Middle Nail Problem

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Middle Nail Problem

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Fred Klinge

Posts: 100
Joined: Aug. 1 2013
From: Abita Springs, Louisiana

Middle Nail Problem

Hi everyone. I'm finally getting some decent length to my right hand nails, but my middle finger nail is hooking downward (over the tip of the finger), as opposed to growing straight out. Needless to say that nail is wreaking havoc with my picado efforts.

Any thoughts on how to correct a downward hooking nail?

Thanks!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 27 2018 15:28:59

Piwin

Posts: 3559
Joined: Feb. 9 2016

RE: Middle Nail Problem (in reply to Fred Klinge)

I got that too but on i. When you file, try not rounding it out but try doing a ramp. That should cut through the hook, make it disappear or at least minimize it. Angle of the ramp you get through trial and error.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 27 2018 15:48:01

kitarist

Posts: 1715
Joined: Dec. 4 2012

RE: Middle Nail Problem (in reply to Fred Klinge)

Also there is the 'heated spoon' trick to temporarily (but on the order of days) straighten out the hook.

Google heated spoon classical guitar nails

For example, here's a video, with a link to a detailed description.

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Konstantin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 27 2018 15:57:12

Fred Klinge

Posts: 100
Joined: Aug. 1 2013
From: Abita Springs, Louisiana

RE: Middle Nail Problem (in reply to kitarist)

quote:

I got that too but on i. When you file, try not rounding it out but try doing a ramp. That should cut through the hook, make it disappear or at least minimize it. Angle of the ramp you get through trial and error.

quote:

Also there is the 'heated spoon' trick to temporarily (but on the order of days) straighten out the hook.

Thanks guys....I have been working on ramping the nail from underneath and I'll study the heated spoon video. Thanks so very much!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 27 2018 16:30:15

Leñador

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

RE: Middle Nail Problem (in reply to Fred Klinge)

The ramp is bueno, I ramp my nails more or less the way Ricardo spells out on some other nail thread.

If the heated spoon doesn't work on your nails you can always rock up some crack.

Kidding aside you may need to do something like that if it's severe but keep in mind your nails don't need to be anywhere near as long as the guy in that video. I don't know what classical players need but for flamenco nails that long are more of a hindrance than a help.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 27 2018 23:49:53

kitarist

Posts: 1715
Joined: Dec. 4 2012

RE: Middle Nail Problem (in reply to Leñador)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Leñador

[...] keep in mind your nails don't need to be anywhere near as long as the guy in that video. I don't know what classical players need but for flamenco nails that long are more of a hindrance than a help.

Yup; in fact (to the OP) William Kanengizer makes the argument, convincingly, that hardly anyone has or needs to use long nails to play guitar - it is just that some guitarists appear to have long nails when their fingers are not pressed onto the string, and that appearance depends on the 3d shape and fleshiness of the fingertips (i.e. if more separation between flesh and nail at rest, the nail appears longer). What is important is how the nail and the flesh underneath are when the fingertip is pressed to the string in the process of executing a stroke.

Here's the video which is about nail shaping and angles and the logic behind it.

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Konstantin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 28 2018 0:41:21

gondorbell

Posts: 55
Joined: Mar. 10 2018
From: Finland

RE: Middle Nail Problem (in reply to Fred Klinge)

Hi!

As an totally amateur flamenco ( 2 months flamenco) i have noticed: now when i have start to file nails using instructions of millions of foro nail-issued pages, its difficult. Dad, a i really using nail file...as a rock man? yes. :) funny. but cause i so new hmm for manicyr stuff :D no idea i have noticed that also i file, my A-finger stucks all a time during my practice(my fav atrafana what i follow). Now say...i can play those beginner style exercises ok with my old pop style...but not at all so good with flamenco style....so much new...so i keep myself totally newbie...then also when i try to make orhans beginners arpeggio exercises with thumb i noticed my thumbs left corner stuck to string...grrrrrr i love this.difficult.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 29 2018 23:10:19

JasonM

Posts: 2051
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: Middle Nail Problem (in reply to kitarist)

All my nails hook down. although file mine in a ramp, I find that the wrist angle is important for me. A good trick is to hold a little piece of sandpaper over a string and let that file your nail to get the right angle.

With hooked nails, I find that filing a steep ramp will cause catching if I change to a more perpendicular angle. My middle has only a slight ramp.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 30 2018 2:16:52

Fred Klinge

Posts: 100
Joined: Aug. 1 2013
From: Abita Springs, Louisiana

RE: Middle Nail Problem (in reply to JasonM)

quote:

All my nails hook down. although file mine in a ramp, I find that the wrist angle is important for me. A good trick is to hold a little piece of sandpaper over a string and let that file your nail to get the right angle.

With hooked nails, I find that filing a steep ramp will cause catching if I change to a more perpendicular angle. My middle has only a slight ramp.

Thanks, Jason. I'm thankful that it's only my middle finger nail that's problematic. My flamenco instructor has been working with me to relax the right hand and wrist more and create the perpendicular angle to the strings. I'm trying to undo many years of a straight wrist position! Along with the perpendicular finger position, I'm also continuing to ramp the nail a bit while filing. I've found that using a good quality glass file along with a fine emery board helps minimize rough nail edges. And I'm also taking a biotin supplement each day for stronger nails. The struggle continues! Thanks for the reminder regarding the perpendicular finger position.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 30 2018 10:03:44