? for finger style players

[whiskey02]

Hey all,

Do those of you that use fingers instead of a pick on flatwound steel strings use nails at all or just the flesh of your fingers?

[bkdavidson]

I personally hate the feel and tone of nails on flatwounds.

[mr. beaumont]

I live with a tiny bit of nail...I prefer just skin on steel string, but I need a bit of nail for nylon string playing. I've learned to comprimise, soften my attack, and I can still get the sound I want.

[JohnRoss]

Steel strings can have devastating effects on long nails, especially in the heat of performance when you're putting more energy in than practising. If you want to use nails, you'd be well advised to investigate methods of reinforcement and repair - superglued tissue paper is a favourite for both, 'cos it's quick, cheap and effective, but if you do it wrong... Better to compromise, as Mr B says, and use shorter nails (which is fashionable among CGists nowadays, anyway).

[ksjazzguitar]

I don't use flatwounds, but I am a jazz player that also plays classical. Of course, if I use the nails on the steel stings, they will get chewed up pretty fast (most jazz players probably don't realize how anal CG players have to be about the shape and smoothness of our nails.) I find that if I don't let my nails get too long, and if I unarch my wrist, I can do jazz where the nails almost never hit the strings.

Before I did CG I used to use nails. Sometimes I had to put some nail hardener on them.

Peace,
Kevin

[mr. beaumont]

I use a "strengthening polish" that I steal from my wife...gives them a nice coating, and I don't have problems with splitting, but, as you say, my attack is different on a steel string guitar to where my nails really aren't making much contact...

[wizard3739]

I have a hard time keeping my nails from splitting and breaking (probably due to my age) and have tried many different things to cure the problem. Recently, a fingerpicking friend told me about "LCD", a clear, liquid crystal developer/nail fortifier with nail protein in it. I have only been using it for a short time but it really does a good job of keeping my nails from splitting and breaking.

wiz

[cmajor9]

I keep my nails fairly short. I do use the edge of nail and flesh with my fingers. With my thumb I tend to not actually touch the string with the nail, but rather with the flesh close to the nail to keep more definition in the note.

[Markyboy]

I use the flesh and keep my fingernails as short as possible.

[markf]

lenny (don't know if he used flatwounds) had nails like claws. no idea how he kept them up.

[oneworld]

Originally Posted by markf

lenny (don't know if he used flatwounds) had nails like claws. no idea how he kept them up.

thumbpick & artificial nails if i remember correctly...

[jjvai711]

He moved between nylon and steel, but i think he used pretty light strings and a light touch.

[markf]

definitely used a thumbpick

funny, how many players are there that you just mention their first name, and everyone knows who you mean.

Lenny,

everyone know who that is.

[markf]

Originally Posted by oneworld

thumbpick & artificial nails if i remember correctly...

holy crap!


folks, do yourself a favour and go to oneworld's youtube channel, listen/watch the youtube clip with Charley Mariano.


wow.

very nice playing. some serious swing going on there.

[oneworld]

Originally Posted by markf

funny, how many players are there that you just mention their first name, and everyone knows who you mean.

Lenny,

everyone know who that is.

well... guitarplayers maybe...

how about lennys such as in pickett, bruce, kravitz, leonard... amo ?

[oneworld]

Originally Posted by markf

...listen/watch the youtube clip with Charley Mariano.

wow.

very nice playing. some serious swing going on there.

thanks, markf

charlie used to tell me:

'why do you young guys wanna play this old music ?!?'

think i gonna put together a 'jazzguitar trio' once i hit retirement...

[markf]

charlie used to tell me:

'why do you young guys wanna play this old music ?!?'

Charlie Mariano. Man.

when I was young before he left north america, he was one of my favourite musicians, he played "I feel Pretty" I think with the Don Ellis orchestra, it just soared, when he played.

what a wonderful thing to play with him.

anyway,you're very welcome. do you mind if it Post your link over at the showcase section?

I think the people here might appreciate it.

[oneworld]

Originally Posted by markf

I think the people here might appreciate it.

not so sure about that.... hahaaa....

anyone interested can get to it easily via my sig links...

re:charlie... i first started playing with him in 1983 up to his death in 2009...

he blew my mind when i heard the 1953 recording of him playing 'stella' with the kenton band... that's why i kept bugging him to play it whenever i had the chance !

[VersatileJazzGuitarist]

I have for years used fairly heavy flatwounds (.12 - 26). I play with a bit of nail. Every 3-4 weeks I go to a nail salon where they coat my thumb, first, second, and third fingers with a powder and liquid that hardens into a tough plastic. Since starting this I have yet to break a nail, though occasionally the plastic has split and I had to make a quick run to the nail place.

Recently had a lesson with Paul Meyers, a great player from NY. He does the same salon routine.

[VersatileJazzGuitarist]

(.012 - .56)

[Jabberwocky]

Hair-strengthening shampoo or conditioner helps. Hair and nails are made out of the same stuff: keratin. My nails are stronger after a hair-wash.

[passfan]

I have come across a product in Boots the Chemist in the UK.It's called "the nail doctor" "build me up nail hardener".It's apparently a New York company.so should be available in the U.S.It works for me.Might be worth a try.

[markf]

Originally Posted by oneworld

not so sure about that.... hahaaa....

anyone interested can get to it easily via my sig links...

Yes, I get it.

I just looked at/listened to "Brown street", on youtube.

If you ever have the time, what was that like? I mean meeting Joe?

thanks a lot.