Flamenco guitarists use a device called a cejilla to raise the guitar’s pitch, giving added brightness to its tone. Originally, guitarists used a cejilla in order to match the pitch of different singers in the Cante. Now, nearly all Flamenco performers use the cejilla. The cejilla acts as a movable nut, fixed across the strings, which stops the strings when it is fastened tightly right behind a fret. For solo playing, the guitarist will usually place the cejilla at a fret between one and four, usually on the second fret. Guitarists primarily use the cejilla on positions higher than four only for accompaniment. We suggest that you practice exercises without the cejilla in place, however, in order to develop strength and ease of use in your left hand. This will put you on a faster track to technical mastery, since your hand must stretch farther, which in turn develops your flexibility – a definite asset when playing your guitar. Cejillas are available in two styles. The first, the more traditional of the two, is crafted from finely carved and decorated hardwood. These cejillas are tied down with a nylon string which is wound around a wooden peg, the peg inserted into a hole in the wooden crosspiece. This style protects the neck of the guitar by a leather thong attached to the crosspiece, absorbing the string’s pressure. The second style of cejilla is the more modern variety, constructed out of metal with a rubber lining, a plastic crossbar, and a nylon strap.
