Great vid as always Jared! Getting into the "what I though, and what I discovered, and why I decided" is so valuable - because it helps answer the questions that go through all our minds. I have to play with "short" nails (not "no-nails") because the physical work I do destroys nails if they're any longer. They just peek out over the fingertip skin, so they provide a good "pluck" which of course gets the best tone and volume out of the string. A benefit (to me) of the shorter nails is that I don't end up "scritching" (sliding the nail sideways, even a little bit as you go to pluck - because hand position wasn't quite right) and "buzzing" (having the nail 'just barely' contact an already vibrating string that you're about to pluck) as much because the pad of the finger would/does damp that before it happens.
Good morning Jared and thank you so much for your vidéo. I think your talks are so spirituals. In France we say "nécessité fait loi", and for sure Segovia was a fondamentalist and a kind of religious figure in the sense that he had nether said something like "you can play without nails it can brings nice sounds...", he even humiliated people who came to his masterclass without nails (cf. the event with Emilio Pujol no nails player) but his goals were to play in front of as many audiences as possible, then he wanted a loud sounds with loud guitares, then "nécessité fait loi", he needed a nails technics. But when we look closer to the guitar history, and lets take the baroque time where a concert means to play infront of 10 or 15 peoples in a room (and not infront of 3500 people like Segovia did), then we don't need a loud sounds, but just a beautiful sound. Furthermore I think that double strings instruments doesn't match so much with nails technics -even if it seams possible -cf. Bream & Yepes playing the luth with nails- . Industrialisation of the music brought us this idea that music must be as loud as possible, must be infront of as many people as possible, must brings as more money as possible, but it had not been that way in the past. Isn't it that we could say that the power of the guitar could lay in its intimacy and not in any supposed loud sounds ? 🙂
Really interesting reflection; thank you. I realised while listening that I’ve also been seeking the single answer solution. BTW - I found your excellent channel because of your interview with Rob. Love the variety.
I have been playing guitar for less than six years. This is mostly an "aspirational" channel for me; I've learned a lot of theory here and grabbed some lead-playing tips, but it is mostly about seeing what is possible on a guitar and hearing some great technique. It is humbling to hear that you did a "style experiment" for almost as long as the entirety of my playing experience. It is a lesson in patience and mindfulness. Very impressive.
Hi Jared, thank you very much for this thoughtful, honest and thought-provoking video. I work in child care and, because of my work, don't want to (and can't really) have fingernails. But I also love playing classical guitar. I'm no where near at your level, but it's something that brings me a lot of pleasure. I think, like you mentioned, the discipline and commitment required to "follow through", even when it's not easy, is something that's helped me in other areas of my life. Once again, thank you for this video. I love how you're open to changing your mind and sharing so openly with us. It really highlights your commitment to the lifelong learning process, which I believe is so important in mastering the guitar, but also has amazing outcomes when applied to life more generally. 🙌
Hi Amelia. Thank you for your kind comment! 🙏 I'm glad my ongoing reflections are landing well and that they're helpful for you. Awesome to hear your parallels between musical insights and life insights too! 😊
Fingertip player here, the method has its shortcomings (projection and dynamics), but there's just this visceral, tactile feedback you get from plucking with fingertips that you don't get from nails or picks. There's this beautiful feedback loop that occurs when you can feel the resonance of the strings in both hands instead of just your fretting hand, even if it's just for a split second the moment your fingers pluck. It's hard to explain but once both of my hands got used to playing by feeling the resonance, playing with dynamics got a lot easier.
Hi Jared, thanks for sharing. I quite like when you explain your views on a subject. I agree you always have the right to change your mind, since you probably don't see all the angels of a subject in the first attempt. Kind regards Carsten from Denmark 😊
I occasionally play a classical guitar, but more often play steel string acoustic and electric so I enjoy the eclectic nature of this channel - no need to narrow your focus for me. I really admire your wide ranging interests and am interested in anything you can do with 6 strings in standard tuning!
