Nail wearing pattern (Full Version)

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turnermoran -> Nail wearing pattern (Jul. 21 2013 0:33:10)

I'm curious if anyone else has this problem and what you have done about it:
I play with a right hand position that is not perpendicular to the strings.
It's kind of like what Scott Tennant describes in the pumping nylon book.
Over the years it is become more perpendicular, but I can't avoid the problem I have, which is that I strike the string initially in the same place, which is a centimeter or so to the right of the left most edge of the fingernail (if viewed by holding your right hand up in the air and looking at the top of the hand). See pic..

If I do nothing, this starts creating a divot in the slope of the fingernail. Usually, I file down the tip to correct for the problem, but this shortens my nail considerably.
I use crazy glue, and over the years have tried just about everything. Crazy glue seems to work the best for making my nail as tough as possible.
And my nails are solid, reliable, and pretty tough. I see no reason (nor have the desire) to try acrylic nails.

The culprit appears to be my Picado, and how hard I often play it.

I only have this problem on the i and m fingers.
Any suggestions?



FredGuitarraOle -> RE: Nail wearing pattern (Jul. 21 2013 2:01:36)

I have that exact same problem, on my thumb nail too. Recently I have slightly changed my nails shape because of that. Although the issue remains, it is much better now and I can play picado and pulgar for a lot longer before that starts to happen. That depends a lot on your nail shape and how your fingers travel across the strings, and only through experimenting different nail shapes and attack angles you can find a solution that works for you. Other than that, I can think of two things you can do:

1 - Using a brush, apply a thin layer of super glue to the edge of the nails (it's easier to do this with the brush perpendicular to the nail plate). After it dries, simply smooth the nail edge with fine sandpaper and you're good to go. This helps because the strings start by wearing of the super glue, delaying the wear of the nail. If you do this correctly and smooth the nail edge with care, it shouldn't affect your sound. I do this almost every night before going to sleep and it works for me.

2 - Start using one of those products that stimulate nail growth. If the rate your nails grow is bigger than the rate the nails wear of, then you can file them down more often to correct the nail shape.

Good luck!



Dave K -> RE: Nail wearing pattern (Jul. 21 2013 2:14:37)

I have the same problem Brian. What I do besides putting on super glue is to first put a piece of fiberglass nail wrap (A.S.P. fiberglass nail wrap) on the nail, covering about 1/3 to 1/2 of the end. Then add a little super glue and sprinkle a little acrylic powder on the nail. Then file to make smooth on top and at the end. Makes the nail a bit thicker and lasts maybe twice as long before you have to file or reshape.
Works for me...

Cheers,
Dave



turnermoran -> RE: Nail wearing pattern (Jul. 21 2013 2:50:22)

Hey guys – I have heard of this acrylic powder before. I've never used it, and I'm curious. When I do a quick search on Amazon so, it all seems to be the type intended to make nails sparkly.

Is there a type that adds no additional color or a fact that I can incorporate into my crazy glue routine?

Did that make the nail tips even tougher?

I like this idea rather than the acrylic material simply because my past efforts involving something that balked up the tip of my nail didn't work because it feels like the fingernail tips are catching on the strings when I rasgueado.



Dave K -> RE: Nail wearing pattern (Jul. 21 2013 17:10:43)

Hi Brian, this is the powder Jason recommended to me. It is a white powder that turns clear in the super glue.
http://www.sallybeauty.com/5-Second-Nail-Filler-Powder/SBS-527020,default,pd.html

The fiberglass nail wrap makes it more durable and makes it easier to remove when you're ready to re-apply.

http://www.sallybeauty.com/fiberglass-nail-wrap/SBS-154250,es,pd.html

Cheers,
Dave



ToddK -> RE: Nail wearing pattern (Jul. 22 2013 0:54:02)

Dont wait until there's a divet. You have to fine file constantly,
every time you stop or start playing, including short breaks.

Glue dries my nail out and makes the problem worse.
I dont use glue anymore.

TK



Miguel de Maria -> RE: Nail wearing pattern (Jul. 22 2013 15:27:56)

Todd, are you saying that if you keep them smooth, a divot won't be able to develop (and that you will ultimately save nail by doing so)?



Morante -> RE: Nail wearing pattern (Jul. 22 2013 16:10:45)

quote:

Dont wait until there's a divet. You have to fine file constantly,
every time you stop or start playing, including short breaks.


This is just what Roman Vicenti told me some years ago. Now I never use anything and I play steel string fingerstyle all the time, without problems, if I fine file constantly.

But then I never accompany dance[;)]



ToddK -> RE: Nail wearing pattern (Jul. 23 2013 1:58:30)

quote:

Todd, are you saying that if you keep them smooth, a divot won't be able to develop (and that you will ultimately save nail by doing so)?


Hopefully, yes that is the best case scenario. If you have an extra
brutal picado, and you practice insane amounts, well, you may
of course have issues no matter what. Even with glue.

I practice picado quite a bit, and pretty hard. For me, constant fine
filing is the answer.
TK



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