Keeping nails strong.....

by **ecca** » 30 Mar 2010, 16:02

OK Nick, I'll persevere, I've tried just about everything else.

by **Nick Allan** » 30 Mar 2010, 16:23

In my experience it works - nothing else does. Keep them just long enough to "bite" on the strings to start with and keep them filed. A prize of a set of strings of your choice if it is working well by Christmas !!!

All the best,

Nick.

by **roger bayliss** » 30 Mar 2010, 20:03

Try using thumbpicks and fingerpicks failing that 2 extra cobs per day for the rest of your life should help

by **ecca** » 30 Mar 2010, 23:10

Thumbpicks and fingerpicks make me feel like Edward Scissorhands.....washout.

by **Bluesnote** » 31 Mar 2010, 11:00

I find that they strenthen up all by themselves after a while. One thing I'd say though is, dont grow them too long. You dont need to with an electric anyway. When I was doing classical for a while I kept breaking them on things as you need them long for that picking technique but with the electric, you only have to just catch the string. I find that the thumb just needs to be that bit longer, which is a naturally strong nail anyway.
I practice picking with the thumb once on each string then a double pick on each string then three, then four, then the same with all the other fingers(including the pinky) before I even think about playing anything. And I also pluck the string slightly harder than normal playing.
It really helps me get the feel of the length of my nails on the strings as I keep them as short as possible to keep them strong and loud.
Anyway thats my tuppence worth on the matter and I'm still crap at it anyway but the nails are just fine :lol:

by **roger bayliss** » 31 Mar 2010, 20:49

ecca wrote:Thumbpicks and fingerpicks make me feel like Edward Scissorhands.....washout.

Me too Ecca I always wanted to play with them just like one of my heros Don McClean does but struggle to get on with them. I do find that I only need a small amount of nail to play finger style rather than long nails. The only other option are those glued on nails you can have . I suppose for me I will sooner of later try again with the thumb/finger picks and see if practice and patience can settle me down with them but failing that I can alaways carry on as I am :?: