Man you must be tough, no nails aye! I bet you use your teeth Hendrix style.Mmmmm. I shun the entire nails thing. Don't need them. Chas...is that your hand or your wife's? (I'm hoping as a Scottish Kiwi you will see I am ribbing you). Still....very girly hand I must say.
Thumbs up - calling all fingerpickers - show us your picking hand thumb nail
tovo wrote:
His fingers are in the wrong position and that is why he is snagging the string. If he changes his position he will eliminate most of the 'clicking' hes talking about and he will not snag the strings.
Your picking fingers should move across the strings at a 45 degree angle. Thats what allows you to hit strings quickly without snagging. I know Neil teaches that your fingers should be as close to 90 degrees as possible, but I'm talking Classical guitar which is what he is playing.
Your picking fingers should move across the strings at a 45 degree angle. Thats what allows you to hit strings quickly without snagging. I know Neil teaches that your fingers should be as close to 90 degrees as possible, but I'm talking Classical guitar which is what he is playing.
AndyT wrote:
He is a Flamenco player mostly Andy, so the position is quite different to what we as Fingerpickers would class as correct, Sal does play some classical but mostly Flamenco. His guitar is also a Flamenco guitar not a classical, different construction size of neck and body sizeHis fingers are in the wrong position and that is why he is snagging the string. If he changes his position he will eliminate most of the 'clicking' hes talking about and he will not snag the strings.
Your picking fingers should move across the strings at a 45 degree angle. Thats what allows you to hit strings quickly without snagging. I know Neil teaches that your fingers should be as close to 90 degrees as possible, but I'm talking Classical guitar which is what he is playing.
Good idea Michele, interesting to compare
I normally keep my finger nails slightly above the the finger tip. When they are too long, I find that they get in the way. The thumb nail is normally quite longer so that I can pound the bass notes when needed.
Marc
I normally keep my finger nails slightly above the the finger tip. When they are too long, I find that they get in the way. The thumb nail is normally quite longer so that I can pound the bass notes when needed.
Marc

This scan is from a classical guitarists techniques instructional book. It discusses the various fingernail types and his recommended shaping for each type. I use the #3 shape for my type C nails. The concept behind these shapes is the nail travels along a ramp and releases more easily, at the same time using the maximum amount of nail possible producing good tone from the string. The thumb is similarly shaped.
Oops no file, thought I attached one. Anyone have the correct method to upload a scan?
Oops no file, thought I attached one. Anyone have the correct method to upload a scan?
jim56 wrote:
OK I give, lol I uploaded with ease to my photo album if interested.This scan is from a classical guitarists techniques instructional book. It discusses the various fingernail types and his recommended shaping for each type. I use the #3 shape for my type C nails. The concept behind these shapes is the nail travels along a ramp and releases more easily, at the same time using the maximum amount of nail possible producing good tone from the string. The thumb is similarly shaped.