natural nails are best

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tim Fowler on December 6, 2010 at 7:49pm

great discussion. I'm one of the lucky ones who can keep nails, but some of the greats use acrylic(pierre B, Alex DeGrassi, Ed Gerhard...), Chris Proctor uses ALaska pics(or was) and Tommy Emmanuel uses no nails. It comes down to what works for you. When I studied Classical guitar seriously at NorthTexas, there was thought that you should play some without nails so you could learn to make really good contact with the flesh of the fingertip. I;m a big fan of that, then use as much or little nail as you want after that.

Permalink Reply by Anton Emery on December 8, 2010 at 10:15am

I have been playing with natural nails for about 15 years. Though I have contemplated going to fingerpicks or acrylics at times, in the end I stick to what I have, its worked well enough. But my nails seem fairly solid and its easy to shape.

I know other folks that use Alaska PIks, acrylics, metal fingerpicks, or no nails at all. Whatever works for the individual, I say.


Anton Emery
www.celticfingerstyleguitar.com

Permalink Reply by Braulio Correa Pombo on January 4, 2011 at 8:14am

I've always played with my natural nails. They create some problems, but I found ways to solve them. With age, they had become weaker, but now I'm using a lacquer with calcium and they are in a very good condition.

I play nylon guitar too. Do anyone use acrilics playing a nylon guitar?

Permalink Reply by Dave Sterenchock on January 22, 2011 at 7:33am

I prefer my nails. They give me more definition and volume. They also allow me to articulate better. I am blessed with strong, flexible nails. I tried finger picks but they made me feel as if my fingers had grown a half inch. Very uncomfortable. I shape my nails as well, it's a process but well worth it for me. At one time I did try a nail hardener and it made my nails more brittle and more prone to breakage. It's funny when women see me and get jealous of the nails on my right hand. I often tell them, when you break a nail, it's merely cosmetic. When I break a nail, I have to wait for a guitar pick to grow back.

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