|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,129
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,129 |
For years, finger pickers, classical players, and flamenco guitar players, have tried to strengthen their nails so they won't break as a result of playing. These players are very aware of the importance of the nail to their tone. Players have often found that the steel finger tips remove the 'touch' by eliminating the feedback they need to know how hard they are hitting the strings - there are a lot of banjo players that use these steel finger tips. Peter Hutlinger uses only a thumb finger pick, rest are natural fingers. Michael Hedges, one of my all time favorites, wrote that he used pieces of ping pong balls glued to his nails. Flamenco players also have crazy concoctions on their nails. I'm still looking for a solution that doesn't make my hands look too freakish and unattractive. Instead, I just stick with the lame tone from my short nails and flesh instead. Here is what a 'good' ping pong nail looks like, you can imagine what a botched job looks like. https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...3D1%3B900%3B663How have you finger pickers out there dealt with the broken fingernail problem ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
When I was performing regularly with acoustic guitar I used a diamond file to carefully shape and bevel the nails on my right hand, then treated them with thin CA adhesive, also known as Super Glue. You have to be really careful with the stuff--it was originally designed to bond skin as a replacement for sutures--but it was the most effective treatment I ever found. (If you go this route, which I recommend, keep a bottle of solvent around. You get it where you get the glue; hobby shops are the best source.) I was also changing strings daily, more often if I was recording. Fairly extreme, but the resultant sound was worth it, at least to me.
Edited to add: I almost never broke nails at this point. I was fanatically careful of my hands. Even if I did, I had healthy calluses on the fingertips of both hands, so didn't sacrifice much in terms of timbral quality. Finger picks just never worked for me, at all. For one thing, they're
only good on the upstroke. I was likely to strum in either direction. I was aware of a sitar pick which might have worked but was never
motivated to find them. They looked like a ring with a wire that went over the fingertip with an angle at the apex.
R.
Last edited by Ryszard; 02/05/13 04:36 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,800
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,800 |
Learn from the master. Go to JT's Lessons and watch "NAILS 101". http://www.jamestaylor.com/guitarlessons/And then watch all the rest. Time well spent...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 311
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 311 |
I play fingerstyle guitar and prefer using my natural nails. I regularly file them with a glass nail file to keep them smooth and avoid catching them or tearing nails. I also looked at the James Taylor advice video and tried this technique for a while. However it is pretty fiddly and you have to keep redoing your nails regularly as water gets underneath the glued on nail part and makes it look unsightly and then they become less secure and you have to remove them and redo them all again. The technique works well though and if you can stand the amount of time required then fine. In the past I tried various finger picks but they only work for picking in one direction which is far too restricting. However I did discover these picks which actually work very well and a the closest I have found to natural nails. They are Alaska Picks ( www.alaskapik.com) and as long as you have a tiny amount of nail above your fingertip you can use them. You can also cut them down slightly to suit your own needs. They attach very solidly and you can pick and strum in both directions. I keep a few knowing that if I break a nail I can always use these. I still prefer natural nails for feel but these picks are the best alternative I have found. Tony
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Eat. Gelatin.
Find out the foods that contain natural gelatin, such as fish and foul skins, etc. and also plain old "Jello" - and add it to your weekly diet regimen. No need to overdo this one, but not paying attention to it can be the kiss of death for the guitarist's nails.
Check out Tommy Emmanuel and the use of Thumb Pick with fingernails. Also check out how he grabs the thumb pick much like it would be a standard plectrum when circle picking those awesomely fast and accurate single note lines.
For Flamenco, which I understand Joe is studying right now, I'd go with Paco de Lucia method. Nylon strings and fingernails.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987 |
In one of his YT videos (I've forgotten which) Chet Atkins stated that he wore gloves (at least on his right hand) because he had to cancel appearances due to broken nails.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,876
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,876 |
last year I was playing a good bit of clawhammer style banjo and my daughter was regularly gluing one of her fake nails onto my index finger for me. that worked quite well and was easy to replace or repair. not sure how well this would work for fingerpicking guitar cause you would want to do both up and down strokes. I purchased a special pick from Elderly but it never felt right.
on guitar I do basic fingerpicking using the fleshy part of my fingers and thumb. I now have nice calluses built up. not sure I would like a pick because I am sometimes bother by the sound it makes against the strings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Joe, this isn't really an answer to the question you asked, but it is an answer to the question "what kinds of alternative gizmos do you sometimes use for fingerpicking?" This won't complement any of the "classic" fingerpicking techniques, but if you just want something that gives fingerpicking a soft "pluck" and provides a unique sound, try these: http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&keyw...20finger%20tipsThe little nubs snag the strings and create a sound that's more aggressive than the fleshy part of your finger, but less aggressive than a fingernail or pick. Plus, when your fingers are dry, you can use them to turn pages in the book you're reading. Really! places like Office Depot carry them. Note that One size does NOT fit all... I had to buy 3 different sizes to accommodate the diameters of my fingers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,129
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,129 |
Pat - those look a little to similar to those ribbed things ; )
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
another thing I do sometimes is take aluminum tape* and wrap it around my finger tips leaving some extra at whatever part of my finger contacts the string. The tape is .005" thick, the backing is VERY sticky, so you can build it up pretty quickly to whatever thickness works for you. Because it's aluminum, you can trim it with regular scissors (but don't use your wife's quilting scissors. Don't ask how I know this is a bad idea) the advantages of this approach: 1) the tape is widely available at "man" places like Home Depot, and you'll never need to venture into a nail salon to buy it  2) you can put the "pick" part pretty much wherever you want it (as opposed to most commercial finger picks which may not put the sweet spot at the location where you naturally contact the string 3) it goes on quickly and comes off afterwards, you don't need to wear it except when you're playing guitar 4) yet its sticky enough to stay on while you're using it, unlike some commercial fingerpicks which tend to slide off disadvantages: 1) When people notice you're playing guitar with duct tape on your fingers, they'll make fun of you. (Again, don't ask how I know this.) http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en...72880&rt=c3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Quote:
Pat - those look a little to similar to those ribbed things ; )
ohhhh MMaaaaan.. I bought mine from a midget...
