RR fingernails...

[hansolo]

Since there is a huge demand for anything Randy, here is a topic I haven't seen covered. I admit, I may be different but in my own way, are there any guitar players growing their picking hand nails like Randy? I have done it a few times over the years. Note; I am a guitar player and extending my thumbnail makes me find a medium ground - not too hard (my downfall, I played very cheap guitars when I was a lad and over compensated with my picking hand) or not too soft. My index and middle finger seem to get worn down or fractured nails (oh my!) but the higher strings get a real snappy sound. Any comments? I really do want to hear any comments, get involved yo!

[hansolo]

Also any picking exercises are welcomed. We can all learn something new!

[Jazznroll]

I think you need to trim em abit, look abit painful and weird.

[GUITARIDOL5682]

Yeah thats the first signs of turning into a werewolf long nails, hairy hands elongated jaw and an all over wooly jacket.... HOOOOOOWWWLLLL

[TheMrAxeman]

ive done it, but not to that extent

[Shockwave]

I've been playing for 22yrs and my picking has always been a weak point for me. I have done all the exercises out imaginable. The best thing so far has been the "insanity pick" from v-picks . It's an almost 12mm pIck! . It teaches you to relax your hand ands once your using such a huge pick. It has done wonders for me so far!


They are pricey though, $35 for one pick, but it was worth every cent IMO

[hansolo]

Oh yeah, I get some weird looks. To bad I didn't look like Randy, but I'm sure he got some looks with his nails (Thumb and pinky) being very long! I will keep them/trim until one breaks, who knows. I had a stylus pick 20 yrs ago but wasn't too good at it. I bought a couple Charvel's w/maple fretboards and those have the large frets. Those helped me lighten my picking and fretting. Also, when alternate picking, a weak spot is when you change strings. I have been working on that too. I think that when I use a pick the longer thumbnail forces you to keep your hand parallel to the strings or you will catch it in the stings!

[hansolo]

Ooooow! No, they don't hurt unless they break on something or they chip and like to snag clothing. Weird, yes I give you that. I don't think anyone one can deny long fingernails on a dude isn't weird.

[Bongo Christ]

Highly disturbing. Why not go the whole hog and post photos of your toenails?

[TheMrAxeman]

Highly disturbing. Why not go the whole hog and post photos of your toenails?

its not disturbing people do it all the time for classical guitar and because toenails are not related to guitar.

[rice_pudding]

For several years now (five/six??) I've had long nails on my right hand. Basically just for classical guitar. When i first grew them I had them long. (There was a nasty incident once where i smashed them all accidentally against a wall )

These days I have them short, short enough that most people wouldn't notice. As time has gone on learning to play classical I've learnt that short nails allow for easy control of tone. Plus they are faster, especially if you file* them at the right angle, your hands just glide over the strings! I always know when I need to file them because I start to expend too much effort playing Maleguena and similar fast pieces.

*Yes, I have some skill with a girly man nail file

Rob

[Bongo Christ]

Growing fingernails to play classical guitar is one thing, to pose in photographs of them in close up is something quite different, no?

I prefer the tone of nylon strings with fingertips anyway.

[hansolo]

Christ, I'm just starting a conversation. I could of posed with a guitar but my photographer had the night off. However, thanks for throwing in a vote for short nails. That is the sort of thing I was looking for the debate.

Rice pudding - any advice on filing (any pics)? I am STILL working on my picking (with pick) technique. I know people say do what comes natural but I never took a lesson to my regret and I'm still learning and trying to unlearn the bad habits.

[Tito]

solo file them down to where you cant see them when you hold your hand straight in front of your face..make sure you follow the shape of your fingertips when doing so...also to the right of the nail it should have an angle hard to explain but matt help me out chico!!!!!!btw back in the old days the classical guitar composers would actually throw down over the nail or fingertip technique!!!!!!!

[hansolo]

solo file them down to where you cant see them when you hold your hand straight in front of your face..make sure you follow the shape of your fingertips when doing so...also to the right of the nail it should have an angle hard to explain but matt help me out chico!!!!!!btw back in the old days the classical guitar composers would actually throw down over the nail or fingertip technique!!!!!!!

Palm up or down? I am assuming down but don't want to assume. Throw down over the nail. I'm not catching your drift. Thanks for taking the time. And to Bongo Christ, I have some toenail pictures just for you if that is what you were hinting at, email me.