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I have to shape and file down every 3 days,its critical to tone and attacking the string correctly.My trim warning signs are ..1.speed slows down 2.clanking sound of the string sliding off the skin to the nail.
If you'd like to see some prep work put into nails check out Pierre Bensusan,he actually builds his up with false nails and acrylics,he achieves such a wonderful and unique style through doing it.
I play acoustic so i am compulsive about keeping my nails short. Actually I think it would be tuffer to give up guitar than dressing. I am a big fan of Kiss stick on nails. They go easy on and off. And really the greatest guitarist on electric is Eric Johnson. On acoustic I would say Monte Montgomery. Case closed
Hi Joni and everybody, I play electric guitar mostly. I own an old Sears Acoustic Guitar, a "Ray and Dave Davies" Fender Avalon Acoustic and my 1952 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop. My music has been played several times on an internet radio station. I like Blues,Rockabilly,British Invasion,Garage Rock and Heavy Rock. I use a flat pick for straight lead and my fingers for slide guitar. But I do know that a certain Eric Clapton had long fingernails when he was in The Yardbirds from 1963 when he replaced Anthony Topham up until March 1965 when he left to join John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Girls,order a copy of "Five Live Yardbirds" on Amazon. It's a 1964 set and Clapton is "nailpicking" his guitar. It sounds tremendous.
I play the violin (the devil's instrument!), and I do it seriously. I'm what's called an "accomplished amateur" because I don't have a degree in violin. However, I've been playing for 50 years so I know my way around my instrument! In a couple of weeks when the string quartet of which I've been a member for 20 years steps out on stage and hauls into the a couple of the quartets from the literature, there had better not be any fingernails in the way, whether it's Dvorak or Beethoven, facility is key.
So, the left hand nails are a bit shorter than the right, the right thumb nail is a bit shorter than the left, but they are as long as the instrument will allow.
To make up for it, I take a lot of care in how they are shaped. Interestingly enough, having the nails down to the nubs does not help the playing, as the nails do give some support for the finger pads. It's those issues that have been requiring me, and all violinists (and violists and cellists) to make sure those nails are not an afterthought.
Yet again, being in both genders is a plus!!!
tina
That's precisely why I play wind instruments. It matters not how long/short the nails are.
Aww, sorry to hear about your tough decision, at least you have a new goal to set though :)
How do you tell if there's a guitarist at yer doorQuote:
Originally Posted by Joni Marie Cruz
...they don't know when to come in
people only take up the guitar because they can't play the drums lol
.
Hi pickers and dressers
Can't pick with the long fingernail either but they never get long because I do a lot of outdoor work.They always seem to break sooner than later.
Malmsteen is OK but for pure talent- Tommy Emmanuel is the man. MSGina - the case is never closed- we could compare these guys all day. That might be fun at a pajama party. ( He is all over You Tube.):2c:
<ROTFLMAO> Love it. No wonder I'm alway a half beat behind. Big hug, Deb.Quote:
Originally Posted by Deb The Brunette
Hugs...Joni Mari
Gotta keep the left ones short for guitar, the right nails can be long for fingerpicking. Saw Dolly play with long nails but she was in an open tuning and just barred with her index finger. Oh, and Joe Bonamassa and Johnny A are the kings!
It's not stupid at all! I have the very same problem! First time in months, I just had to cut them a week ago so that I could play guitar again. They are having a talent show at the Southern Comfort Conference this year and I actually thought about staying out of it because I didn't want to have short nails at the SCC. lol
Wow, really, so many responses, so many really cool artists mentioned and feelings about playing music. I am so amazed, you girls just truly rock.
Hugs...Joni Mari
Still, surprised no one has mentioned Leo Kottke.
I have to keep my nails short as I love to play my acoustic, sits an arms length from my chair at all times. It is a good stress reliever for me, and my wife likes to hear me play.
So, I see lots of "nny fave ax nnan is best" posts, bvt only ennotion to back it vp as to wky... So nny case for Eddie stands alone, Eddie is tke king!
As for nny key nnalfvntions....
Backspace is done,
Retvn is going
letters nnising
A B C D E F G _ I _ K L _ N O P Q R S T _ V W X Y Z
I'm with you Kate,Tommy is a fantastic artist to see live.(the fact he's an Aussie has nothing to do with it, honest)Quote:
Originally Posted by Kate17
I keep my nails short for two reasons, one, the guitar, i play a lot of slide so i can get away with longer nails on my left hand but it just doesn't feel balanced having long and short on different hands . and two, long nails really do nasty things to fresh paint jobs (so i found out when i started my current job)
Angelis
I have seen and met Tommy several times and live he is really great. His concert at sheldon Hall in St Louis ( on DVD) is probably the best he has ever done. He did Austrailia Proud.
I just booked tickets to see him in Austin Tx - He will also be in Colorado soon!!
Hey 5150 - did i just enter the twilight zone ? Some new language i am not hip to yet? Just kidding - Eddie is OK.
Chet Atkins grew his right hand nails long and wore clear nail polish to pretect and streghnthen them. He played nylon strings later in his life ,instead of steel strings....such is the life of the 'country gentleman' as he was known. Kate17 mentioned Tommy Emanuel,and he is a disciple of Atkins.
Look at most flamenco style guitar players and you will notice the long nails on their picking hand.
I can't wear long nails buit that's OK....most of the women I know don't growm long nails either despite wearing nail polish in virtually every color.