Finger Nails -- Left Hand

I like to keep my left hand nails super short. Before I really started to play aggressively, I could manage with them right up to the tips of my fingers -- but now that I'm looking for a louder and more distinct finger-style sound, they need to be really short. Many women get manicures -- but not me. It's just not worth it.

The irony, is that the act of playing makes your nails grow faster, so if you want to keep them this short, you have to pay attention to them every few days. If I let mine go too long, I will cut them -- but I prefer to file with a medium grit emery board. You aren't doing your strings or your neck any big favors when you clip -- as the edges are rough and scratchy. I always make sure to have an emery board in my case. You can find them in a four inch length. Buy a pack and stash one in your case, with your music, etc. I don't like metal files at all -- well, except as a weapon.

Since I like to play double-stops, I'm getting a good set of callouses on the sides of my index finger. If the callouses get nicked or start to flake, I file them with my emery board too.

You can always tell if a female is serious musician by looking at her left hand (well, nails in general for the guitar -- but especially the left hand). If I can see any white under the nails on the left, I know they are too long. Taking care of the right hand is a lot more involved, so that will come next...

Fingernails, Part 1

Here are the implements I use to take care of my nails. This subject is perhaps more significant for females than for males, since ladies are often expected to have manicured nails. As a musician, I find this is a big waste of time and money. However, it takes a bit of time every day to properly care for my nails. Now that I am finger picking, I do spend more time than I did back in the days when I was concentrating on flat picking. In the past, I played classical and that involved a good amount of nail-time too.

I mostly use the seven items I've pictured today. I don't always use all of them at once, but I find these are what work best. You'll notice there isn't a nail clipper -- I don't use them and will start off today telling you why. Since this is an involved topic, I'm spreading it out over a few posts.

First off, for the clippers... they may do a good quick job of keeping nails short, but they do nothing as far as strength goes. If you must, use them on your left hand -- but not your right (at least not if you are finger picking at all).

But what I use: a thick medium emery board, a nail buffing board, a computer tape head cleaner (that's chamois on the tip), a cuticle pusher/cutter, moisture cream, a heavy flat pick and a fine grade stone from Lake Ontario (you could buy a finishing stone, but ones from the lake are free...).

I'll end today with the first important concept of nails as it pertains to those clippers. Nails will look better and grow to be stronger if they are given daily stimulation in the form of light filing and buffing. This improves circulation, so the nails are better nourished. If you cut them, this makes them more brittle -- not only because of the stress on the nail, but because you aren't encouraging circulation. It also doesn't help you get a fine, smooth edge -- which means the nails are more likely to catch or snare. You also have better control of the nail shape with when you file and buff as opposed to clipping.

So, ditch the nail clippers and get some real supplies -- even if you're not a Girl With a Guitar!

Bigsby B50

I think this is what I'm getting for my birthday... which is Sunday. Rather than a new piece of jewelry, I've asked the man to buy me a tremolo. Of course, he wouldn't know how to do that, so I'm ordering it myself.

I am waiting for a call-back from some guy at Sweetwater, whom my guitar teacher Bobby Lebel (see his link at left) recommended.

I'm opting for this aluminum one because after all, why put something high-end on a low-end guitar? My electric is a knock-off Gibson (Epi Les Paul 100), so I don't need the real deal for this part either. I like the LP but have always wished it had a tremolo. Bobby suggested I have one put on -- which I'd never thought to do.

Tab Sheet

When it comes to playing anything other than classical, I use tab. I'm posting a blank page of the tablature template I use, which is broken down into measures. I'd much rather print my own than pay for it...

Restructuring

Yes, I've deleted all my old posts...

I've started with a new teacher, new style, totally reconstructing my playing so I'm starting a clean slate. It's been like messing with my golf swing. I really really sucked at it, but now feel like I am playing again.