[1/2-Fast Player]

Good deal. Now all you have to do is earn a set of callouses.

[OiBoyz]

Yep, I'm working on the callouses. Ow.

[1/2-Fast Player]

I guess you've given up on ever having girlie fingernails again...

[OiBoyz]

I never did have girlie fingernails. Question about that, though... back in the day I did take a few classical lessons, and right handed fingernails were strongly encouraged. I see mostly strumming, at least for a while, so do I want fingernails on my right hand? Or just use a pick?

[roscoestring]

I see a lot of folks (male and female) play using their fingernails to pick. I could never do that. When I do finger pick, I use the finger picks. It just feels more comfortable to me.

Have you seen Dolly Parton's fingernails? How does she pick? Whoa!

[1/2-Fast Player]

I play classical sometimes, so I have no nails on my left hand and long nails on my right. I have trouble with my nails cracking, and there's a permanent split in my right hand ring finger nail. It's split all the way into the cuticle and just grows that way. To make my nails useable for classical guitar, I have to use clear nail polish on my right hand.

Even so, I'll often crack one while working on the car or doing farm chores or whatever, and have to give up the classical for a few days until it grows back to shape.

Unless you're hooked on learning a finger style like bluegrass or classical, stick with a pick for now. I think fingernails work great for those styles, but keeping the nails in shape is a pain. And since your nails will grow and change shape a bit and have various nicks in them, it's like having different picks every time you play.

Get comfortable with pick style playing first and add the finger style techniques later.

[1/2-Fast Player]

And I'm just amazed that Dolly can hold the guitar close enough for her arms to reach...

[OiBoyz]

Originally Posted by 1/2-Fast Player

And I'm just amazed that Dolly can hold the guitar close enough for her arms to reach...

Indeed.

[rocket955]

Originally Posted by 1/2-Fast Player

And I'm just amazed that Dolly can hold the guitar close enough for her arms to reach...

Ya, It is a mental block.

[rocket955]

Originally Posted by OiBoyz

I never did have girlie fingernails. Question about that, though... back in the day I did take a few classical lessons, and right handed fingernails were strongly encouraged. I see mostly strumming, at least for a while, so do I want fingernails on my right hand? Or just use a pick?

I use a combo style my pick and fingers together.

[fenderguy962]

I alternate between picking and fingerpicking mid-song by putting the pick in between my index and middle finger then just flick it back into position when I need it again. I wouldn't recommend this if you're just beginning though. Just pick for a while. For me, I picked for a few months and got used to switching chords before I tried to fingerpick at all, trying to control both hands at once when chords aren't second nature is overwhelming.

I actually don't need fingernails at all to fingerpick though. I like to keep them as short as possible most of the time on both hands, but that's just me. I don't know that I learned the "right" way to do it, but it works so.... whatever.

[rocket955]

I actually don't need fingernails at all to fingerpick though. I like to keep them as short as possible most of the time on both hands, but that's just me. I don't know that I learned the "right" way to do it, but it works so.... whatever. [/QUOTE]


I think the right way to do it is to do it well.