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Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | If you are a finger picker, James Taylor has an interesting lesson on how he takes care of his nails to play day in and day out. Interesting, but a lot of time I would say...
Click on the Nails 101 video ...
http://www.jamestaylor.com/guitarlessons/ |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 608
Location: Caribou, ME | Oh God no. No nails. Eeek. That's like... um well, actually it's like nails on a chalkboard to me (how convenient).
I keep them clipped back to borderline bloodletting. I rely on the meat on my fingertips. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | Yeah, I'm more of a picker and clip my nails down to the pink. Can't stand to feel nails on the board or the strings. |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | when you clip your nails, don't cut them down to the meat. Always leave a little of the white. I had to see a doctor about this. |
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Joined:
November 2010
Posts: 125
Location: Derry NH | My left hand has the nails trimmed noticeably closer than does my right. Whenever I feel a nail hitting the fretboard, it oogs me out wicked bad. I had to take a cpl days off once on account of clipping w-a-a-A-A-A-a-y-y-y too close and drawing blood. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Just shy of the pink for me. I've found a good gauge is pressing up on the fingertip and the edge of the skin is even with the edge of the nail. Any shorter than that and my fingertips get sore from the nail digging in when I press down on the fretboard. Same with the picking hand. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Why do it yourself when you can easily hire a gang of small Korean women to do it for you? |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | We're talking about fingernails, Brad. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 608
Location: Caribou, ME | Back in '94 I did something horrible to my left index finger, slammed it in a door or dropped something on it, I don't even remember now. The nail went black and I lost it. Ever since, that nail is my barometer to clip my nails. Right now there's maybe a generous 1/16" sticking out past the pink and it feels like I'm snagging or bumping it constantly. Sends chills up my spine just being aware of anything sticking out, thinking I'll hit something and rip it off. I'll probably dig out the clippers once I hit 'add reply'. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | I've seen women play with long nails, even on the left hand. I don't know how they do it. |
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Joined:
September 2008
Posts: 1281
Location: Ohio | Meat of the fingertips for me...I HAVE the sould of nail on a fretboard |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by nikon4004:
I HAVE the sould of nail on a fretboard This reminds me of something...... |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ....I use these: AlaskaPiks exclusively for all my fingerpicking (with a regular thumbpick though) including banjo picking....
....my friend uses them for all of his classical guitar work including the one for the thumb.
They are GREAT! |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 160
Location: Montana | I saw Dolly Parton play once on an interview. And like me, you might think, "how does she play guitar with such large, ......, fingernails?" Well she played open G tuning and simply barred the top couple strings with her index finger.
When I was in Matt Smith's quickie free workshop, a bunch of little girls with cute pink guitars showed up. Some of them had never ever touched a guitar before. Matt quickly (and I mean quick!) re-tuned everyone's guitar to open G and had everyone playing songs in no time. It was really sweet to see and actually quite fun. |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| I'll be contrary to the majority opinion here (there's a surprise!) and advocate for fingernails. Of course, a lot depends on the dynamics of the song - sometimes you need the softer legato stroke of the meat of your finger, other times the staccato strike of your nail to bring out an important phrase. With nails I can do either, just by varying the angle of attack on the strings. Without nails I'd be limiting myself to far less expression. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I was always too nervous to grow nails, plus I did thing like changing oil, working in the dirt and other manual labor that caused them to get dirty and break if they weren't short. For the past 5 years or so, I have no nail on the left hand and about 1/16 to 1/8 of white showing on each finger of the right hand. I've done pretty well on maintenance so that my fingers look like a fingerpicker, until I start playing.
I tried finger and thumb picks years ago, but never got the hang of it, maybe because I didn't try the right kind. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by G8r:
I'll be contrary to the majority opinion here (there's a surprise!) and advocate for fingernails. Of course, a lot depends on the dynamics of the song - sometimes you need the softer legato stroke of the meat of your finger, other times the staccato strike of your nail to bring out an important phrase. With nails I can do either, just by varying the angle of attack on the strings. Without nails I'd be limiting myself to far less expression. All the pros use nails or finger picks, i'm just too clumsy when I try...hit the wrong string, snag a string, twang when I mean to mute. But you, g8r, have the patience to learn the right way to play this friggin instrument, and it shows in your rapid improvement. More power to ya! |
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Joined:
March 2009
Posts: 416
Location: On the Coast - Halfway between SF & OR | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
I was always too nervous to grow nails, plus I did thing like changing oil, working in the dirt and other manual labor that caused them to get dirty and break if they weren't short.
