Right Hand Finger Nails

[jackthe7th]

I have scoured the internet for the answer to this question, I must have visited 50 websites, watched a ton of youtube videos, forums, and I cant figure it out.

If one of you finds a link to this answer I will be embaraced Its kind of a long question... or a few.

In the most general sense, when playing with the right hand fingers, do you allow the nail to hit the string, or do you just use the "meat" of your finger?

Reason is, my index finger, when plucking, or w/e word you use, will not, no matter how short I cut my nail, stop hitting the string. Ive been playing with my middle and ring finger because I get a much more consistent sound. When playing with index and middle, I get the nail on the index, and no nail on the middle. I like the sound with no nail on the string, it sounds much more consistent, reduces the volume level of the overtones, and is warmer.

Im a beginner now, but Ive played alot of instruments, have 10 years of experience on the sax, and I know, when all the bass videos show guys playing index and middle, if I were to play middle ring, bass players would probably cry out, but I'll ask anyways, if the nail thing is a problem, and my index finger is for some reason... retarded... is middle ring O.K.? Thanks in advance.

[bassteban]

Only another bass player would notice, & they're all neurotic.

[WyrdoBass]

yes we are.

No reason not to use middle-ring.

[crikker]

My fingernails are cut very short only because I'm neurotic. haha I can't stand the sound of my nails clicking on the strings. Screw anyone that tells you to only use this or that. Have fun and play however you have to.

[rarisgod]

I have had the same problem. I can get them short enough so that this doesn't happen, but half the time I'm able to do that, I get serious pain under my finger nail and it hurts to play anyway...I've come to despise my fingernails for it.

Glad I'm not the only one!

[jackthe7th]

I guess the solution is get fatter fingers then haha. Thanks for the help. Middle and ring it shall be for now. Guess its O.K. if i ever go to 3 finger.

[coolrunner989]

I play classical guitar about as much as I play bass, so the fingers on my right hand all have nails to some extent (except my pinky). You can have nails and still not have the nail hit the string, you've just gotta figure it out. Or deal with the sound.

[JKambing]

If you dislike the sound, maybe you have to change the way you attack the string. Instead of plucking towards the sky, change your wrist position and pluck more inwards, towards the bass, so that the strings vibrates perpendicular to the fretboard, not parallel... Hope you can visualise what I'm saying..

[JKambing]

Also, digging in more helps, instead of using the very tip of your finger. Gives a more "solid" sound without the fingernail noise. Hope I was helpful.

[debassr]

Of course I don't know of sure because I havent seen youplay but you could change the angle of your hand to the strings - is it possible you're hitting them at a 90 degree angle?

If you are try something more like 20 degrees and roll the pad of your finger across the string instead of plucking it. If you need to, lighten up on the pressure.

If none of this works, post a video of your right hand techniques and maybe there's something that will stand out to us.

Good luck! I really believe this is likely to be a technique thing as opposed to an anatomy problem.

[dead by dawn]

Originally Posted by coolrunner989

I play classical guitar about as much as I play bass, so the fingers on my right hand all have nails to some extent (except my pinky). You can have nails and still not have the nail hit the string, you've just gotta figure it out. Or deal with the sound.

Could you explain this a little further? I play classical as well and have been on hiatus since I picked up my bass.. I always grind down my fingernails when playing bass.

[vin*tone]

I cut em as short as possible.

[Slax]

Originally Posted by vin*tone

I cut em as short as possible.

I do the same. Whatever sound I may get (not unworkable and definitely becomes nothing in a band situation) is what I use from there. That is, if I'm not on a pick binge....

[The BurgerMeister]

thankfully, i don't have the nail-hitting-the-string problem as long as i keep my nails under control. i hate that sound, too.

lots of bassists do a three-finger thing where they pluck using index-middle-ring... do whatever works, mang!