Playing with fingernails

[ironmaidenisgod]

I did a search on Steve Harris recently and found out he plays with fingernails to get his distinctive click-clang sound on one of the posts.

One of the main reasons I shifted from guitar to bass is that I could not play with a pick.I had thus grown the nails on my index and middle fingers on my plucking hand longer than the rest.I used the same technique while playing bass.But then I cut my fingernails short because I couldn't get the true bass sound for accompaniment.I couldn't play stuff like other bassists do.

After seeing the post I wonder if it is possible to do both styles simultaneously.I'm mainly a two fingered plucker.My ring-finger and pinky are not very developed.Dont suggest growing nails on 1 finger
because I'm a 2-1-2-1 plucker.

BTW growing nails helps in getting his sound more distinctly than bashing your fingers on the fretboard as some had suggested.

Assistance will be appreciated.

[B'Aces High]

Steve does not use nails...your info is incorrect...he only uses his 2 fingers by his own admission on Maidens official site.

I have awnsered many Steve questions about his technique and sound in the past in both the Bassists forum and Technique forum a dozen times or so. A search may be in order.

[lemur821]

I used to, when I had my nails long for classical guitar. Then I learned that you don't need much length at all to use them. After that, I was able to sound like a bass, and still use my nails when I need them. I'm not saying Steve Harris uses them, but if you want to, then don't let short nails stop you. Or maybe you could use a couple of sitar picks.

[Edwcdc]

Having long fingernails drives me crazy. Many times during soundcheck I found that I forgot to cut my nails and have gone as far as to file them down on bricks or the sidewalk or whatever I can find. Just as long as I knock them down so they don't make that clanking sound.

[ironmaidenisgod]

Check out the post by E-Rock.

www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121286

That's where I got my info.

Moderators,please don't close this link until my query is answered. .

[ironmaidenisgod]

His second post I mean.

[B'Aces High]

That info i believe is incorrect...and slipped past me in that thread.
As i said..on the Iron Maiden Q&A on Maidens offical site..Steve was asked about his playing style a few times.
Steve said he only used 2 fingers. Nothing about nails.

[ironmaidenisgod]

Thanks B'Aces High.

Live to fly,fly to live,do or die,Aces High!