Thumb question

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Thumb question

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Phil

Posts: 382
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Rota, Spain

Thumb question

Here's a question I really shouldn't have to ask at this stage of the game, but it was never clearly explained me. And for whatever reason I felt dumb having to ask it. When playing with your thumb is your nail contacting the string on a down stroke or is it simply supporting the (heavily calloused) flesh? I used to get an annoying clicking sound as the string roled off the flesh onto the nail. The teacher I had at the time just said, "Why do you have such long nails? That clicking sound is driving me nuts." I was kind of taken aback and didn't ask for an explanation. A few days later I saw Alberto San Miguel , who was Antonio Ajugeta's guitarist for a long time, in a bar and I noticed his thumb nail was filed at about a 45 degree angle, sloping up from left to right when you look down at your own right hand thumb. Another time I was introduced to Paco Cepero and I noticed that his thumb nail was filed exactly the same way. By the way, both had very short thumb nails unlike Moraito's claw-like nails. When I met Moraito I kept trying to see how his nail was filed, but I couldn't see that side of it (I didn't get a chance to shake hands which is the perfect opportunity to check this out without being too obvious). I wonder if Simon got a clear look at it when he met him? Anyway, to get to the point, I started filing my nail the same way as Cepero and San Miguel and my teacher stopped complaining (at least about the clicking noise).

But since then my nail doesn't really come into contact with the string. Is this the norm? To play alzapua or rajeos involving the thumb, I shift my hand so my thumb is a little more perpendicular to the strings. What are some of you guys (or girls) doing?

Thanks,
Phil

PS. I hope I don't sound like I'm name dropping. I don't actually know these people. I've just met or have seen them in a bar or store. I'm a bit shy and don't usually approach them. I've said it many times on this forum that if you're going to Spain for Flamenco, then go to Jerez. If you spend a few days there you will undoubtedly run into some of your favorite Flamencos on the street, if you know what they look like. I've met several and I hardly ever even go to Jerez. Also, you will not find as much accessible Flamenco anywhere else in Spain.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 19 2005 14:41:34

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Thumb question (in reply to Phil)

Hi Phil,
For what it's worth, I tend to use both ways myself.
For "normal" thumb work, I tend to use the callous part, (which is very hard) just under
the side of the nail.
As you turn the thumb slowly round, you start getting a mix of callous and nail, until when it's about 60 degrees to the strings it's all nail contact, which is good for some alzapua or fast thumb work.
The amount you turn the thumb just really depends on the sound you want.

But I agree..I don't like that "clicky" thin sound you tend to get with pure nail contact.

cheers,

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 19 2005 15:17:20