TAC Family Forums

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  • Fingernails

    Posted by Badgerbanshee on May 25, 2021 at 9:41 am

    I don’t have the toughest fingernails. Just curious if anyone uses manicures to hardeners to at least keep them even? (I do take biotin, which is a B vitamin that’s supposed to promote nail and hair both, but judging from the condition of my nails and the amount of scalp visible, it doesn’t do much in my case.)

    bugmeist replied 3 years, 8 months ago 4 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • Loraine

    Member
    May 25, 2021 at 10:57 am

    Hi @badgerbanshee (original post disappeared into a black hole – haha). Yes, many partake in manicures or using supplements to keep their nails healthy and to strengthen them. I personally keep my nails short on both hands and they seem to be okay most of the time. Other’s have mentioned using a type of nail polish that strengthens and conditions nails,

  • Alfred

    Member
    May 25, 2021 at 12:13 pm

    A couple of thought on nails or no nails.

    If the nails aren’t effecting your overall health, then you can still fingerpick and strum without worrying about keeping them long. Brandon Aker, for instance, cut off his nails to show that even classical guitar could be played without them. There are also thumb and finger picks and all kinds of fake nails used. So even if this continues to vex you, there are alternatives.

    I wonder if any of the folks here have ever used over the counter acrylics for guitar… That would be interesting to know.

  • Badgerbanshee

    Member
    May 26, 2021 at 1:26 pm

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts Loraine and Alfred. I do keep my nails fairly short and I don’t really think the lack of nails affects my playing much. Even when short, they sometimes split. I did see an interview with James Taylor a while back, and he mentioned that he does have acrylic nails because his regular nails wouldn’t last long the way he plays.

  • bugmeist

    Member
    May 27, 2021 at 7:54 am

    A friend of mine who is a professional jazz player uses a thin coat of epoxy on his picking finger nails.

    I’m just learning fingerpicking and have tried both thumb and finger picks but can’t get comfy with them. My outdoor lifestyle means my nails take a beating so, of necessity, I keep them kind of short. As I have no serious asperations (other than playing with other musicians) I’ll just do what I can do.

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