Finger nails! who needs them.

[singlereed]

When I was learning classical, I got a 'diamond' nail file from Boots, smoothed the edges of the nail with a bit of really fine (2400) wet & dry paper wrapped over the file and then polished them on a piece of leather! This sounds bizarre but all came as part of a nail care kit from a specialist classical guitar shop in Birmingham. As I say, it's over the top for steel strings, but essential for proper classical playing - otherwise, it sounds too scratchy. I think it's also important to say that nails vary a lot from one person to the next - I am lucky in that mine are quite hard and hard wearing. As you say, a combination of finger and nail is ideal for many players - the fleshy part of the finger makes the stroke and then a release off the nail makes for a nice crisp attack.

[Dattan]

The only drawbacks are that my daughter keeps stealing it and the dinky jewels in the handle have drawn some laughs from my mates.

I know the feeling. My girlfriend keeps mocking me every time I break a nail, and is naive enough to complain in front of her. Hm, we guitarists are quite a sissy sort, aren't we...?

[MIKE 450]

I warned you all via Emannuel CUT THEM OFF messing around with nails --when you should be playing guitar--NO NO NO and that reminds me a lot of you Avaonites have no proof of nail non nail playing--where's your profile's--- are you ghosts-- I want to hear my brother Avalonites play-- get some music recorded you lazy lot----if you where in my guitar class you'd be cained and made to write out five hundread lines---I MUST RECORD MY TUNES SO EVERYONE CAN HEAR THEM--

[Loki]

At the risk of being burnt for heresy I would have to say that I am not a big Tommy Emmanuel fan, however, it is nice to see that he has learned from a guitarist of the calibre of Kelly Joe Phelps and done away with nails in favour of fingertips

ps. Is being 'cained' en'able' ing?

[MIKE 450]

I don't have any Tommy CD's I just like to watch him live --and how I'd love to see Kelly Joe Phelps live-- I can say I'm not a big fan of any slap and tap guitarist's I just can't stand any of these guys.After two tunes they all sound the same, infact I veiw this type of playing like I would break dancing crap.

[Loki]

Saw KJP in the Empire in Botanic Ave not long ago. Not a lot of chat - but stunning songs and outstanding playing.

Gutted at having to miss Chris Smithers in the Real Music Club last night -- but watching the Belfast Giants win their second Cup Final in just over a week won out - - - plus a really chronic snivelling sneezing choking chest infection would have added nothing to an acoustic venue

Some of these tremendous gigs barely show up on the radar...

[manonash]

I have a regular nail person who makes acrylic nails for me out of that pink powder & solvent. Tips added first if the undernail ever gets completely torn off. The nails are essentially always perfect for playing.

$10 + $3/tip & I get a month out of them - probably 60-80 hours playing time. If one ever starts to come off I superglue it back down, but that'll only hold for a day or two. Generally only happens near the end of the cycle.

My left hand nails are sawed off completely, of course, so people who want to think that I'm a closet drag queen at least get confused. Truthfully, nobody much cares about my nails, although my daughter does joke about Dad's regular visits to the nail salon.