Current work being septic system maintenance, my nails stay short. But that aside, I've never tried growing them out. Use a thumb and 2 finger picks when playing a pedal steel but could never get used to them when playing an upright guitar. Something about the different hand position I guess. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
I did thing like changing oil, working in the dirt and other manual labor that caused them to get dirty And all this time I thought you were a lawyer. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | I have nails the consistency of a 3"x5" card and have tried a couple of times to use hardener (Formaldehyde) and still can't get beyond the 1/8" without a big rip or split. It just ain't meant to happen. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Originally posted by Waskel:
Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
I did thing like changing oil, working in the dirt and other manual labor that caused them to get dirty And all this time I thought you were a lawyer. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Online guitar guru Justin Sandercoe states that he goes to the salon and gets those glue-on fingernails for pickin'.
Yeah, his friends rag him for it but he sez that it is really effective. (or affective) |
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Joined:
November 2009
| If God had intended us to play with nails, He wouldn't have given us fingerpicks. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | Originally posted by Tim in Yucaipa:
....I use these: AlaskaPiks exclusively for all my fingerpicking (with a regular thumbpick though) including banjo picking....
....my friend uses them for all of his classical guitar work including the one for the thumb.
They are GREAT!
Kaki King uses the glue on extensions, which look fine on a chick but too metro- for a stud like me. ;) |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | FlySig,
…for me they are the perfect solution. You can keep the normal length "man nails" but still get great tone & response whilst fingerpicking.
The brass ones are a bit scratchy on roundwounds, but the plastic ones are great.
You even trim them to suit your style just like regular nails using clippers & nail files! |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I keep the left hand cut short.
Right hand about 1/8 to 1/4. On the index and middle I use super glue and a powdered resign to build them up. It's not that they are weak, they actually are very thick, but the way I flat pick I can really wear down those two nails, so I build them up. It usually lasts about three weeks and then I have to build it back up again. I got the powder from Ed Gerhardt who had the best quote...."I started playing guitar to pick up young chicks and wind up talking with old men about my fingernails"
The right thumb isn't that important anymore, I used to keep the nail long but recently my playing style has been more thumb pad with just a little nail and if I want a little more nail tone I just turn my hand in more. |
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Joined:
December 2010
Posts: 7
Location: Maryland USA | I sat and Watched that thing with James Taylor doing his nails the other day...Always loved his sound and he can dive me crazy at times tryin his stuff...But I'm sure glad I got nails as strong as a steel cause im NOT slappin fiberglass lookin stuff on my DANG HANDS..hahaa |
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Joined:
December 2002
Posts: 8
Location: North East England | When I started picking I kept my nails short and used the meat on my fingertips. After a while I graduated onto using my nails which gave me better control and a nicer sound.
When a nail broke I resorted to glueing on a false plastic nail with superglue.
A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with cancer and one of the side effects of my treatment was the softening of my nails. I eventually plucked up the courage to visit a nail salon to see what they could offer. I came away with acrylic coated nails and they are fantastic. It only costs me £4 every 6 weeks to get them topped up.
The only downside is that before I had them done I used a nail clipper to trim my nails. Now I have to use a mini-dremel.
My initial embarrassment at entering a nail salon has been replaced by an amusement at the look on the faces of the other clients when a 20 stone Guinness-loving guy enters the salon and proceeds to have a nail job. |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | My hands look like they belong on a ninety-yr-old ape. They're not large, just really ugly and beat up. I really abused them a lot in my younger years with a long history of martial arts training. I also have arthritis in my knuckles. With all that said, I have tried growing them longer for finger-picking and they keep breaking. I had thought about the "salon-thing" before, but I don't think I could handle the ribbing at the local "table of knowledge" in the coffee shop. This place is pretty red-neck, and the main topics of discussion here are sports, fishing, and killing things. On the other hand, I guess I COULD just keep my work gloves on.
