Long fingernails when hybrid-picking

[Stefan]

How many have long fingernails when they hybridpick? I watched Johnny Hilands DVD yesterday and noticed his looong girly nails. Is it possible to have short nails and just pick with the fleshy part of the fingertip? I used the fingers to snap and pop the strings but I have a hard time getting a fast, flued banjo-roll with the fingers. I refuse to grow long nails though!

[RCinMempho]

I keep the end of my nails even with the tip of the fleshy part of my finger. Hold your finger sideways. The tip top of my nail is at the same height as the crest of the finger flesh. This will leave your nails a little long, but not Freddie Kruger long like Johnny Hiland's. Then again, I can't play like Johnny Hiland either.

I do it this particular way based on some long lost article I read years ago about fingerpicking. This was what they suggested, and it has worked well for me for years for a couple of reasons. The nails are long enough to use on the strings, but they aren't so long that they break often.

The big problem with hybrid stuff is wearing your nails out. If you play more than your nails can stand, then you have to go the fake nail route. I know a lot of pros do that, but I don't play enough hours a week to have a problem.

[FMA]

What RC said.
If my nails get too long, I wind up breaking one and it always seems to then get caught on a string and...well...it ain't fun...

[telex76]

You only need them about 1/16th longer than your other nails, but my nails are so brittle that I can't keep them from breaking. I have no problems just usung the fleshy tip for hybrid picking.

[rand z]

file my nails almost daily on both hands. have broken many, many nails on my right hand from hybrid picking (been doin it for almost 30 years... before they even had a name for it and the only person that i new then that did it was glen campbell).

when i do badly break a nail, well, i used to try all kinds of remedies from glue to fake nails etc. now, i just file it down as best as i can make it long, and pick with the flesh and whatever nail is left. i had to learn how to compensate for the lack of any substantial nail to do this.

but, nails are important and i really try to take care of em. (my coworkers often wonder while im filing away while talking on the phone, at work!)

imho.

rand z tropicalsoul.net

[Tele The Truth]

I tried using my nails for picking before. I kept getting string grooves worn in them. I'd be playing and all the sudden, a string would get stuck in the groove and then pop out.....so it sounded like crap and hurt a little.

Now, I keep all my nails really short and just pick with the finger tips. The hybrid picking, banjo rolls, string pops ect. are really no problem. I actually think it's easier than using your nails...but it's really all in what you practice and are used to.

[charlie chitlin]

Flesh is fine.
It'll get harder after awhile, too.
Roy Bookbinder showed me his right fingertips once...it was like they wer made of flesh and crazy glue.