Fingernail Problems

[KayGirl]

I've been trying to learn guitar for about 2 years now, and everytime I try I hopelessly give up because of my fingernails on my left hand. I've tried to teach myself and even gotten professional lessons, but I can't do anything because of my nails. There naturally long, so even when I cut them down to the point of bleeding, their still too long for me to position my hand correctly. :(

Is there anything I can do, caps or something, even hints as of how to hold my hand differently?

[scarface84]

maybe you should try one of those Girl Guitars (http://www.daisyrock.com/) or just keep practising, and you'll get callouses (or however you spell it) that will make it soooo much easier to play. good luck ;)

[Lordathestrings]

Trimming your nais back to the quick should leave plenty of room. No need for bloodshed! :eek:

If your fingernails are still getting in the way when you trim them back that far, there's something wrong with the way your positioning your hand. This may be a case where it's best to pay for a professional lesson. Something that is very hard to explain or diagnose through written posts can be cleared up in a few minutes in a one-on-one session with an instructor.

[KayGirl]

I had thought about the positioning too, cause the whole calouse bit is impossible, cause my skin doesn't even touch the strings, just the nail...hopefully I can find someone who knows what they're doing then, or maybe my hands are just really messed up...

[Lordathestrings]

... my skin doesn't even touch the strings, just the nail...
I think you're curling your fingers way too much. Your fingernail should be well away from the strings. Put your thumb and fingertip together so that it makes a good circle, not oval. Your fingertips should settle on the strings like that.

[KayGirl]

That seemed to help a bit, thanx a bunch. My speed is just really hard to hold on to with them though, so maybe I'll just up my practising and try it like this from scratch.

[extra_strong]

post a picture of your fingers let us decide.

[hunter1801]

post a picture of your fingers let us decide.
.....and thats asking in a non creepy way. Strictly research purposes right :rolleyes:

[extra_strong]

.....and thats asking in a non creepy way. Strictly research purposes right :rolleyes:

creepy? are you saying people can get off my looking at fingers?

Just wanna see what she is talking about. Maybe i can say mine are the same.
or holy crap. WoW!! that is strange yep there is no way you can play.

:D

[$h00ter]

creepy? are you saying people can get off my looking at fingers?

Just wanna see what she is talking about. Maybe i can say mine are the same.
or holy crap. WoW!! that is strange yep there is no way you can play.

:D

hey extra if your fingers are the same i think i'll be getting worried. her fingers on your hands YUK

[extra_strong]

If her fingers were on my hands ... she would have a big smile of happiness :D

[Lordathestrings]

Gentlemen, (I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt here), please try to keep your replies useful.

[Leedogg]

I'm trying to imagine cut fingernails that still protrude from the finger... I imagine too much curling as well..