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Looking at photographs can be deceiving. The angle of the photograph makes a difference.
Here are mine. Top photo from the front - they look round. But they are actually filed flat. Second photo I tried to photograph from the angle they meet the string.
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Here is what Jero told me and sent me back in 2020 when I asked him. Obviously, for some reason, he went and took the photo in front of the mirror so it looks like it is his left hand.
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Yes :) after years of different shapes from ramps to curves, Ricardo’s way of filing them flat and even across really made a difference in the attack especially the trebles. Feels even and smooth, in the past I would have them super long curved. Now they’re not super long but just long enough. I really suggest everyone watch his video, it’s actually simpler compared to what I was doing in the past. Olé
Let me grow some more nails first , then I will try again this approach and see how it goes
Would love to hear how you get on Arash. I hope it has the same profound effect as it did for me. (and for steve it seems)
I found the first week or so felt very odd. almost like my nails were slipping off the strings and I couldnt 'grab/hold the' strings like before but don't be put off. stick with it! afetr 2/3 weeks youll forget your old way! its a revolution
I found the first week or so felt very odd. almost like my nails were slipping off the strings and I couldnt 'grab/hold the' strings like before but don't be put off. stick with it! afetr 2/3 weeks youll forget your old way! its a revolution
I don't know how you guys have made progress over these years. You can't reach an advanced level with bad shaped nails. Nail problems should be solved at the beginning. But as they say better late then never.
I don't know how you guys have made progress over these years. You can't reach an advanced level with bad shaped nails. Nail problems should be solved at the beginning. But as they say better late then never.
You can't reach an advanced level with bad shaped nails.
Try telling that to some of those caño roto guys with their crazy claw nails and ridiculous advanced picados etc. As I said, you can "muscle through it". I remember having no glue and the bad shape flexes around the string and if felt ok before I figured out the correct shape means the nail stiffness was irrelevant.
I find I am keeping my nails shorter these days, and although I am neither speedy nor accurate, there is a definite improvement in facilitating speed and accuracy. I find my tone is more even and pleasing too.
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I completely get and agree with what Paco is saying. But it is related to the nails length and shape he is used to. If one of my nails was slightly off, then I had the same feeling, even though apparently I shaped my nails bad, but it was what I am used to.
I somehow doubt that if he stopped playing for 2 days he'd be starting from "the beginning" I mean come on.
Regarding this, I remember an anecdote in which Paco would spend 4 months in Playa del Carment on the beach, not playing at all. And then would practice for only 24 hours preparing to his concert and making almost no mistakes on the day of the concert. I think this really depends on his high standard, common folk would not be able to figure it even when Paco does smth wrong. Well tbh we know Paco did make mistakes and a lot sometimes, but perhaps those did not really correlate too much with how much he practiced beforehand.
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, then I will try again this approach and see how it goes 
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