Finger picks and Acrylic nails

[TexMexMike]

There are a lot of Blues palyers that use thumb and finger picks. Such as Keb' Mo', Jorma Kaukonen etc. Darn if I could find finger picks (The kind you think of a banjo player using) anywhere at the local music stores around here. I wanted to give them a try. (I mostly use a pick or "naked finger pick")

Also, I have contemplated getting a set of acrylics, but then the likelihood of some of the comments one may get, has side lined that idea.

What do you guys use? Ever experimented???

[nothin but the blues]

Every once and a great while I'll let the nails on my right hand grow out a bit. You don't have to let them grow out much. Aside from fingerpicking bare finger (which is what I do) I think growing your nails out a bit on your strumming hand is the next best thing. Of course, you don't have to take the nail growing to the lengths of... ohhh... lets say Esteban :p :bannana_g

[Justpickin]

Tex - try this link http://www.elderly.com/ Best assortment of finger picks or flat picks that you'll find. They seem to cater to us blues players. Myself, sometimes I'll finger pic only,and sometimes flatpick and finger with the index finger. I've tried the fingerpics, but always have come back to just bare fingers.

[TexMexMike]

I suffer from "Thin Nail Syndrome." Among others :Loco: And PLEASE never refer to my favorite "CHEAP BAR" lounge entertainer, turned late night "Comedy Hour" king in a doragatory manner!!!

Can you FEEL the sarcasim?? LOL


***and "YES" I can't spell!!!

[TexMexMike]

Thanks Just! Just want to give the picks a whirl!!! :thumbsup:

[x-180]

you mean he's not really a guitar giant?

[darkangel]

I tried a thumb pick once, but it was metal and weird.. and well it just didn't work. I've also wanted to try those picks you're referring to Tex, but never got a chance to. Until then, fingerpicking = acoustic, pick = electric, for me

[Jossy]

My kid brother is a classical guitar player, and sometimes, when he is having a problem with his nails, he cuts a ping pong ball, shapes a piece and glues it to his finger and plays ok...he has said to me that using ping pong balls is the closest to a fingernail he has found...he dislikes acrylic nails...to fake, he says...

Hope this helps...

Saludos.

[WireNWood]

I got a degree in "Classical" guitar some years ago, and we had to be very careful about our nails, of course. It meant grades.

It was a common thing to see - in the music department - something you'd never see anywhere else: guys with big-Metal-hair, guys with punk-style spikes, guys with short haircuts and button-down shirts all straight-laced, shaven heads, tats and piercings everywhere... and all these guys are sitting around together filing their fingernails.

I learned the ping-pong ball trick back then. I still use a flatpick and 2 nails to play - constantly. I have to suppliment my nails often, they grind down (I am a rather agressive player).

I tried the pingpong balls, but for the last ten years or so I've been using guitar picks instead - usually thins. I just cut pieces of an old pick in to a crescent shape and super-glue it under there, same as the pingpong ball trick. Then they can be cut & shaped & filed & sanded to taste. If you use a white pick no one will ever notice.

I recommend that ANYONE who uses fingernails should at the very least sandpaper them smooth. USe real fine stuff - 1000 grit at least. The smoother that edge is where the nail contacts the string, the less likely you are to tear the nail. Just tear off a few pieces a few inches square and keep 'em in your guitar case or whatever.

[Jossy]

Where did you get your classical degree, WnW? Just curious...

Saludos.

[Bytor1975]

Also, I have contemplated getting a set of acrylics, but then the likelihood of some of the comments one may get, has side lined that idea.
I missed this thread I guess...

About 11 years ago I was taking classical guitar lessons from a guy. I have really thin nails that tear easily, so I opted to get some acrylics put on. They were actually inspired my playing because I was getting a tone I had never gotten before, even with my steel string. It also made my finger style bass playing interesting in my band.

But it was very short lived. I was visiting an ex-girlfriend at work and she told me some people were talking about me getting fingernails put on and... blah blah blah. That and a few other raised eyebrows from others, and I yanked them off. That hurt. LOL