Finger vs Nails

What are the Pros / Cons?

Im talking about Acoustic Slappin (ala Mayer / T. Emanuel), Chicken Pickin', Acoustic Lickin' (Standered finger picking, James Taylor ect.).

How many cats out there use their finger tips / not finger nails to pick?

I am more or less talking about the Technique and not so much the tone (I know with nails it's going to be brighter sounding).


I find it alot more difficult to play when my nails are grown out...it's almost like they are "snagging" on the strings and it slows me down. Should I re-adjust this Technique and learn to play with my nails?


However, I do "brush" the strings on the downstrokes with the "Face" of my nails sometimes (I forgot what this Technique is called...).

Any tips?

I use my thumb and first finger to hold a pick, and pick the rest of my fingers(mostly middle and ring).

IMHO, I get the best tone when I keep my nails trimmed to where the meat on my finger takes the brunt of the pluck, but my nails still catches the string a little.

At one time, I tried growing my nails longer, and having them take the brunt of the plucking, but I kept breaking them and hurting myself. Plus long nails is a burden wearing gloves and other stuff we can and can't talk about on TDPRI.

When I try picking without my nails, the ends of my fingers get soar.

I pick with my fingertips, but I can sure tell the difference if my nails aren't the right length and shape, even though they don't touch the strings. It's a difference in feel, though, not sound.

Thumb has to be with the nail. The rest of my fingers are trimmed to where its the flesh with a bit of nail. I used to use thumbpicks, but have gone away from them (not because I didn't like them, but 'cause I always lose them.)

Even with classical guitar, it's a balance between fingers and nails.

Even with classical guitar, it's a balance between fingers and nails.

I always thought with a classical it was more or less 100% nails...

Back in the early 80s GP had a cover story on Segovia. In it there was an illustration of his description of how long the nails should be. It showed the nails trimmed flush with the end of the fingertip.

Right.

It's a big misconception that classical plyers play with their nails...the fingertip still strikes the string first--the nail provides a backup, really.

I always thought with a classical it was more or less 100% nails...

Not exactly. The nails are just the release, everything else is the fingertip. All the different aspects of control come from the touch. :wink:

I use fingers. It sounds better when I'm playing a lot and have nice calluses built up.

Not exactly. The nails are just the release, everything else is the fingertip. All the different aspects of control come from the touch. :wink:

What do you mean by "release"?

Some of these classical guitar players have Extremely Long nails, I can't imagine me hitting the string with anything but my nails (if mine were that long.). That were be hard to do.

Any electric players with really long nails?

Any electric players with really long nails?[/QUOTE]

try some Roy Buchanan videos.....long nails

...ive been playing classical guitar for 10 years, hold a university degree in it and am associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada. I have to say that article on Segovia is rather..well old. Most modern classical players use longer nails, as it allows for a clearer tone and generally a more solid connection with the string. I also play in an acoustic folk/blues rock band (Ive done solo JT covers to buy time during sets) and can tell you that nails and steel strings are a definitely a no no. Even Tuck Andress says so!

...ive been playing classical guitar for 10 years, hold a university degree in it and am associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada. I have to say that article on Segovia is rather..well old. Most modern classical players use longer nails, as it allows for a clearer tone and generally a more solid connection with the string. This



I also play in an acoustic folk/blues rock band (Ive done solo JT covers to buy time during sets) and can tell you that nails and steel strings are a definitely a no no. Even Tuck Andress says so!

Can you expound? Do you mean, Long nails and acoustic is a no no?

Most guys, dont use 100% of their nails or 100% of their finger tips on acoustic...they mostly use BOTH their nails and fingers. This calls for the nails not to be That Long.

I strum with my index fingernail and V-Pick striking the string at the same time. It gives it kind of a resonance that you don't get just from strumming with a the pick

There is a great article somewhere out there with Leo Kottke talking about switching from finger picks to using his flesh and nail.

I keep my nails pretty close to the skin but with a slight overlap on my picking hand. I keep them VERY short on my fretting hand to avoid digging into the fretboard (much to my wifes dismay. She always asks for a back scratch from "Your Good Hand" :lol:).

I can always tell when it is time to take an emory board to the nails as I can feel the tip just catch a bit more than I like and it is harder to use just the flesh when you need to. There is a fine balance out there for the length of the nail to be perfect for me.

I studied classical guitar and still play a lot of fingerstyle, both on acoustic and electric. Nails should be kept short, almost un-noticeable, barely passing the end of the finger. If you keep them like this, they will never catch on the strings. As mentioned earlier, the sound comes from a combination of finger and nail, with the nail adding just a bit more clarity to the attack. It's not even close to 100% nail on the attack.