Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.
This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.
We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.
I recently stopped using acrylic over my real nails and wow. I can't do an a golpe as hard but all other techniques seem to work a lot better. I like the sound better as well. So I'm a believer now that real nails are the way to go. I think the flexability of the real nails works ten times better.
And shorter the better.
Thought I would share that, been using acrylics for a few years, and now I know that it is a bad way to go in my opinion.
_____________________________
May we find God through Flamenco instead of Angels and Demons
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to edgar884)
that's true todd, everyone should try to make up his own balance wether to have long or short nails or to use acryl or glue or whatever. This is because the movement is different for all people like with picado for example, how big is your hand, how long are your fingers, etc.
I believe that if you make up for yourself what is best and you get the sound that is the most important thing allthough I like it when people share their opinions, sometimes you can learn from other experiences like this. i always play without glue or acryl or anything but I'm blessed with really strong nails.....:))
Posts: 181
Joined: Mar. 17 2005
From: Seattle, Washington, USA
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to edgar884)
Having good nails is a big part of playing flamenco guitar. Man, if you're blessed with naturally round thick strong nails you're the lucky guy for sure. Others may have nails which are thin, hooked, flat, brittle, weak, etc. then you have to come up with some methods to make up your not-so-good nails. Mine are not so good. I've experiment millions different ways to improve my playing.
What kind of superglue do you use and how do you apply it? Years ago I followed advice in Juan Martin's book and used Pegamento Imedio for a short while. It was really a pain. I don't put anything on now and occasionally use Hard As Nails. It works out just fine. I don't have strong nails and I keep them relatively short, apart for the thumb, for tremolo and probably more effective picado.
Posts: 15242
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to DavidT)
quote:
Man, if you're blessed with naturally round thick strong nails you're the lucky guy for sure. Others may have nails which are thin, hooked, flat, brittle, weak, etc. then you have to come up with some methods to make up your not-so-good nails. Mine are not so good. I've experiment millions different ways to improve my playing.
If you check out the Pumping Nylon Vid, he deals with the different types of nail shapes that people have growing, and a good way to file them. it solves the problem of hooks and what not. I personally find putting glue on the entire nail changes it's shape, making it more curved on the edges, more ideal for playing. But you have to experiment with filing, there is no one and only "blessed" nail shape.
About acrylics. I think depending on the situation you should start with the easiest thing first, and if is not working for you, start to build it up. First natural. If you learning and practicing rasgueados a lot, your natural nail won't last. If you are past that stage, you might get away with it for just solo playing. If you get into accompanying for baile and have to play hard rasgueados, you will probably need to try some protection.
First nail polish. If it rubs off try Hard as nails. If any of those products rub off (they do for me) then try some sort of nail glue or krazy glue, anything with Cyanoacrilate. That is what I use. It lasts for a week under normal playing. Hard playing, I can make it through the gig or concert if it is all new glue. Couple of coats if I can. I think rumba should be played real strong, the rhythm guitar. If I do that for 3 hrs all night, only rhythm guitar, most of the glue will rub off. Most of the rumberos I know use acrylics, there is no other way, especially if you work a lot. A lot of dance accompanyists too. I have broken or chipped nails because of extensive rehearsals (hours and hours), and not enough time to touch up my nails before the show or in between numbers rehearsed. Luckily I only find myself in that situation occasionally.
Fake nails, meaning glue on plastic, I don't really recommend because they often come off and take chunks of your nail with it. Better to go with acrylics if the glue is not working for you.
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to edgar884)
Fingernails are a reflection of what you eat, if you have poor weak fingernails, that should be telling you something about your diet. If you don't believe me, spend a little time on google searching fingernails and nutrition.
Well so is everything about your body. But eating gellatin and milk for the rest of your life, won't save your nails from very hard constant rasgueados. The strings act as a "file" on the top of your nails. I use glue so I file down glue rather than my natural nails. I only need more glue if I find myself doing more rasgueados.
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to edgar884)
I only protect the a finger with 3 lines of tissue. i and m only with some glue coz if the nails are to fat, i sounds like plastic when playing picado. The thumb is protected with 2 lines of tissue. But I dont protect the whole nail with tissue. Only the front 5 mm. Fake nails arent good for control and sound. If you can handle the fat nails, you stay there with plasticsound. The best is without protection. ("nail"-protecion)
Posts: 1156
Joined: Dec. 6 2006
From: Hamilton, ON
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to edgar884)
I'm using Sally Hanson Diamond Strength hardener with a Mega Shine topcoat, or something like that, my teacher told me to try it. Are these acryllics or something else? Are they a good way to go? (i've only been using them for a short time)
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to edgar884)
I keep my nails pretty short also; the thumb longer. I used to use 2-3 coats Sally Hanson's Diamond Strength over the entire nail but found that it would start to peel or chip right at the tip too easily. I then tried brush on nail glue over the entire nail, but I found that if the nail flexed (golpes, working w/ hands etc.) I would get these "cracks" in the glue. Now I'm putting a couple coats of nail glue just on the white part of the nail, stopping short of the pink part. Then applying a couple coats of Sally Hanson's Diamond Strength on the pink part overlaping the white just a little. No more peeling or chips at the tip and no more cracks when flexing... so far so good!
