Playing arpegios "from the nail"

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athrane77

Posts: 785
Joined: Feb. 6 2011
From: Reykjavik

Playing arpegios "from the nail...

I've recently whatched this video from Adam del Monte. He says that he plays arpegios from the nail and not "from the flesh" at about 4:13 min.
What do you think about that?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 24 2016 19:04:35

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: Playing arpegios "from the ... (in reply to athrane77)

Hola jof! Long time no see, hope all is well.
He says a little earlier, "Your obviously going to make SOME contact with the flesh." I think what he means is the flesh part of the finger shouldn't be producing any sound, you can begin with the string touching your finger TIP(not pad) but as the stroke continues it should be all nail. I think that's what he means, and I'd agree with that......

Edit: Just actually looked at my arpeggio at home and I touch a good chunk of my finger tip, not quite pad but my entire finger tip touches the string.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 24 2016 19:45:45

Ricardo

Posts: 14845
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Playing arpegios "from the ... (in reply to athrane77)

quote:

ORIGINAL: jof

I've recently whatched this video from Adam del Monte. He says that he plays arpegios from the nail and not "from the flesh" at about 4:13 min.
What do you think about that?

It's misleading what you imply. The important thing he talks about is at 4:36, the "grip". Of course it is always flesh contact, he is taking about don't catch the string too high up such that your skin bubbles up and forces the string to jump over and miss the sweet grip spot where the skin MEETS the nail, and flicks off the nail late and only on the tip. The good grip spot means skin and nail BOTH touch first before releasing the string to sound. Most players that are good at getting the grip spot will develop callouses at that spot where the nail and skin meet. This can also make meeting the string too high up problematic as the skin will resist the string as it slides. It is for this tricky reason (finding the perfect grip spot when playing fast) that many flamenco players use petroleum on the right hand finger tips. If you accidentally catch the string up too high then the grease forces a fast skid down into the perfect grip spot. It is a nice feeling but the grease will allow dirt to build up and shorten bass string life.

So I agree with what HE demos and talks about, this "grip" thing and nail shape are very important.

Ricardo

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 25 2016 22:56:39

Cervantes

Posts: 503
Joined: Jun. 14 2014
From: Encinitas, CA USA

RE: Playing arpegios "from the ... (in reply to athrane77)

I agree with this, sound is made by the nail.
Flesh is only for locating your finger on the string and should be involved in making sound. Also it will slow you down if rubbing flesh against the string.
Adam's sound speaks for itself.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 26 2016 17:27:33

athrane77

Posts: 785
Joined: Feb. 6 2011
From: Reykjavik

RE: Playing arpegios "from the ... (in reply to athrane77)

Yeah that was what I meant, couldn't really explain it with my poor english.
What do you guys think about that with picado?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 3 2016 15:27:14

Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011

RE: Playing arpegios "from the ... (in reply to athrane77)

I aim for the imaginary line between nail and flesh. I let them decide who takes the biggest chunk at making the sound, they've been togheter for so long that I don't want to interfere.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 3 2016 15:33:51

koenie17

Posts: 438
Joined: Feb. 25 2011
From: España

RE: Playing arpegios "from the ... (in reply to athrane77)

quote:

What do you guys think about that with picado?

For picado I use more flesh than nail because my fingers are more straight with picado than arpegios. But I always aim for flesh and nail! I´ve been filing my i-m-a nails a lot shorter lately, like 1mm maybe a little less on the ramped side. I like it much better. If I dont file for like 2 days they feel really long and They get stuck all the time.I feel like I have more control over dynamics and arpegios and tremolo feel great with short nails.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 3 2016 18:33:32

Ricardo

Posts: 14845
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Playing arpegios "from the ... (in reply to athrane77)

quote:

ORIGINAL: jof

Yeah that was what I meant, couldn't really explain it with my poor english.
What do you guys think about that with picado?

It's the exact same deal for picado and tremolo, for the exact same reasons I mentioned.

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CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 3 2016 20:03:49

Piwin

Posts: 3565
Joined: Feb. 9 2016

RE: Playing arpegios "from the ... (in reply to athrane77)

I'm not sure about the nail being "100% responsible for the sound" as he says, but he's spot-on on the whole grip issue. Actually, after watching this, I paid closer attention to what I was doing. m and i are fine but my a finger is hitting the string higher up than I do with the others. The difference in tone doesn't seem to be all that noticeable but by going straight for the sweet spot, you minimize movement of the finger. Ugh. Time to go practice on that...

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 4 2016 7:26:05