surely you don't suppose....
note to self: don't even go there. Just throw them AWAY!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
The fingernails are very important to the sound because of the A in the ADSR.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,876
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,876 |
Quote:
Quote:
Pat - those look a little to similar to those ribbed things ; )
ohhhh MMaaaaan.. I bought mine from a midget...
surely you don't suppose....
note to self: don't even go there. Just throw them AWAY!
Thanks for the "tip"!!! (but seriously, I'm gonna try these.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,129
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,129 |
Quote:
ohhhh MMaaaaan.. I bought mine from a midget...
they look about the right size for a small cat or dog.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Quote:
Quote:
ohhhh MMaaaaan.. I bought mine from a midget...
they look about the right size for a small cat or dog.
I had no idea cats or dogs could play guitar!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 825
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 825 |
Keep the party clean gentlemen or you'll wake the forum vigilantes 
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,114
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,114 |
Quote:
Eat. Gelatin.
Find out the foods that contain natural gelatin, such as fish and foul skins, etc. and also plain old "Jello" - and add it to your weekly diet regimen. No need to overdo this one, but not paying attention to it can be the kiss of death for the guitarist's nails.
The notion that gelatin does anything to strengthen your fingernails is an old wives tale.
If you need an excuse to eat Jello you will need to come up with another one.
If you are going to be finger picking nylon strings, they are much easier on your fingernails than steel strings. All my finger picking is done on steel strings and with the exception of the plastic National thumb pick and metal finger picks that I use for Scruggs style picking on the 5 string, I use Fred Kelly Freedom finger picks and a Fred Kelly Bumblebee flat thumb pick. The Freedom finger pick wraps very tightly around your finger and when properly positioned it is very much like your natural nail. It leaves the flesh of your finger exposed so that you can strike the string with both flesh and finger. The picks come in small, medium, and large sizes and you can also apply heat to customize the fit and then plunge them into cold water to make them retain their new shape. The Delrin freedom picks sound more like natural fingernails and the polys sound a little brighter.
Now I'm going to share a trick with you all that I've never shared with any one before but it was something that I came up with last year after years of trying to find something to keep my finger picks and thumb picks in place. Believe me I have tried every thing without complete success. Earl Scruggs wrote in his instruction book about his method of scratching up the inside of his thumb picks with the blade of a pocket knife so that was one method that I used. I've used the fake finger nails, the ping pong balls, AlasKa picks held in place with a tightened strip of Velcro but I drew the line at applying super glue. I tried gorilla snot (rosin) which was only moderately successful at keeping picks from flying loose while picking. I finally had a Eureka moment when I applied a wad of poster putty to the inside of my freedom picks and pressed the picks firmly down on my fingernails. The poster putty not only held the pick tight to my finger while I was playing but it remained stuck to the inside of the pick when I took it off, meaning that I did not need to reapply it the next time I wanted to use the picks. I found that I could also apply the poster putty to my thumb pick with similar great results.
The first experiment that I did with the poster putty, I used WAY too much. Use too much and it is gushing out onto your strings and the top of your guitar. I use a very tiny ball of poster putty which I apply to the finger pick so that when I press it onto my finger nail that it won't spread out all the way to or past the end of my fingernail. Just press it down very firmly and the pick will stay in place. Experimentation will teach you how much to use without making a mess. I have found it to be a very minuscule amount. When you want to take the picks off, they come off just a little bit hard, but as I mentioned, if you have done it right the putty stays stuck to the inside of the pick and is ready for the next go.
Keith
2026 Audiophile Windows 11 RYZEN THREADRIPPER 3960X 4.5GHZ 128 GB RAM 2 Nvidia RTX 3090s, Vegas,Acid,SoundForge,Izotope Production,Melodyne Studio,SONAR,3 Raven Mtis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610 |
Excellent write-up, Keith.
Cheers,
Mike
PS: I, too, use steel picks for steel strings for the most part.
Cheers, Mike My Music * Asus ROG Strix G15CF 32 GB DDR4 4TB HDD + 1 TB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Win 11 AKAI EIE PRO Sound Interface. BIAB/RB 2024 UltraPak Build - Latest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
great idea Keith! Thanks for sharing your secret!
Another thing that is commonly done to keep the metal banjo-type fingerpicks in place is to put black electrical tape (the cloth kind, not the plastic kind) on the ends of your fingers before putting on the picks. It's somewhat tacky even on the "non-sticky" side, so it does a good job of keeping the picks from sliding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,774
Posts796,025
Members39,957
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean