Do I absolutely HAVE to have long nails for classical guitar?
I am a very serious guitar player, I play classical and flamenco. The thing is I also am very passionate about parkour and I can’t keep my long nails while scaling walls and vaulting fences, they will get ruined. Besides, I’m a tomboy. Long nails gross me out. Is there any other way around this problem?
I think as much as you can, you should keep your nails filed smoothly so they don’t catch on the strings. However, I don’t think you need to keep them dragonlady long.
I keep the nails on my left hand fairly short because it helps with the fingering, but the nails on the right hand a bit longer. I unfortunately work at a job where my nails break off–so I can’t really grow them that long anyway. I try to keep them polished to so they don’t split, but if you aren’t a girly girl–you can use clear polish or a nail strengthener.
Of course, I’m hardly a serious guitarist (I do play classical and not that well), and I think flamenco guitarists use their nails a bit more because of the stylistic concerns (playing style not fashion style)
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On the other hand,, Christopher Parkening–world reknown classical guitarist–files HIS nails to a mere 1/16" to 1/8" edge beyond the flesh of the fingertips. In his books, "The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2)–he details some very precise instructions on how to keep your nails files in the correct shape and condition for playing, but the optimum nail length he prefers is not beyond that one-eighth of an inch.
You can keep an emery board or nail file handy just before you play the guitar to get rid of any ragged edges.
He also mentioned fake fingernails called "players’ nails" made just for guitarists (especially if your nails have broken off beyond the quick). I never heard of them before–but there you are. I googled them and found this website.
http://guitarplayernails.com/index.html
There are actually several websites that offer advice about nail length for guitarists. I think you might have to experiment until you find the best solution for your playing without having to give up
your parkour. (I know what a tomboy is, but I had to look up "parkour")
I’ll list a few below.
http://www.guitarsite.com/nails.htm
http://www.learnclassicalguitar.com/Great_Guitar_Tips-great-guitar-tips-003.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_8789164_trim-fingernails-playing-flamenco-guitar.html
Plus a video:
http://www.ehow.com/video_2374069_fingernail-shaping-classical-guitar.html
(There should be some on Youtube too)
Most guitarists don’t seem to have talons–I’m sure there are exceptions.
No you can either use ur nails that are arn’t that Long or small or u can use ur fingers and build up caluses on them and play that way or take a chance and use a pick its all up to u
References :
I had this same problem before. except it was because I was too lazy to trim them.. I also need long nails for guitar class. They don’t have to be long.. They can just be medium sized. Just trim them every week, but don’t trim them too short.
Btw.. I kind of like classical music and flamenco more than rock. Try playing Asutrias by Isaac Albinez, it’s a really great flamenco song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEfFbuT3I6A
Also.. What does Tomboy mean?
References :
I think as much as you can, you should keep your nails filed smoothly so they don’t catch on the strings. However, I don’t think you need to keep them dragonlady long.
I keep the nails on my left hand fairly short because it helps with the fingering, but the nails on the right hand a bit longer. I unfortunately work at a job where my nails break off–so I can’t really grow them that long anyway. I try to keep them polished to so they don’t split, but if you aren’t a girly girl–you can use clear polish or a nail strengthener.
Of course, I’m hardly a serious guitarist (I do play classical and not that well), and I think flamenco guitarists use their nails a bit more because of the stylistic concerns (playing style not fashion style)
—
On the other hand,, Christopher Parkening–world reknown classical guitarist–files HIS nails to a mere 1/16" to 1/8" edge beyond the flesh of the fingertips. In his books, "The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2)–he details some very precise instructions on how to keep your nails files in the correct shape and condition for playing, but the optimum nail length he prefers is not beyond that one-eighth of an inch.
You can keep an emery board or nail file handy just before you play the guitar to get rid of any ragged edges.
He also mentioned fake fingernails called "players’ nails" made just for guitarists (especially if your nails have broken off beyond the quick). I never heard of them before–but there you are. I googled them and found this website.
http://guitarplayernails.com/index.html
There are actually several websites that offer advice about nail length for guitarists. I think you might have to experiment until you find the best solution for your playing without having to give up
your parkour. (I know what a tomboy is, but I had to look up "parkour")
I’ll list a few below.
http://www.guitarsite.com/nails.htm
http://www.learnclassicalguitar.com/Great_Guitar_Tips-great-guitar-tips-003.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_8789164_trim-fingernails-playing-flamenco-guitar.html
Plus a video:
http://www.ehow.com/video_2374069_fingernail-shaping-classical-guitar.html
(There should be some on Youtube too)
Most guitarists don’t seem to have talons–I’m sure there are exceptions.
References :
The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Vol. 1: The Art and Technique of the Classical Guitar.
Hal Leonard Corp, 1972, rev. ed 1999., page 48-49.
The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Vol. 2: The Art and Techniques of the Classical Guitar",
Hal Leonard Corp., 1997.
You can use a pick.
References :
Another possible option is finger picks, much like some banjo players and those who play the pedal steel guitar use. In short there are a number of options you can explore that the others mentioned.
References :
Hi Tomboy,
Using your right hand fingernails when playing a nylon string classical or flamenco guitar is absolutely essential. Without them the tonal qualities of your guitar will remain dormant for the most part. But, they don’t have to be long. Using the "finishing side" of a metal file, you should file each nail as a whole and be sure to round off the left side of each nail so that they don’t hook or snag the strings when you are playing. You need just enough nail to strike the string – nothing more. If you hold your right hand fingers in front of your face you should just barely see a little bit of nail showing over the top of each finger.
You should play on the left side of your fingertips, striking the string where the flesh and the nail meet. That exact spot is where you will get your best tone because it is a combination of flesh which produces a warmer, fuller sound and nail which produces a brighter sound with more volume and projection. Another tip for getting a more beautiful tone is to use grade 1,000 or higher sandpaper to polish your nails with after you file them with your metal file. The sandpaper removes any slivers or nicks that are often too small to see. Hope this helps!
Regards,
Steven Herron
Peabody Conservatory Trained Guitarist
References :
http://www.chordmelodyguitarmusic.com/19-Technique-Tips-For-Guitar.htm