[clary89]

i heard quite a few people that long fingernails are needed to pluck the classical guitar to make it sound strong. using fingertips makes it sound mellow i heard. issit true? issit hard?

[allthumbs]

True that. Is what hard?

[clary89]

plucking with fingernails.. that is so little space. the fingernail can only grow out a certain length and maintain a "normal look"

[allthumbs]

This is long enough. Hold your hand palm up in front of you. You should just be able to see the nail over the tops of your fingers. This allows you to have the best of both worlds finger contact and nail contact with the strings. If a nail breaks you can still play because you still have the finger contact left. For pure classical your nails need to be longer but, unless your really avid about playing classical absolutely by the book, playing with a blend of fingers and nails is fine.

[r1p32]

i like to keep my nails long to finger-pick, but i find that i do a lot of fast alt. picking on the big e string when i do use a pick and it wears down the nail of my index finger. should i adjust how i hold a pick?

[allthumbs]

Try using the standard way of holding the pick. I remember UGB saying he always had a hard time with his students when it came to holding a pick. It seems it is very common to hold too much of it in your hand. He recommends no more than half the pick be under the fingers. That should allow your fingernail to clear the strings.

[USGold]

Use a thumb pick for the "bass" strings and your nails for the "treble" strings.

[r1p32]

Originally Posted by allthumbs

Try using the standard way of holding the pick. I remember UGB saying he always had a hard time with his students when it came to holding a pick. It seems it is very common to hold too much of it in your hand. He recommends no more than half the pick be under the fingers. That should allow your fingernail to clear the strings.

i tried it and it was good for chords and strumming but it was harder and more uncomfortable with fast alt. picking