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

www.tonycliffmusic.com
http://tonycliff.bandcamp.com