Popping With Nail

[~M.o.M~]

Has anybody tried it?
It does sound weird as an idea, but I just happened to do it while practising and it does get a dreamy tone that I couldn't achieve the normal way.
Dreamy combined to the soft slapping I like, that is.
So, wanna give it a try? Just follow the usual wrist motion but instead of getting the finger tip under the string, just get the nail.
The only thing that worries me is making easy things hard when using this technique. Oh, and, of course the possibility of doing damage to your nail.

[EDIT]
By the way, I can do it with my nails rather short, so long nails isn't a necessity.

[Fetusyolk]

at one point i started growing out some nails because i liked the tone of it. if you're really into it, go out and buy some nail strengthener and apply it to your fingernails every now and then.

I can't help imagine a nail completely ripping off in the process of this nail popping though. bleghhh

[~M.o.M~]

Well, indeed.
But I can do it with my nails shorter than the tips.

[jordy_on_bass]

It sounds like a way to get a great sound, but damaging the nail bed is a problem that would be in the back of my mind at all times.

I like the idea of long nails, but for fast finger picking when playing heavy metal bass. My problem is that I am a nail biter and they never get long enough to really have much of an effect on my sound.

I could imagine it would sorta be like having a pick sound in your fingers - right?

cheers,
Jordan

[Sam577]

Use fingerpicks?

[JimmyM]

no way i'd use my nails like that! you're going to rip one off eventually, and you haven't lived till you've ripped a nail off. a few years ago i ripped my big toenail off, and it was the first time in my life i ever puked and had diarrhea at the same time! now if you're onstage, your crowd would call that "entertainment," but i'm sure you wouldn't want to be known as the diarrhea/puke guy!

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

no way i'd use my nails like that! you're going to rip one off eventually, and you haven't lived till you've ripped a nail off. a few years ago i ripped my big toenail off, and it was the first time in my life i ever puked and had diarrhea at the same time! now if you're onstage, your crowd would call that "entertainment," but i'm sure you wouldn't want to be known as the diarrhea/puke guy!

this, messing with the nail bed is a method of torture banned by the Geneva Convention.

Even as a civilian, not knowing which end should face the toilet sucks.

[James Judson]

Finger style guitarists often pluck strings using the edge of the nail (and flesh) for a more percussive sound. They often grow their nails (just the index and middle finger) and get manicures including nail strengthers or fake finger nails. Ping pong balls make great fake fingernails. Finger picks may be an answer. If your fingernails work for you, more power to ya.

Me??? My nails are always changing in length so I don't trust them. When my nails get long it drives me crazy with all the noise I don't want to hear so I cut them. I play with fingers but sometimes use a flat pick.

Good luck.

[~M.o.M~]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

no way i'd use my nails like that! you're going to rip one off eventually, and you haven't lived till you've ripped a nail off. a few years ago i ripped my big toenail off, and it was the first time in my life i ever puked and had diarrhea at the same time! now if you're onstage, your crowd would call that "entertainment," but i'm sure you wouldn't want to be known as the diarrhea/puke guy!

Argh!
Well, that's enough reason I guess. Heh, it just seemed cool for a while.
Ah, by the way, I'm just disappointed by my Engrish, since most guys thought I was talking about fingerstyle with a bit of nail.
Fingerstyle is meant to be fingertips only! I was talking for using the nail only when popping slap bass lines.
And long nails weren't needed at all. In fact, I too hate long nails.
I wanted to make a video to show you what I meant, but JimmyM fortunately discouraged me.