I only took 8 months of classical guitar lessons (Christopher Parkening) and found out (without needing more time and certainly not 5 years) I didn't like growing my nails in my right hand because my nails would break from activities of daily living and martial arts and I also play piano but i did so until i stopped with the lessons. But I strongly didn't like as much the sound produced playing fingerstyle classical without longer nails. It was quickly, simply, and clearly obvious that without the longer right hand classical fingerstyle nails that the music/ sound didn't have the same volume and seemed blunted - like something was missing if playing classical pieces. So very simply, it was obvious that the longer right hand finger nails function like a pic in giving a more robust sound. Also I think playing with a pic gives a stronger sound than fingerstyle regardless of longer nails or normal nails for gypsy jazz. I was curious to find out by looking at TH-cam videos to see if many of the better gypsy jazz/Django R. style guitarist played with fingerstyle or mostly with a pic. From what I found was that 95%+ of the gypsy jazz guitarist use a pic giving more vitality and volume. Did Django Reinhardt use a pic? "Django Reinhardt used a thick, stiff pick, usually made of natural tortoise shell, to play the guitar. He preferred to use the thickest pick he could find to have more control over the strings. " Similarly, don't all the top flamenco guitarist play with longer nails.
Your conclusions about using different techniques at different times and for different projects reminds me of what Rob MacKillop says about there being no right way to play the guitar. I don't think he would find fault with what you say here at all. I am a total beginner at 74 with the classical guitar, and have made the decision to learn without nails. I do really like the overall tone of no nails and having no nail maintenance, although after reading another comment on here where the person talks about playing with short nails, I MAY try that. Starting at an older age has shown me the importance of being clear on just what my goals are. Proper technique is a lifelong journey, and realistically, even if I do live for many more years, will my hands still be able to maintain any flexibility? Hell, they already have less flexibility!! I want to get good enough at a basic level with techniques to the point where I can actually start playing pieces that I love and have them sound decent. And although I will keep working on improving that sound, learning actual pieces will always be first for me. That is why I loved the first video you did in your planned 7 videos on classical guitar. It gave me an actual piece to work on at the same time as learning techniques. And that is the exact approach I want. I'm finding the practices that you demonstrated in that video to be very helpful, and especially because I can see them as part of the piece that i want to play. I guess what you said about someone saying we should only practise techniques that are part of an actual pieces resonates most with me as the way I want to approach this. Apologies for the lengthy comment. I mostly wanted to say that I agree with the spirit of this video and your take on using what seems right and proper for what you are doing and not being hung up on "the ONLY proper way"!
love playing classical guitar, yet Nails were the biggest challenge.. it was a daily issue with thin breaking nails running to the salon for an emergency nail fix.. after a few years, switched to acoustic guitar which didn’t seem to need the tonal techniques.. recently entering the jazz world and loving finger style on a hollow body. Seems lots of folks in this style create a hybrid approach which seems a useful way to go. Thanks for covering another topic of my interests!
Hi Jared, Contrary to you, I began with classical guitar, from Carcassi to Villa-Lobos. Then I switched to Bossa-nova and jazz. To me, I passed from intrumentist to musician as I finally knew in witch key I played. 😅 For your projection issue, did you tried the classical "buté" technique ?
Hi Christian. Thanks for the comment. I'm a big fan of all those too: Villa-Lobos, bossa-nova, and jazz. :) I haven't heard of the "buté" technique. Can you post a link?
I think one of the main cons of playing without nails is that the wrist posture that promotes the fingertip snap that you need to develop a good sound with the IMA fingers disadvantages the ergonomics of the thumb. This leaves the thumb as a clunky inarticulate appendage that tends to produce a dull, indistinct sound as the upper left-hand corner of the thumb's flesh strikes the strings. Understanding the distinction between a WARM tone and a DULL tone is crucial to playing without nails. My solution has been to superglue a 3mm thick strip of belt leather on the back of a Fred Kelly Speedpick. Being able to play the bass strings with a tab that projects from the side of the thumb provides a distinct, robust sound and lets me focus on getting a good snap with my IMA fingers. The leather backing gives a timbre that is consistent with that of the IMA fingertip flesh. The impression that the guitar sounds too quiet when played without nails is transformed when the instrument's bass response is full and distinct...without the need for "digging in."
