finger nails, fingerstyle

[Nev375]

I play using my nails and/or a thumbpick. When I have about 1/8" of white I trim that back to about 1/16 with a rounded end.

Not sure what is meant by getting "hung up" on a string. The nail is pretty much the only part that touches the string. I use both index and middle alternating and can pick in both directions if need be to double the speed. My right hand position is very similar to a banjo player's style. I use a light touch, so wearing down of the nails is minimal.

 

[Lownote38]

I keep my nails on both hands quite short. I find it much easier to control the attack and tone of each note I play that way.

 

[sxwr]

ive always liked the tone i got from having a bit of nail. But now that i play classical guitar also the fingernails have to be there all the time

 

[B3n]

When I started out, I kept my nails pretty short because I hated the feeling of the string pulling on my nail. However, I recently started playing classical guitar, so now I've grown them out a substantial amount. I've found that after a while, your nails get harder and thicker, making it more comfortable play with nails. Also, filing them into the right shape and keeping them buffed makes the strings slip right off.

 

[catcauphonic]

Short and fleshy for me. I'll grab a pick if I want a more picked sound.

 

[AMOlson]

The first guitar I ever played was classical ... and I play my bass the same way. Gotta love not having a teacher some days.

 

[Hahaha]

My claws are part of my sound, so I'm constantly sharpening them against tree trunks and living room furniture.

Real answer: No nails. I keep them short.

 

[ATLbassist]

I like to have a punchy attack and am much more comfortable playing fingerstyle (usually on half-round strings). So, short, rounded nails for me (though I use a pick on songs that demand even more attack or the palm mute/pick sound). My usual method is to let my plucking fingernails grow over the week before a show. Of course, the fretting hand is always clipped short.