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to Ricardo)
Ricardo, I don't really agree with you about that. But on the other hand, I have have good nails. I work in the shop all the time doing metal work, and play guitar a couple hours every day. I have no problems at all with my nails. My wife is cooks a lot of Rice, I'm about convinced that has a lot to do with it.
Ricardo, I don't really agree with you about that. But on the other hand, I have have good nails. I work in the shop all the time doing metal work, and play guitar a couple hours every day. I have no problems at all with my nails. My wife is cooks a lot of Rice, I'm about convinced that has a lot to do with it.
That is great if it works for you. In my experience different people play in different ways. I have some friends that only put glue on the tip like Mark above, and others that put glue on that does not wear down from rasgueados. Others I know have natural nails. IMO there is a difference in the sound, the strength of the rasgueados. You can tell when someone plays hard or not. Guys that play the hardest end up needing acrylic. But you can't say they should not play that hard. It is all about necessity. If I could just play only in my kitchen always, or even just solo guitar concerts, I could get away with natural nails. But being an accompanist is like a big rasguado practice fest. It is more rehearsals that do it than the actual shows. Anyone that does rasgueados like I do, if using natural nails, is wearing them down even if you can't see it. Perhaps if you have a chance to lighten up or play easier during the week, you have time to grow new nail. There are others that dont' have that time. Like I said, if you try natural nails and it works, great!!!
quote:
but I found that if the nail flexed (golpes, working w/ hands etc.) I would get these "cracks" in the glue.
Well, your nail should not be "flexing" at all. YOu need to use some skin along with the nail for golpes, and don't jam your fingers into things. Perhaps also the nails are bit long if you have enough of them exposed to "bend". I have friends that do the same as you. My nails wear straight down the middle from cuticle to tip, so that would not work for me. And if your nails flex, and you have heavy glue on the white tip only, I can imagine they would be in more danger of breaking right at the pink part. Anyway, if it works for you, keep at it.
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to edgar884)
Hi Ricardo,
I hear ya. I know I need to use a combo of flesh and nail for the golpes. And I keep my nails short. You can barely see them above the flesh. But being a noob still, sometimes the angle is off and I'll hit just the nail. Or worse the back of the nail and slide under the strings! Also, I'm missing my "a" finger and the tip of my pinkie from an accident years ago. I have to use my "m" finger for golpes. And when I do, I better make sure it's the correct angle or yea I can crack my glue. I also work with my hands at my job. And even though I wear gloves, sometimes (even though I try not to) I jam into things... I think the glue is more prone to crack when the glue has been on there for a week or so too.
The Sally Hanson stuff peels and chips too easily. But like I said, so far it's working with the glue/hardner combo. The glue on the tip really isn't that thick. But if I end up breaking my nail right at the pink part I'll let you know, hehe Do your friends have problems with break-age? I really don't want to get acrylics...
Maybe as I get better, things will change. Especially if I ever get into accompaniment.
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to edgar884)
I'm amazed nobody has mentioned hoof cream. I used to get it from a local feed store that catered to horse owners. They put it on their horse's hooves to strengthen them and at some point someone noticed that the people that used the cream on their horses also developed strong nails. So now cosmetics companies have gotten into the act and started marketing something called "Mane 'n Tail Hoofmaker" They call it "The ORIGINAL" Hoofmaker, but I doubt that, since this new stuff is perfumed with mango scent or something, which I'm sure really turns on the horses. The old stuff smelled a little musty. But the new stuff seems to work just as well. The company is "Straight arrow" and the phone number on the bottle is 800 827-9815. If you don't have a feed store, they can probably tell you the nearest source. I live in the south where the Publix store chain is, and I get it there. One bottle lasts years if you put it just on your nails instead of using it as a hand cream. It takes a couple of weeks to start to have an effect (it acts directly on the nails -- you don't need to wait for them to grow out) but it works. My nails aren't as strong as they used to be when I used "Hard as Nails" but they are much stronger and certainly strong enough for me to play 4 hours a day. Plus they look natural. I put it on several times a day (keep some at work) at times when I know I won't be playing for a while. After putting it on, my nails feel a little soft (for about 1/2 hour) as though I had just taken a shower, and I am reluctant to risk playing, but after that passes, you can play normally. I just rub it into the nails and leave a bit under the nails to sort of marinate. In fact, I think I saw an ad for it in Guitar Salon International's catalog (or a similar catalog). Worth a try if you're "going natural". My mother has osteoporosis, and brittle nails is a symptom of poor calcium metabolism. She uses this stuff and has the nails of a 20 year old. Unfortunately, she can't rub it on her bones, so she still has osteoporosis.
