Welcome to the exciting world of rumba strums and some of the most fun you can have with the guitar! In these pages, authoritative flamenco guitarist, founder of New York Guitar Academy, Quarantined Quartet and Jay & Lee Rumba Flamenca Group, Elysa Hochman demonstrates 25 rumba strumming patterns plus two combinations, giving each a name so that they might be accurately discussed and combined to form other hybrid patterns. Having originated among African slaves in Cuba, the term rumba can represent several unrelated musical styles; by the early 20th century, however, an up-tempo version had caught-on with flamenco musicians in Spain and the cultural cross-fertilization process was complete. Like the rasgueado techniques common to flamenco, rumba strumming has remained largely a mystery to non-flamenco guitarists— until now! Using standard notation, tablature and online audio and video recordings, Hochman clearly defines each rumba strumming pattern and illustrates them in typical chord progressions and voicings used in Spanish, classical, and flamenco guitar. This book is essential for any guitarist interested in becoming proficient in rhythm guitar and/or the nuevo flamenco genre of music. The book culminates with a useful “Index of Rumba Strums” enabling you to build your own rumba strumming patterns and bring your audience to their feet!