Wow, what a creative solution! I appreciate hearing your observations on the sounds produced by different techniques. Hopefully some viewers get to soak this in too.
I envy the late Jeff Beck who, in his own words “wedded” himself to the Strat, played with his fingers. Period. But if you listen to his earlier recordings, you can tell how long a journey that was. I love playing jazz guitar with my fingers but I will never leave behind the plectrum entirely. It actually gives me extra means of expression. Ok, I have to switch techniques but that is not too high a price to pay. At least, I don’t have to wait three weeks for my pic to grow back 😂
i can get my nails down pretty short and still get the sound out of my nails but that also requires even more nail maintenance and it's a constant battle dealing with the differences in sound. however, I have tried without nails a couple times and I made the decision to keep them long ago. the sound is just different. also, I ONLY play classical so... there is also that
1 I recall seeing a Segovia interview on TV. He said John Williams had perfect nails but if you don't... don't take up the classical guitar... Hmm a bit harsh eh? 2 I'm not a classical guitarist but I do suffer from terrible nails. I play with whatever I have.. Often a mixture of broken and ok. 3 Over the years I tried folk guitarist John Pearce's solution.. He stuck on layers of tissue paper.. Doesn't look good and my patients (I'm a medic) would comment when I palpated or percussed! 4 Paul Simon has stuck on nails but my wife's nail lady says it's not a good idea to do this for long.. I do on occasion use superglue when one has broken badly but that's also to reduce the pain. 5 Are you aware of the table tennis ball trick... See John Renbourne or Clive Carroll! Bit extreme eh? th-cam.com/video/6LS1_PnsEAc/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared 6 I noticed some use a plastic thumb pic and their nails (Chet Atkins.. He would wear gloves to protect his nails I read) His mate Mark Knopfler uses fingertips often btw.. Bought their joint CD.. Fabulous.. I'm sure you know www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chet-atkins-fingerpicking-country-guitar 7 I've tried a lacquer to toughen the nails.. Helps a bit.. Some say eat jelly cubes (ergh).. 8 I've tried some fingerpics but not seriously.. 9 I'll be interested to hear your experience with the new ones.
Btw the comments after the ping pong linked Carroll demo are very useful too. Some comment on artifical nails softening theirs. Keeping cut toe nails to stuck on was perhaps too much information?
What about staying more flexible with options and playing with fingerpicks when desired or leaving them off? I’m using a brand of fingerpicks called Tiptonics and they work amazing. Then I take them off and play without them. Each way is a challenge and both are available anytime.
Funny you mention it! I have some Tiptonics on the way in the mail right now! I just heard about them recently and wanted to give them a try. I'll likely post a video on how it goes :) If they feel like nails then I'm right there with you. The other fingerpicks I use (Alaska Piks) didn't quite have the right nail feel, though I did use them for years in the way you've described. Thanks for the comment.
Mastering an instrument is a journey without a destination. You might have a destination in mind, but often the current draws to other places.
Well said! 🙏
Great vid as always Jared! Getting into the "what I though, and what I discovered, and why I decided" is so valuable - because it helps answer the questions that go through all our minds.
I have to play with "short" nails (not "no-nails") because the physical work I do destroys nails if they're any longer. They just peek out over the fingertip skin, so they provide a good "pluck" which of course gets the best tone and volume out of the string. A benefit (to me) of the shorter nails is that I don't end up "scritching" (sliding the nail sideways, even a little bit as you go to pluck - because hand position wasn't quite right) and "buzzing" (having the nail 'just barely' contact an already vibrating string that you're about to pluck) as much because the pad of the finger would/does damp that before it happens.