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to edgar884)
I struggle with nails so much. Mine are not very strong.. If I grow them and do french polishing the alcohol makes them brittle.. I dring spanish milk now with calcio added... lets see. In the bar I play in (spanish) talking nails is not so 'macho' !!
Posts: 247
Joined: Nov. 24 2010
From: San Francisco CA
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to stephen hill)
quote:
I use olive oil too, from my trees!
I have heard this from a Greek classical guitarist too. Is this true? Or is it just mediterannean superstition? (it is like windex, it cures everything)
:) Dinos
_____________________________
Captain Esteban: Caballeros! I believe you all know each other? Don Diego from San Fernando. Don Francisco from San Jose. Don Fernando from San Diego. Don Jose from San Bernardino. Luis Obispo from Bakersfield.
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to edgar884)
I'm lucky enough that i can use my index finger nail as a screw driver.
It's very hard. But the thing is, you can't have too much of anything (that is, having very hard nails, i don't know if having crazy granite nails are a genetic blessing or a curse. I wonder if having it affects my tone). I dunno how i am with my tones in flamenco (i'm a classical player as well) but i was wondering if acrylics, super glue, etc. would change your 'natural' nail sound.
I've heard of Vaseline. Could some amigo please explain what that is? is it for nails? and why flamenco guitarists such as Paco, use it?
Posts: 247
Joined: Nov. 24 2010
From: San Francisco CA
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to CarloJuan)
I guess extremes are bad by definition. But I would prefer your extreme than mine. Now that my rasqueos are getting better, my index finger has been nailess since august despite the use of "hard as nails" and recently the rest of the fingers show cracks on the right side. That is either an indication of improvement or the dry winter of California. I think I will have to experiment a lot before I give in and go to acrylics. But these "unnatural" alternatives can not be good for me.
D.
_____________________________
Captain Esteban: Caballeros! I believe you all know each other? Don Diego from San Fernando. Don Francisco from San Jose. Don Fernando from San Diego. Don Jose from San Bernardino. Luis Obispo from Bakersfield.
Posts: 1809
Joined: Nov. 8 2010
From: London (living in the Bay Area)
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to CarloJuan)
quote:
I've heard of Vaseline. Could some amigo please explain what that is?
It's a brand of petroleum jelly.
'While Vaseline can be used as a lubricant, it is also a useful moisture insulator for local skin conditions characterized by tissue dehydration' (Wikipedia).
My 2 cents.....Nails have been a sore spot with me for a very long time. I have tried everything....Acrylic, super glue, artificial...etc. I play very hard...a lot of Rumbas and working with dancers the past few months has also taken it's toll!
I personally hate acrylic but when you have an emergency there may be no choice. For me super glue doesn't work because it is too brittle and I end up cracking the index finger nail no matter what.....
One product has made a difference for me in the past couple of months....I went into a beauty supply place....yeah yeah I got a lot of funny stares...but I don't really care. I bought a product called Magic Nail....It provides a protective coating and is not brittle like super glue....So far has been working great....it does wear off just like super glue so it needs to be reapplied every 2 to 3 days.
But my nails have been holding up very well even practicing with dancers.
_____________________________
Captain Esteban: Caballeros! I believe you all know each other? Don Diego from San Fernando. Don Francisco from San Jose. Don Fernando from San Diego. Don Jose from San Bernardino. Luis Obispo from Bakersfield.
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to edgar884)
quote:
One product has made a difference for me in the past couple of months....I went into a beauty supply place....yeah yeah I got a lot of funny stares...but I don't really care. I bought a product called Magic Nail....It provides a protective coating and is not brittle like super glue....So far has been working great....it does wear off just like super glue so it needs to be reapplied every 2 to 3 days.
Posts: 2697
Joined: Jun. 7 2010
From: The South Ireland
RE: Real nails and fake nails (in reply to edgar884)
I haven't broken a nail for a year or so , I think they are pretty strong, although I do think that also the key is that they are also pretty short , about the same length as my finger, except the little one , that I can see the nail over the top a bit, thumb nail is a little over the top too and roundish. I did try putting nail hardener on at first but I think while it may have made them strong it also made them brittle, I really think natural is best,, and if you break them a lot then maybe they are too long , I work also in heavy industry but still haven't had a problem with that. I don't think putting anything on them is a good idea, as they need to be open to breathe and be flexible I also heard that if you cover up the cuticle of the nail with stuff it stops the nail from growing healthily .... So in the end I really don't know as I suppose everyone is different , However I would say to try for a long time with just natural and experiment with length and shape , as the other stuff is really for if there is no other way, Also playing the guitar files it away as well so sometimes I just file the inside of the thumb nail to even it up a bit as the outside get filed as playing
Printable Version
I think the glue is more prone to crack when the glue has been on there for a week or so too. 
Do your friends have problems with break-age? I really don't want to get acrylics... 
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread