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| Posted: Sun Nov 23rd, 2008 04:32 pm |
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1st Post |
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hdxtheo Approved
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hi, everyone who's interested in clawhammer style: after 3-yr-training of clawhammer, i found my middle finger could not produce louder sound w/ a relatively soft fingernail. thru careful comparison, the one i've been using is softer than others. i'm not sure if there r long-term frictions between my nail & the strings, which might make my nail thinner. have u guys ever experienced such kind of situation? on account of my uncertainty, i made a metal pick of tin can top instead of ping-pong ball shell as instructed in Banjo Brad website in hoping that it can help release my anxious concern. as a matter of fact, it doesn't sound as good as one's nail does.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23rd, 2008 09:18 pm |
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2nd Post |
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Neal Approved 
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Get some "hard as nails" or the like from the cosmetic counter. Be diligent on applying it to that finger per directions on the bottle. Unless you are willing to undergo the learning curve of pasting a pingpong ball cut to your finger, or in your case, metal, don't do that. In my view, the fingers/nails have a tactile function that you can not duplicate with plastic/metal without serious practice time. Even thumbpicks, I used one for about a year on the guitar, it worked well, but I lost something with them and went back to flesh.
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.youtube.com/nealpaisley http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24th, 2008 02:53 am |
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3rd Post |
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hdxtheo Approved
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Neal, you're always the first instructor who helps me out with some problems. Thanks a lot for your suggestion. I'll try to find out what the 'hard as nails' is like. Please forgive my ignorance: what you mean " learning curve of pasting ( paste + ing ) a pingpong ball cut"? BTW, according to your description, I guess you may have realized the possibility that the friction may cause the fingernail to get thinner as time goes by?
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24th, 2008 11:05 am |
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4th Post |
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Neal Approved
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I think fingernails rebuild, but if you have thin ones to begin with, it doesn't help. I was referring to the time it takes to get use to something foreign being attached to one's fingers. Some manage it well, I am one of those that does not. What you're looking for is a liquid covering for nails that will protect and dry hard, bunch of stuff like that at the cosmetic counter.
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.youtube.com/nealpaisley http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24th, 2008 02:59 pm |
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5th Post |
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Jim Yates Approved 
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My nails are very thin and do not bond well to the nail bed because of a form of psoriasis. I have taken to using acrylic nails, applied at the local nail salon. I have them on my index, "bird" and ring fingers and they seem to work quite well. I use only my "bird" finger for clawhammer, but use the other two for some guitar styles. I have used Sally Hanson's Hard As Nails suggested by Neal, and though it doesn't work for me, I think it would be fine for someone with healthy nails.
____________________ Jim http://www.myspace.com/jimyates http://www.myspace.com/mapleleafchampionjugband |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24th, 2008 10:42 pm |
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6th Post |
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Neal Approved
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Now that's another idea, acrylic nails. I know of some uke players that use them with good results, Jim being one more. Good call JIm.
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.youtube.com/nealpaisley http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25th, 2008 01:43 am |
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7th Post |
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hdxtheo Approved
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Very glad to read your messages. I got the liquid named as "hard as nail". According to what the salesperson said, the liquid is pretty much like nail polishing. Now, I doubt if it can meet the requirements: 1. After applying it to the nail, will the repetitive strokes contacting the strings day after day, affect its firm adhesion on the nail--possibly being peeled off or scratched away? 2. From some medical reports, if one's fingernails are often covered by nail-polishing, they will become inactive, prone to fungus nail because of lacking normal contact with fresh air. Is this true to the issue we're talking about here? Your ideas will be appreciated.
