Hi, my nails are a bit curved because of the angle of attack, I wanna ask if you share the same nail shapes. I’ve tried others but get stuck in in the string. I’ve uploaded a pic just to be sure I’m Not doing something wrong.
Steven Campoli -> RE: Nails (Feb. 8 2026 1:53:44)
Pic 2
Arash -> RE: Nails (Feb. 8 2026 2:27:07)
Nail shape and length are very individual imo, depending on your hand anatomy, technique details, whether you hit the strings more or less parallel to them or angled, etc. You just have to find out what works best for you and refine the details over time until you are happy. I have seen all sorts of shapes and lengths work for different pro players. I don't believe in copying other people's nails. Some let the sides (left and right) grow more and have a more straight nail which probably requires more precise movements. Some file them individually with different angles, etc. There is no right or wrong as long as you are not stuck all the time. My nails are much shorter than yours, almost similar shape but sides a tiny bit longer and thumb nail a bit longer than the rest
devilhand -> RE: Nails (Feb. 8 2026 10:55:07)
You have a ramp going up very high. As arash mentioned let the sides grow. But not too much. Both sides must be low and round. Flat and straight nail shape for all 3 fingers solved my problem. In 2D it looks like there's almost no ramp. But in 3D there's a ramp for all finger nails. I attack strings at a 70-80 degree angle. Even if it's 90, my nails don't get caught. So it seems to be working as well. After finding your optimal nail shape, try different nail lenghts. To me the shorter the better. Thumb nail is another matter and needs to be examined differently.
Ricardo -> RE: Nails (Feb. 8 2026 15:01:12)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Steven Campoli
Hi, my nails are a bit curved because of the angle of attack, I wanna ask if you share the same nail shapes. I’ve tried others but get stuck in in the string. I’ve uploaded a pic just to be sure I’m Not doing something wrong.
No man, this is not going to work. File flat side to side ONLY, the center part will have less white than the sides after they grow out (you are filing the sides down in a curve or "contoured" as they say). Here is a video and discussion:
This is where the “ramp” idea comes in. You need to keep the long thumb side edge, but due to the attack angle of the ring finger, ramp downward toward the pinky and then take off any left over edge pinky side. I do the opposite on the index due to changing angle for pulgar.
Just to add about applying glue. If the glue is not old and kept sealed in a ziplock bag or equivalent, then you should not be wearing it off faster than a week or so. You should need only apply once a WEEK. If it wears in a day, it is expired and the bottle should be discarded.
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Steven Campoli -> RE: Nails (Feb. 8 2026 22:11:14)
Thank you all for the replies. I’m taking all your advice. I tried to salvage the ramp I have going on, Ricardo thank you I followed your video and also by seeing the pic, I flattened more side to side… now the sides just had to grow to have an even flatness. It already feels much better.
Ricardo -> RE: Nails (Feb. 9 2026 11:56:21)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Steven Campoli
Thank you all for the replies. I’m taking all your advice. I tried to salvage the ramp I have going on, Ricardo thank you I followed your video and also by seeing the pic, I flattened more side to side… now the sides just had to grow to have an even flatness. It already feels much better.
Great. that makes 4 converts, 2,996 to go! [:D]
Arash -> RE: Nails (Feb. 9 2026 12:07:01)
Let's see if it works. This shape never worked for me, always felt weird when I tried it. I need a little bit of curve from left to right.
Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
Arash -> RE: Nails (Feb. 9 2026 12:19:44)
I guess mine are very short, as they don't protrude the flesh part infront at all as well
Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px
Ricardo -> RE: Nails (Feb. 9 2026 16:30:09)
that's called "no nails" [:D]
zendalex -> RE: Nails (Feb. 9 2026 22:56:53)
Hi Ricardo,
Thanks for the pic. The red outlining lines (which actually do not match the contour of your nail) - what do they mean? Another possibility to shape? I think the nail shape must very much depend on the angle of the attack. Do I understand correctly that you essentially pluck totally perpendicular to the string? I know for example, that Grisha rotates his wrist slightly towards the rosette. I think in the latter case the shape you have would not work.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ricardo
No man, this is not going to work. File flat side to side ONLY, the center part will have less white than the sides after they grow out (you are filing the sides down in a curve or "contoured" as they say). Here is a video and discussion:
This is where the “ramp” idea comes in. You need to keep the long thumb side edge, but due to the attack angle of the ring finger, ramp downward toward the pinky and then take off any left over edge pinky side. I do the opposite on the index due to changing angle for pulgar.
