Fingerpicking with Nails Where There Were No Nails Before

I prefer to pick with my nails, but, sometimes, due to breakage, I can't always do that. When a nail breaks I file the rest down to the same length and let them all come back out at the same time or it throws my fingerpicking off. There is a short period of adjustment from going from fingertips to fingernails and back again. When you're used to using fingertips, then, all of a sudden, you've got nails, you're absolutely right in that your nails are hitting strings they're not meant to hit. That's because you're still picking as if you have no nails. You're going to need to adjust your right hand position ever so slightly to allow only the fingernails to hit the strings. It's really not as hard as it might seem, although, in the beginning, expect some clangers.

If it's any consolation the same thing has happened to me.

Normally the initial contact is made by the fingertip flesh on the string, and the final contact comes from the nail which gives the sharper tone. Your nails don't have to be very long to do this. I don't like the sound of having your nails so long that no flesh ever touches the strings.

My main problem with having nails is that your picking fingers have to be almost perpendicular to the strings to avoid the scraping sound of your nail picking a wound string at an angle. If I disregard the scraping, or just play on a classical guitar, I find that my picking skills are not so far behind what they were in the nail-less days.

I can't grow out my nails and do my job. I use fingerpicks. They take a bit of getting used to, but boy, they'll get a bright and loud sound. You have to learn some different skills for strumming with them as opposed to bare fingers, though.

I've started using Alaska Pic (can I use a manufacture's name?) and have to say that I love them. I work with my hands and can't seem to grow much of a nail before one or more of them chips or breaks. The Alaska Pic sits on the back of the finger and rides just under the fingernail. I'm able to file them to the exact size/shape I want.

Anyway, just wanted to get my $0.02 in.

BTW - I'm not affiliated with the company in any way.

Welcome, Doc! Sure, you can plug something you like.

Finger picks are something folks tend to form strong opinions about. The Laska Piks are the first ones I tried and never could get used to, because it takes more nail to hold them than I like to grow out.

I don't know if it is true but I always heard that some gipsy flamenco players use glue for the nails in order to get them stronger.

Really I don't know if is true and be careful with the tests! :wink:

Nuno

People have used various things to strengthen nails. I know guys who go regularly to the beauty shop to get artificial nails professionally applied.

Yeah, welcome Doc Turner. Do you have a link for those? I've never heard of them before.

I have never been able to stand long nails, I just use my fingertips. They get real tough after awhile.

I remember reading an article on Eric Clapton, he said he paints his nails with Super-Glue to harden them for fingerpicking.

Another shameless plug. :D

I found these awhile ago. Here's their address:
http://www.alaskapik.com/index.php
I usually order them through Elderly Instruments
http://elderly.com/search/elderly?terms=Alaska&x=0&y=0
Hope this help!

I go to the local drugstore and buy gelatin capsules. They harden your nails from the inside out

Ed