Fred Klinge -> Middle Nail Problem (Mar. 27 2018 15:28:59)
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!
Piwin -> RE: Middle Nail Problem (Mar. 27 2018 15:48:01)
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.
kitarist -> RE: Middle Nail Problem (Mar. 27 2018 15:57:12)
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.
Fred Klinge -> RE: Middle Nail Problem (Mar. 27 2018 16:30:15)
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!
Leñador -> RE: Middle Nail Problem (Mar. 27 2018 23:49:53)
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. [:D]
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.
kitarist -> RE: Middle Nail Problem (Mar. 28 2018 0:41:21)
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.
gondorbell -> RE: Middle Nail Problem (Mar. 29 2018 23:10:19)
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.
JasonM -> RE: Middle Nail Problem (Mar. 30 2018 2:16:52)
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.
Fred Klinge -> RE: Middle Nail Problem (Mar. 30 2018 10:03:44)
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.
