Fingerstyle with short nails?

[bruce s]

Has anyone had any luck playing fingerstyle with short fingernails? I tend to shy away from those style lessons because it’s hard and kind of clunky to hit the strings with the meat of the fingers. I can’t grow long nails because of other activities. Just wondering….

[GnLguy]

Hey Bruce

Yes it can be done. Like you said, it will sound a little muted as compared to the use of fingernails but if you play a lot of fingerstyle, you will build callouses on your picking fingers that will cause your notes to ring out better. Takes a little time but the callouses will develop

[Richard G]

Yes Bruce, I always play fingerstyle blues and ragtime pieces with reasonably normal nails. I find if they’re overlong they get in the way and start rattling strings I don’t wish to hear. I do tend to hit the strings with both the tip of the fingers and the nails together which gives me an acceptable result. I tried Jim Dunlop metal picks once, it was like trying to play football in a suit of armour.

Richard

[Dieter]

Hello Bruce,
the discussion fingers or nails is as long as there are Guitar Players. For example in 1820 or so in Paris it took place an indoor-battle between supporters of both lines. My teacher of classical Guitar insisted of nails playing, others said Guitar-play is a “Chord-playing”, that needs a warm tone without nails. I myself play Nylon Strings with nails, but steel strings with metal fingerpicks. A compromise could be affixed artifical plastic nails.

Dieter

[charjo]

Bruce,
I did a little classical learning when I was a teenager and became very used to using my fingernails. My nails are thin and break easily so I get totally frustrated with finger style. Even strumming tends to wear down the nail of my index finger. I may seriously consider some acrylic nails. I’ve noticed that Justin of Justin Guitar uses them.
John

[Luc J]

I played flamenco with relatively short nails. The strings touch with flesh and nail gives the best sound. Flamenco players often reinforce their nails with super glue, but this has the disadvantage that they are strong but break when overloaded. From a classical guitarist I learned that you have to feed your nails and especially the nail bed with oil several times a day. (for example sesame oil)
As a result you get strong and supple nails.

It will take some time but after several months your nails will become stronger and stronger

[sunjamr]

I have 009s on all my acoustic guitars, and playing with short fingernails works just fine. I notice if I play a guitar with heavier gauge strings, it eats into my nails and causes splits and missing chunks.

Sunjamr Steve

[Canada Moose]

I have short nails that never touch the strings; just flesh-on-strings for me, always played that way – even in my early acoustic/folk/classical days. Over the years i’ve tried all kinds of finger picks but in the end i still prefer the direct flesh on strings contact.
Flesh on strings also helps me get a warm thick tone, on acoustic as well as electric (although I’m trying to use a pick on electric now to increase speed).
Many of my faves, Wes Montgomery, Jeff Beck, JJ Cole, were also flesh-on-strings players.
But in the end it’s always personal choice.

[GnLguy]

Have to agree with Richard – using finger picks is like trying to play football in a suit of armour. Never have been able get used to them

I’ve not had any issues with my nails until recently and my right index fingernail has began splitting and right now, a big chunk broken out of it.
I don’t leave my nails very long, just enough to give it some extra volume; having some nail length gives me the option to pick with the nail or pick with more flesh. I use 11’s on my acoustics – I’ve tried 10’s before but I get so much string slap that I can’t use them. As Steve mentioned, the heavier strings does eat away at you nails but nail hardner has worked well for me until the last 3-4 months

So……the acoustic is in its case for now and I’m playing electric until the nails grow out again. Thru some research, I’m trying 2 products that is supposed to help strengthen nails as well as taking Biotin on a daily basis & using a nail growth serum product

The 2 products that I’m trying are:
Hard As Hoof by Onyx – I know, sounds like a bunch of bull DOH!!! Bad joke LOL – the product gets good reviews for strengthening nails
Miracle Nail Strengthener by Sally Hansen
First product provides nutrition for the nails and the 2nd provides a hard coating

If that doesn’t take care of the problem, I will probably try acrylic nails as Charjo mentioned.

[sunjamr]

How to grow your nails faster and stronger: Eat a power shake (smoothie) with a scoop of whey powder (protein) every day. If I do that for a week, it’s shocking how much my nails grow.

Sunjamr Steve

[bruce s]

Thanks for your input on this, I think for now I’ll try the nail-less approach. Maybe with practice I can make it work….

[GnLguy]

sunjamr wrote:

How to grow your nails faster and stronger: Eat a power shake (smoothie) with a scoop of whey powder (protein) every day. If I do that for a week, it’s shocking how much my nails grow.

Good idea, I’ll try the protein powder for sure.

I had forgotten that plain gelatin is made from animal collagen and is an excellent supplement too

[Author]

Posts