I appreciate the feedback! Thanks for sharing your methods too. There are lots of nuances for people to explore in this regard 👍
Good morning Jared and thank you so much for your vidéo. I think your talks are so spirituals. In France we say "nécessité fait loi", and for sure Segovia was a fondamentalist and a kind of religious figure in the sense that he had nether said something like "you can play without nails it can brings nice sounds...", he even humiliated people who came to his masterclass without nails (cf. the event with Emilio Pujol no nails player) but his goals were to play in front of as many audiences as possible, then he wanted a loud sounds with loud guitares, then "nécessité fait loi", he needed a nails technics. But when we look closer to the guitar history, and lets take the baroque time where a concert means to play infront of 10 or 15 peoples in a room (and not infront of 3500 people like Segovia did), then we don't need a loud sounds, but just a beautiful sound. Furthermore I think that double strings instruments doesn't match so much with nails technics -even if it seams possible -cf. Bream & Yepes playing the luth with nails- . Industrialisation of the music brought us this idea that music must be as loud as possible, must be infront of as many people as possible, must brings as more money as possible, but it had not been that way in the past. Isn't it that we could say that the power of the guitar could lay in its intimacy and not in any supposed loud sounds ? 🙂
Really interesting reflection; thank you. I realised while listening that I’ve also been seeking the single answer solution. BTW - I found your excellent channel because of your interview with Rob. Love the variety.
Thanks! I'm glad you found it interesting. It's good to know that the Rob interview is appreciated too!
Jared, you are killing it on here, man! Stopping by to say hey bro! Great video.
Hey! Thanks so much! 😊
I have been playing guitar for less than six years. This is mostly an "aspirational" channel for me; I've learned a lot of theory here and grabbed some lead-playing tips, but it is mostly about seeing what is possible on a guitar and hearing some great technique. It is humbling to hear that you did a "style experiment" for almost as long as the entirety of my playing experience. It is a lesson in patience and mindfulness. Very impressive.
Thanks so much! 🙏
I'm glad you find some inspiration and get a sense of what's possible on the guitar from my channel :)
Hi Jared, thank you very much for this thoughtful, honest and thought-provoking video. I work in child care and, because of my work, don't want to (and can't really) have fingernails. But I also love playing classical guitar. I'm no where near at your level, but it's something that brings me a lot of pleasure. I think, like you mentioned, the discipline and commitment required to "follow through", even when it's not easy, is something that's helped me in other areas of my life. Once again, thank you for this video. I love how you're open to changing your mind and sharing so openly with us. It really highlights your commitment to the lifelong learning process, which I believe is so important in mastering the guitar, but also has amazing outcomes when applied to life more generally. 🙌
Hi Amelia. Thank you for your kind comment! 🙏
I'm glad my ongoing reflections are landing well and that they're helpful for you. Awesome to hear your parallels between musical insights and life insights too! 😊
Fingertip player here, the method has its shortcomings (projection and dynamics), but there's just this visceral, tactile feedback you get from plucking with fingertips that you don't get from nails or picks. There's this beautiful feedback loop that occurs when you can feel the resonance of the strings in both hands instead of just your fretting hand, even if it's just for a split second the moment your fingers pluck. It's hard to explain but once both of my hands got used to playing by feeling the resonance, playing with dynamics got a lot easier.
Thanks for sharing your observations! I'm sure some readers will find it useful :)
Hi Jared, thanks for sharing. I quite like when you explain your views on a subject. I agree you always have the right to change your mind, since you probably don't see all the angels of a subject in the first attempt.
Kind regards
Carsten from Denmark 😊
Thanks for the feedback and encouragement, Carsten! 😊
There are more talking videos on the way!
I occasionally play a classical guitar, but more often play steel string acoustic and electric so I enjoy the eclectic nature of this channel - no need to narrow your focus for me. I really admire your wide ranging interests and am interested in anything you can do with 6 strings in standard tuning!
Thanks Mason! That's great to hear 🙂
It is the journey, never the arrival, like life.
Amen to that! 🙏
I only took 8 months of classical guitar lessons (Christopher Parkening) and found out (without needing more time and certainly not 5 years) I didn't like growing my nails in my right hand because my nails would break from activities of daily living and martial arts and I also play piano but i did so until i stopped with the lessons.
But I strongly didn't like as much the sound produced playing fingerstyle classical without longer nails.
