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Phil -> Thumb question (Nov. 19 2005 14:41:34)
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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.
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