Miguel de Maria -> Nail use perspectives (Jan. 31 2006 16:19:53)
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This one is not so much about nails as how we use it and the finger. It seems to me that there are two main categories of playing, which are really quite different. One, is to slide the nail across the string with a glancing stroke. Using a ramp, you can get the nail to touch the string for a long area (maybe almost 1/2" on my fingers). The result seems to be a mellow sound. The other is where you attack the strings with the nail perpendicular. The travel of the string on the nail runs along the line of the bone, and exits at the tip of the nail. It seems that generally, this makes for a more bright sound. I was wondering how many people agree with my assessment of these two categories. I don't hear it talked about much, but it seems to make a huge difference in sound, and probably mechanics as well. My sound is too round for my taste, I want more "bite" and am exploring possibilities to get it that way. Any thoughts?
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