-on” touch in Bar 3 (3rd string – open to second fret)! What do you think of double picking the first string (pointer, middle) in the chorus? Great stuff, Thomas … thank you!
You are very welcome Peter. I glad I could help. -Tomas
Just started lessons but your demo helped thanks john
Glad I could help John. -Tomas
Thank you. I can’t wait to try this with your instruction. I love it!
GREAT SONG. I USED TO LISTEN TO A FRIEND OF MINE PLAY IT, 25 YEARS AGO, AND WISHED I COULD PLAY IT ONE DAY. TKS FOR THIS GREAT VIDEO. I WILL SHOW HIM ONE DAY WHEN I SEE HIM AGAIN THAT I CAN PLAY IT TOO.
I found this tutorial really useful
I glad you liked it Henry.
Although I need an intermediate version, I am so happy to see this lesson for beginners to enjoy. It is such a beautiful song and is a pleasant respite from the usual blues/rock/metal music so prevalent today.
Thank you very much. Today was my first Spanish Guitar tune and you have been a real help. Looking forward to taking it to Spain once Ive worked on it a bit more!!!!
Thanks for the video, instruction, & split screen. Very informative, easy to follow, now just have to try to emulate. Am a beginner (2nd time around, 50 years later), having just bought a Cordoba Fusion 12 Spruce “crossover”, on-line from Sweetwater in Indiana. Expect delivery in a couple of days. Found your site by looking for Malaguena guitar sheet music on-line & was hooked by your tagline, “How to Play Malaguena on Guitar- Easy Version.” You make it appear very easy, & if I’m able to discipline myself, maybe I’ll get to that place of “perfect practice makes perfect” (eventually). Thanks, looking forward to perusing the other aspects of your site.
Hi Tomas,
What a great video…I love Malaguenia, first saw it played by Jose Feliciano…and wanted to learn it ever since!! 30years now!
Your tutorial made it very easy to start…and thats what I m doing now. Not too sure how long it will take, but I wont give up
regards
ted
Hello, I am interested in learning Spanish style Guitar and Malagueña for beginning guitarist. I have an Acoustic guitar but I will use it to play Spanish music. Do you have an complete Malagueña course I can buy instead of paying monthly?
Thanks.
Hello Tom,
Can you tell me how to proceed after playing the A minor chord when playing Malagueña following along with you on You Tube? I get lost after playing the A minor chord. Please help by slowing down in your demonstration.
Very explanatory and well presented on video.
Love the Malaguena the way you play and teach it, but I can not find where the Tab and chord chart is that you would send itto me if I ask. At 79 years I am trying to learn spanish music, or as much as I can, but on a fixed income do not have the funds to pay a tutor as you. if your reading this can you please send me that chord and tab chart for the easy Malaguena ? Have a great time God bless and keep you!!
.
Hello Dwight, there was a link on the blog post at the bottom that you must have missed! Here it is in any case. Best of luck! https://tomasmichaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Malaguena-Easy2.pdf
do you have a harder version of this song, also in your presentations you need to go a little slower to the actual notes to be played Im 76
Hi Roger,
I’m Tomas’s assistant and am happy to answer your question! There is a great course on Tomas’s Real Guitar Success website, https://realguitarsuccess.com/courses/malaguena-spanish-fingerstyle-solo/ . This is a complete version of this song which you will definitely find more challenging. You will however need to be a member of Real Guitar Success if you aren’t already, in order to take this course. I highly encourage you to sign up for the 14-day FREE trial to Real Guitar Success (RGS), as not only can you dabble in that course, but many others as well! Tomas has also built out a complete Spanish Guitar Course on RGS which is also included to members. I hope this helps to answer your question!