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25th, 2008 02:26 am |
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8th Post |
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allinfun Approved
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My nails are paper thin and tear easily, they always have and as a result after the first year of misery I went to the local nail salon where the owner plays guitar as well. She gave me some good info and now it's been numerous years of acrylics with occasional times when the nail is not covered with acrylics. 1. With a smidge of care you don't get fungus infections etc. A good salon will provide you a personal care kit for your sessions of your own files. Keep your hands clean and dry. A good salon will also clean nails and fingertips with anti-bacterial before beginning a session. 2. There are 3 ways to get your nails reinforced: acrylic, gel, silk wrapped. Acrylics are quite hard and that's what I ended up using after trying Gels and Silks. Gels are fine for thicker nails than mine, as the gel is slightly more flexible than acrylic and that on a thin nail can lead to lifting on the sides. Silk wrapped are popular too, but I'm not nearly as patient and I don't like shiny clear polish on my nails. 3. copious use of moisturizers on the hands can also lead to the nail lifting on the edges, but resist the urge to try and pick them off as it tears up the existing nail. 4. You will need regular "fills" which are cheaper than the first set. They will go in thin out the top of the acrylic/gell, then back fill in where the nail has grown from the nail bed and blend into the old acrylic/gel nail. 5. If you eat with your fingers alot you are more prone to fungal infections under a nail that the acrylic/gel has lifted from. The bacteria and food settle under the nail and made a great little cafeteria for fungus to live on. So if you eat with your hands be sure to wash and dry well after eating. Scraping the acrylic against a string is a no biggie, I've never gotten it thin enough to cause a nail to tear off. Most of the time my nail polish is still on after a week of playing. 
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25th, 2008 10:52 am |
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9th Post |
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Neal Approved
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What allinfun said, plus- yes, you may have to reapply it often. It does wear away. I've never had a fungus infection, I apply it to my index and middle finger, as these are the problem nails. I usually need to do it in the winter for some reason the nails take a beating then. Women seem to do this all the time to good results. I don't see why us guys can't. Just don't use red, it's too sissy. I use blue, that's manly  .
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.youtube.com/nealpaisley http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25th, 2008 02:27 pm |
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10th Post |
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allinfun Approved
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Good news for VERY manly men, you can have the acrylic or gels done and finished natural. Just ask for a gel/natural topcoat and put hands under the UV lights for 3 minutes. And, as you do it more often you and your nail tech will figure out the best shape, thickness, and technique for finishing the tips for your needs. Just keep with the same tech and she/he will get used to your needs. Glitter, rhinestones, color, and airbrushed artwork of your instruments are optional. And dont worry about the "guy" in a nail salon thing, as it's becoming popular. In the Navy manly-man town I live last wednesday I saw 3 men (2 older, one 30ish) getting pedicures, and 4 on the list were getting manis. Taking care of your hands and feet is a good thing. Last edited on Tue Nov 25th, 2008 02:29 pm by allinfun |
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25th, 2008 04:05 pm |
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11th Post |
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hdxtheo Approved
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It's really interesting to read your ideas/experiences. I would have a try & let you know what I may experience in the future. However, it seems too luxurious or extravagant for me to ask for help from a nail tech. There is a big gap between us: You are good musicians, & I'm only a pre-school student. So long as what you suggested won't lead to fungal infection, I'd like to figure out if 'hard as nail' is suitable for me. In case something unsatisfactory comes about, I'd go back to where I was---hitting the strings with my ugly pick made of thin iron sheet of a food can. I do know the result won't be ideal, but there is no help for it. During the recession of............, as a low level student, I can't afford to..............
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25th, 2008 05:51 pm |
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12th Post |
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Will Approved 
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hdxtheo wrote: It's really interesting to read your ideas/experiences. I would have a try & let you know what I may experience in the future. I don't use my nails at all when I play stringed instruments, although I did initially when I started playing autoharp before I switched to a thumbpick. For ukulele, I usually use just my thumb. If I need extra volume, I wear a Herco thumb-flatpick, which I use to play guitar, mandolin, and others. I find it easier to play with than a traditional flatpick. 