It was quickly, simply, and clearly obvious that without the longer right hand classical fingerstyle nails that the music/ sound didn't have the same volume and seemed blunted - like something was missing if playing classical pieces.
So very simply, it was obvious that the longer right hand finger nails function like a pic in giving a more robust sound.
Also I think playing with a pic gives a stronger sound than fingerstyle regardless of longer nails or normal nails for gypsy jazz.
I was curious to find out by looking at TH-cam videos to see if many of the better gypsy jazz/Django R. style guitarist played with fingerstyle or mostly with a pic. From what I found
was that 95%+ of the gypsy jazz guitarist use a pic giving more vitality and volume.
Did Django Reinhardt use a pic?
"Django Reinhardt used a thick, stiff pick, usually made of natural tortoise shell, to play the guitar. He preferred to use the thickest pick he could find to have more control over the strings. "
Similarly, don't all the top flamenco guitarist play with longer nails.
Your conclusions about using different techniques at different times and for different projects reminds me of what Rob MacKillop says about there being no right way to play the guitar. I don't think he would find fault with what you say here at all.
I am a total beginner at 74 with the classical guitar, and have made the decision to learn without nails. I do really like the overall tone of no nails and having no nail maintenance, although after reading another comment on here where the person talks about playing with short nails, I MAY try that.
Starting at an older age has shown me the importance of being clear on just what my goals are. Proper technique is a lifelong journey, and realistically, even if I do live for many more years, will my hands still be able to maintain any flexibility? Hell, they already have less flexibility!!
I want to get good enough at a basic level with techniques to the point where I can actually start playing pieces that I love and have them sound decent. And although I will keep working on improving that sound, learning actual pieces will always be first for me.
That is why I loved the first video you did in your planned 7 videos on classical guitar. It gave me an actual piece to work on at the same time as learning techniques. And that is the exact approach I want. I'm finding the practices that you demonstrated in that video to be very helpful, and especially because I can see them as part of the piece that i want to play. I guess what you said about someone saying we should only practise techniques that are part of an actual pieces resonates most with me as the way I want to approach this.
Apologies for the lengthy comment. I mostly wanted to say that I agree with the spirit of this video and your take on using what seems right and proper for what you are doing and not being hung up on "the ONLY proper way"!
love playing classical guitar, yet Nails were the biggest challenge.. it was a daily issue with thin breaking nails running to the salon for an emergency nail fix.. after a few years, switched to acoustic guitar which didn’t seem to need the tonal techniques.. recently entering the jazz world and loving finger style on a hollow body. Seems lots of folks in this style create a hybrid approach which seems a useful way to go.
Thanks for covering another topic of my interests!
Sure thing! I'm glad this was of interest 🙂
Have you ever seen James Taylor's video "Nails 101"? I found this one late in life, but better late than never, right?
No I haven't seen it. I will check it out asap! Thanks for sharing! 🙏
Hi Jared,
Contrary to you, I began with classical guitar, from Carcassi to Villa-Lobos.
Then I switched to Bossa-nova and jazz.
To me, I passed from intrumentist to musician as I finally knew in witch key I played. 😅
For your projection issue, did you tried the classical "buté" technique ?
I'm unable to find anything about a "buté" technique. Can you share more?
Hi Christian. Thanks for the comment. I'm a big fan of all those too: Villa-Lobos, bossa-nova, and jazz. :) I haven't heard of the "buté" technique. Can you post a link?