Thanks for the pic link Tim. That may be a good solution for me. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by bvince:
On the other hand, I guess I COULD just keep my work gloves on. Or you could just bring your guitar in, play a piece, then offer the guys an opportunity to do the same. |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Good Point, but I think I'll try out the finger picks first. (: |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Online guitar guru Justin Sandercoe states that he goes to the salon and gets those glue-on fingernails for pickin'.
Yeah, his friends rag him for it but he sez that it is really effective. (or affective) I have a friend who is a professional finger-style concert guitarist and teacher...he has been using the applied fingernails for years...I have to say the volume and tone he gets and the control he has is really noticeable...I suppose its a matter of personal taste...I have a difficult time using finger picks: I have never been able to get used to them...even though I know the difference in volume and tone is remarkable, I prefer without...but I appreciate those who can make the change. |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Ping pong balls.
They are the right thickness, and they have the right curvature. Cut one to the shape of your nail, superglue it, file it to the right length, and you're all set. I know a great fingerpicker who does just that, and I have heard of others doing it. Acryllic nails are too thick. Ping png balls are perfect. |
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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 486
Location: Suisun City, Ca | I would have never thought of that... |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | I might try the ping pong balls. As an avid table tennis player I have an endless supply of broken ones. I'm guessing the look is not exactly to die for (it's OK for women who can cover it with nail polish, but that's not a feasible option for me).
Someone have a photo of their nail treatments they want to share? |
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Joined:
December 2010
Posts: 56
Location: New Thermopylae | Fingernail Falsies |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Thanks Iff...I mean Molon.
I don't think you have to "let the nail breathe" though. Think about it. Acryllic nails cover the whole nail, right?
And what do they mean, "except the pinky"? I use my pinky on a lot of songs. Besides, that way they will match. |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
I don't think you have to "let the nail breathe" though. Think about it. Acryllic nails cover the whole nail, right?
I've heard lots of people say that acryllic nails ruin your fingernails because they don't let them breathe. The nail ends up softer, meaning you then "have" to keep using the acryllic nails.
I think just covering the end of your nail is safer. |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | I'm like Mark from Boise. About 1/16th inch on my right hand, no white showing on my left (fretting) hand. I do trim down the nail of my right thumb (especially on the outside edge) because it tends to hang up on the bass strings if it gets too long. As far as it goes, though, I mostly use the pads of my fingertips. The nails I use for fingerstrumming and picking individual bass notes with my index finger.
As far as James Taylor goes - JT is a god. He's the reason I'm still playing guitar 40+ years down the road. First time I heard him, I said, "I want to do that. I NEED to do that!" And I have, to the best of my abilities. I love his stuff, and play a lot of it.
But I'm not going to go to all that trouble with my nails! :D |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Originally posted by TAFKAR:
Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
I don't think you have to "let the nail breathe" though. Think about it. Acryllic nails cover the whole nail, right?
I've heard lots of people say that acryllic nails ruin your fingernails because they don't let them breathe. The nail ends up softer, meaning you then "have" to keep using the acryllic nails.
You've got a good point. I stand corrected. :)
I think just covering the end of your nail is safer. |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1673
Location: SoCal | Does anyone know if JT's fiberglass tape is the same as used in nail wrapping?
The stuff he's using in his video lesson looks so industrial-strength to me. Lady Noah showed me online, fiberglass self-adhesive tape for nail wrapping. It comes in 1-yard strips, precut nail shapes, etc.
For about the last 15 years, my thumb nail goes through stages where it splits down the middle. It starts out as a 1/16" crack at the tip. If I don't protect it, not only does the crack get longer, it eventually gets snagged resulting in a mess. Lady Noah has made numerous suggestions, but a closed mind on my part (that's girly stuff), kept me from looking into the options available.
A few layers of brush-on super glue across the tip works somewhat, but eventually it stress-cracks over the original nail-crack. My solution has been a 1/4" strip of paper first-aid-tape embedded in the 1st layer of wet super glue. Lady Noah says it looks like a French Manicure, but once saturated in glue, the paper tape is barely noticeable.
Beal has mentioned the acrylic powder before and I ordered some this time. I'm hoping that the powder increases the durability of the coating. Thanks Beal. |
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Nails 101