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25th, 2008 08:07 pm |
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13th Post |
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hdxtheo Approved
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Will, Do you imply you only use thumb to play clawhammer style? If so, it may not look identical with what our instructor Richard has depicted---a motion like using a clawhammer, though I think the final results may sound same (but I'm not so sure): the bum-ditty rhythm is completed by the thumb. It's my personal idea unnecessarily reflecting the reality!
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25th, 2008 08:59 pm |
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14th Post |
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Will Approved
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hdxtheo wrote: Will, No, I can't play clawhammer or bluegrass - in fact, I don't play the 5-string banjo - I play a 4-string banjo (which has no drone string) tuned DGBE (Chicago tuning) or CGDA (tenor banjo), which is a completely different style of banjo playing that uses a flatpick. 
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26th, 2008 03:00 pm |
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15th Post |
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Jim Yates Approved
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hdxtheo said,"However, it seems too luxurious or extravagant for me to ask for help from a nail tech. " For 2 or 3 nails with no fancy polish, this is not an expensive, complicated process. It costs me 3 or four dollars(Cdn) to have three nails done and sometimes, when I have just a fill done, the good folks at Lily's Nails in Port Hope don't even charge me. It takes about 15 minutes.
____________________ Jim http://www.myspace.com/jimyates http://www.myspace.com/mapleleafchampionjugband |
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26th, 2008 03:57 pm |
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16th Post |
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hdxtheo Approved
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Wow, so nice of you guys to tell me something that enlightens me a lot. Playing clawhammer style with one's own nail is really enjoyable. Facing a dilemma of making choice of nail-protection or listenable result (maybe both of them can be obtained in parallel), I'd rather prefer, due to my low cognitive level, the principle of "All is well that ends well" & self-satisfaction over something that might be beyond my imagination or ability despite the fact that they will turn out to be very helpful to me. A lot of thanks for your advice & help.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 17th, 2008 12:35 am |
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17th Post |
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hdxtheo Approved
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Hi, Neal: I promised to let you know what I experienced after purchasing the 'hard as nail'. I carefully painted it to my middle fingernail three layers with 2 long intervals among the 3 paintings. Before I could find out whether it really made my nail hard, they were all torn out by my clawhammer strokes. I guess I haven't handled/mastered the key knack of using it yet. Do you have any suggestions? Do you think the strong friction may prevent it from sticking long on the nail? Your comment is appreciated.
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| Posted: Thu Dec 18th, 2008 06:28 pm |
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18th Post |
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melodeonmark Approved 
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I had problems with my fingernail splitting as I play strumming the neck and my fingernail hits the brass frets. I liked the percussive sound of this style but needed to strengthen my fingernail. I use ordinary nail hardener which I pinch from the mrs and remove it once a week with nail varnish remover on a cotton bud and then re-apply 3 coats. I've had no further problems, it could also be worth looking if you have enough calcium in your diet which is good for fingernails - surprisingly jelly babies are full of calcium! Mark 
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| Posted: Thu Dec 18th, 2008 10:52 pm |
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19th Post |
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hdxtheo Approved
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Hi, Mark: Thanks a lot for your info. It seems to me that your nail hardener is different from my "hard as nail". Mine is something like nail-polishing, but yours appears to be something like a "tooth-paste". Besides, after 3 coats, nothing at all remained due to consecutive strokes on the strings; yours actually need to be removed by using remover. Incredible! Could you please tell me the name of your nail hardener?
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| Posted: Fri Dec 19th, 2008 01:47 am |
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20th Post |
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mcep11 Approved 
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When I was playing autoharp a lot more I started using a trick I originally heard in an interview with Bruce Cockburn maybe... whew... 25 years ago? Ack. Anyway, a little bead of Super Glue just alone the edge of the nail has always helped (a lot) to keep my nails from splitting and then tearing off. You do have to be careful not to glue your nail to your finger. It could be they didn't have nail hardeners back then, so maybe I'll try these new fangled chemicals. hiho
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