@@soundguitar For example:
th-cam.com/video/qQULjVA1oAI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=dR-HbAhbrguM_bAW
@@MrJohnBurger-JB For example:
th-cam.com/video/qQULjVA1oAI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=dR-HbAhbrguM_bAW
@@soundguitar
For example:
th-cam.com/video/qQULjVA1oAI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=QpKe1o1vMeCK2Ysy
Thanks
Thanks so much! 🙏
I think one of the main cons of playing without nails is that the wrist posture that promotes the fingertip snap that you need to develop a good sound with the IMA fingers disadvantages the ergonomics of the thumb. This leaves the thumb as a clunky inarticulate appendage that tends to produce a dull, indistinct sound as the upper left-hand corner of the thumb's flesh strikes the strings. Understanding the distinction between a WARM tone and a DULL tone is crucial to playing without nails. My solution has been to superglue a 3mm thick strip of belt leather on the back of a Fred Kelly Speedpick. Being able to play the bass strings with a tab that projects from the side of the thumb provides a distinct, robust sound and lets me focus on getting a good snap with my IMA fingers. The leather backing gives a timbre that is consistent with that of the IMA fingertip flesh. The impression that the guitar sounds too quiet when played without nails is transformed when the instrument's bass response is full and distinct...without the need for "digging in."
Wow, what a creative solution! I appreciate hearing your observations on the sounds produced by different techniques. Hopefully some viewers get to soak this in too.
I envy the late Jeff Beck who, in his own words “wedded” himself to the Strat, played with his fingers. Period. But if you listen to his earlier recordings, you can tell how long a journey that was. I love playing jazz guitar with my fingers but I will never leave behind the plectrum entirely. It actually gives me extra means of expression. Ok, I have to switch techniques but that is not too high a price to pay. At least, I don’t have to wait three weeks for my pic to grow back 😂
Haha, good point! Thanks for the comment :)
i can get my nails down pretty short and still get the sound out of my nails but that also requires even more nail maintenance and it's a constant battle dealing with the differences in sound. however, I have tried without nails a couple times and I made the decision to keep them long ago. the sound is just different. also, I ONLY play classical so... there is also that
Yeah, there's definitely more room to experiment within one style. I'm glad you've settled on something that works for the most part though.
🎸 FREE Sheet Music & Tab: Guitar arrangements you can play by yourself! → bit.ly/2HdU0mV
are you going to do a video about how to shape nails for guitar?
Happy to do one. I'll add it to my list of videos to make. 👍 Thanks for the request.
1 I recall seeing a Segovia interview on TV. He said John Williams had perfect nails but if you don't... don't take up the classical guitar... Hmm a bit harsh eh?
2 I'm not a classical guitarist but I do suffer from terrible nails.
I play with whatever I have.. Often a mixture of broken and ok.
3 Over the years I tried folk guitarist John Pearce's solution.. He stuck on layers of tissue paper.. Doesn't look good and my patients (I'm a medic) would comment when I palpated or percussed!
4 Paul Simon has stuck on nails but my wife's nail lady says it's not a good idea to do this for long.. I do on occasion use superglue when one has broken badly but that's also to reduce the pain.
5 Are you aware of the table tennis ball trick... See John Renbourne or Clive Carroll! Bit extreme eh?
th-cam.com/video/6LS1_PnsEAc/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
6 I noticed some use a plastic thumb pic and their nails (Chet Atkins.. He would wear gloves to protect his nails I read)
His mate Mark Knopfler uses fingertips often btw.. Bought their joint CD.. Fabulous..
I'm sure you know www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chet-atkins-fingerpicking-country-guitar
7 I've tried a lacquer to toughen the nails.. Helps a bit.. Some say eat jelly cubes (ergh)..
8 I've tried some fingerpics but not seriously..
9 I'll be interested to hear your experience with the new ones.
Thanks for sharing! :)
Btw the comments after the ping pong linked Carroll demo are very useful too. Some comment on artifical nails softening theirs. Keeping cut toe nails to stuck on was perhaps too much information?
What about staying more flexible with options and playing with fingerpicks when desired or leaving them off? I’m using a brand of fingerpicks called Tiptonics and they work amazing. Then I take them off and play without them. Each way is a challenge and both are available anytime.
Funny you mention it! I have some Tiptonics on the way in the mail right now! I just heard about them recently and wanted to give them a try. I'll likely post a video on how it goes :) If they feel like nails then I'm right there with you. The other fingerpicks I use (Alaska Piks) didn't quite have the right nail feel, though I did use them for years in the way you've described. Thanks for the comment.
I can’t play with my nails because it completely freaks me out. Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl. 😬
Fair enough!