Friday, November 8, 2024
ClassicalGuitar

3 Nail Shapes for Classical Guitarists


Chris from tonebase shows you 3 nail shapes for playing classical guitar so you can experiment and find out what works for you. He also shares some basic shaping fundamentals and at the end of the video takes a look at several famous guitarists’ nail shapes including David Russell, Scott Tennant, and Thomas Viloteau.

For more in-depth resources on all things classical guitar, head over to tonebase.co or click the link below!
➡️ https://www.tonebase.co/guitar?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=3-nail-shapes&utm_content=lesson

Free PDF: Top 10 Tips for Perfect Nails
What’s the one thing every guitarist, no matter their level, is always working on? Nails, of course! Learn the 10 essential nail tips that will help you grow, shape, and maintain your nails better than ever before.
➡️ https://www.tonebase.co/free-guitar-pdf/top-10-tips-for-perfect-nails?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=3-nail-shapes&utm_content=lesson

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#Nail #Shapes #Classical #Guitarists

Originally posted by UCUab4yFxARCcnO13I5r1d7g at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HgcAKFYAWk

27 thoughts on “3 Nail Shapes for Classical Guitarists

  • What you are missing here, particularly with regard to the down-ramp, is that while most guitarists play with the thumb-side of the nail, some players play with the pinkie side. Most players have the string starting at where the nail meets the flesh at the side closest to the thumb and the nail sweeps across the string toward the other side. But some guitarists (like Ida Presti) do the opposite. They start with the string at where the flesh meets the pinkie side of the nail and sweep the other way. I'm pretty sure this is how Thomas Viloteau is playing. This makes what you are calling a "down-ramp" for these players function the way an "up-ramp" functions for typical players.

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  • A beautiful classical guitar has come into my life and I've been loving it!. Amazing video! Thank you!!

    I have somewhat brittle nails it seems. Do you have any tips on that?

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  • Can’t play with my thin nails. Have to only use flesh, or risk ripping my nail in half. I like the sound, but when I hear/feel it, I know it’s time to take my nails down to below the tip. Considering getting fake nails? Useful to think about the shape.

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  • You omitted the best and most noble sounding shape: no nail or next to no nail, [provided the shape of your fingertip is suited to flesh attack technique (i.e. more tapered than bulbous)].

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  • I’m not a beginner but I used grounded nail because that sound and quality of playing for me is playing with grounded nail

    Anyway
    That was a good video

    Good job

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  • Excellent video. I actually shape my nails the Thomas has demonstrated whereby you saddle a piece of sandpaper on a string , put your hand in a natural playing position, and strike the string with the sandpaper giving you the exact shape and angle that your finger is flowing over the string.

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  • I’d love a video on how to have the shortest nails possible and still get some speed benefits. Nails are jus the worst thing to deal with.

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  • DO NOT use a metal nail file, buy a glass manicurists' file, they're much better at taking off just as much nail as you want with varied pressure. They are VERY effective at removing a lot of nail, but can be used to smooth the edge with little or no pressure. Most importantly, they cannot damage the soft tissue of the finger when filing the edge of the nail, or when tightly filing the nails of your fretting hand.

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  • wrong filing angle! It leads to easy splitting and a thinner sounding free stroke. Always file edge on with the nail for a stronger nail with a rounder, bigger tone. nail length is more subjective (finger and nail shape)

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  • Great explanation of basic shapes to use as a starting point. Experimentation is import though, as everyone’s nails are different. I once read that a fan of John Williams asked to see his nails once and he responded something like, “sure, but it won’t help YOU”.

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  • Pretty disappointed you didn't show us how to clip our fingernails off incase we want to play without nails

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  • Could you please do a video about thumb nail shapes? I have been struggling with finding a thumb nail shape for years (gets hooked at contact point). Thanks!

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  • I enjoyed this videom Iike to suggest that if you make another video bring out a guitar and pkay it before you shape your nails and after

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  • how do you shape your thumbnail? this is the fourth video i've watched on it and none of them show you how to shape the thumb nail.

    Reply

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