Any other classical guitar players? All about nails...

[lowdowner]

Just wondering if anyone else on here also plays a classical guitar? If so, how do you deal with the 'nails' issue? Classical guitars needs longer nails to get a clear tone, but bass needs no nails to get the right sound. How do you deal with this, or do you favour one over the other?

[Beer of the Bass]

In my teens I used to take classical guitar lessons with an excellent teacher who could be quite exacting, but I also played bass in bands on the side. The nails were a bit of a struggle TBH, and I don't think my approach to bass at the time was very sensible - I just kept the nails and developed a really inefficient fingerstyle on bass using the pads of my fingers. I think this really hampered my bass playing when I first started out. I don't play classical guitar any more, but I do like to finger pick on steel-string acoustic. For this I keep a little bit of nail, filing them so they're rounded at the edges but short enough not to get in the way for bass.

[lettsguitars]

If you're any kind of classical guitarist (something I would love to be good at) I'd keep the nails and ditch the bass if it was a problem.

[mart]

I opted for short nails and, I suppose, a consequently softer classical tone. That worked for me, but then I was never that good at the classical. At the end of the day, you've just got to choose which to compromise on. Or grow an extra right hand!

[lowdowner]

[quote name='lettsguitars' timestamp='1357986067' post='1931292']
If you're any kind of classical guitarist (something I would love to be good at) I'd keep the nails and ditch the bass if it was a problem.
[/quote]

Wow! Don't stay on the fence!

I can play classical guitar well, but getting much better day by day... I'd hate to lose the loverly low-down bass sounds though...

Hmmmmm.....

[lettsguitars]

[quote name='mart' timestamp='1357992105' post='1931453']
I opted for short nails and, I suppose, a consequently softer classical tone. That worked for me, but then I was never that good at the classical. At the end of the day, you've just got to choose which to compromise on. Or grow an extra right hand!
[/quote]False nails?

[philparker]

I play classical guitar as my 'first' instrument and to a comparative advanced level. I started many, many years ago at the age of nine: I first started bass guitar at the age of 15.

My first priority digit-wise is and always has been to look after my nails, but it's not always easy. I do suffer with some problems, including 'hooked' nails and I have spoken to nail specialists as well as many concert players about this problem and I've had to adjust both my style and my nail shape over the last few years. (I've tried acrylic as well, but that didn't work!)

It is harder to keep a 'short' nail extension when your nails curve, but it is imperative to keep them as short as possible, whilst still having a clean nail sound, to avoid the nails splitting or breaking and to carefully file and smooth the nails every two or three days. I try to keep mine at about 3 mm - 4 mm long, which represents 1 mm - 2 mm higher than the highest bit of flesh on the finger tip and that works great for playing any piece.

I have never had any problem whatsoever playing bass with my finger nails getting in the way and I always play finger-style on bass and often fretless. Perhaps my wrist is a little closer to the bass body and the angle of my finger is more on the fleshy side. I'm now also 3 month into the double bass without any detrimental effect playing that and mixing with my classical guitar.

[lowdowner]

Interesting stuff - i suffer from 'hooked' nails too if they get longer than a few mill... the problem is particularly bad on my thumb, but also 'a'. I find that even though my nails are shorter than many guitarists, they still make the bass strings sound more metallic and less 'thumpy'. I might try coated strings to help with this.

It's good to hear that someone else makes it 'work' though - encouraging. Thanks

[philparker]

Ironically - I do have black nylon coated strings on my most commonly played bass (fretless, I don't think they would suit fretted?!).

[jaydentaku]

I have played classical and flamenco for 21 years. I hate long nails and I have never had to rely on them being long to play. They should never been more the 1-2mm higher than the tip of your fingers. That's the advice my instructor gave me and its also the rule that many players go by. Some say longer, but I find it can catch the strings. 1mm length doesn't impede my bass playing and I don't look like a woman or a member of the Adams Family.

[MacDaddy]

started off on classical guitar. Always had emery boards and nail hardner/clear varnish to keep nails in order.

Still played when I started bass so I used a bass pick. All fingers now on bass though, and no more serious classical playing.

Interesting that Segovia was considered a heretic for using his nails to play.

[jimbobothy]

I'm sure I've seen a picture of 'pro nails' vs 'no nails' classical guitarists having an old skool brawl in a book!! It was a bit of an issue back then I guess! When I played I preferred the softer tone from my pads rather than using nails. I guess when you look back at the history of the instrument things go in and out of favour.

Edited January 21, 2013 by jimbobothy

[BigLicks67]

[quote name='jaydentaku' timestamp='1358336056' post='1937093']
I have played classical and flamenco for 21 years. I hate long nails and I have never had to rely on them being long to play. They should never been more the 1-2mm higher than the tip of your fingers. That's the advice my instructor gave me and its also the rule that many players go by. Some say longer, but I find it can catch the strings. 1mm length doesn't impede my bass playing and I don't look like a woman or a member of the Adams Family.
[/quote]
This ties in with Scott Tennant's book 'Pumping Nylon' - he recommends that nails should not be too long, from his examples I'd say 1-2 mm would be ideal.

[MiltyG565]

I've many times accidentally hit a bass string with a fingernail when i had practices and hadn't time to trim them back (i'm a lot better at keeping them short now). If you ask me, it's a very different sound. Not bad, in fact, i think good. You could play bass like that, but it would obviously be slower, and a real bastard on your nails, but if you need them long for classical, just apply the same technique to bass.

Or you could bet those little picks that go on to your fingers/thumbs.

[icastle]

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1360819307' post='1976981']
I've many times accidentally hit a bass string with a fingernail when i had practices and hadn't time to trim them back (i'm a lot better at keeping them short now). If you ask me, it's a very different sound. Not bad, in fact, i think good. You could play bass like that, but it would obviously be slower, and a real bastard on your nails, but if you need them long for classical, just apply the same technique to bass.
[/quote]

Depends on your bass playing style.
I've always played bass with nails, usually about 3 or 4mm.

I can vary the attack\tone by striking\pulling the string using my fingers at different angles to the strings.

I can use my finger pad (think playing a double bass but on the opposite side of the finger)or I can use my finger nail (or indeed a bit of each).

I've found that playing fast isn't a problem, but I do use three fingers on my right hand (with the little finger reserved for pull offs).

It took me a while to perfect, but it was worth it and I couldn't imagine playing any other way now.

[xilddx]

I usually keep my nails fairly short, but the shape is the most important thing, and how you file them. I use a glass file from Boots, about £13. I don't file a ramp, it's not good for tone.

Watch this, the guy is well regarded on the flamenco forum I use.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFpLo2HtE5A[/media]

Edited February 19, 2013 by xilddx