Clicky

Fingernail Problems


KayGirl
Registered User
Joined: 11/21/05
Posts: 3
KayGirl
Registered User
Joined: 11/21/05
Posts: 3
11/21/2005 1:12 am
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?
# 1
scarface84
Registered User
Joined: 05/18/05
Posts: 242
scarface84
Registered User
Joined: 05/18/05
Posts: 242
11/21/2005 2:15 am
maybe you should try one of those Girl Guitars 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 ;)
# 2
Lordathestrings
Gear Guru
Joined: 01/18/01
Posts: 6,242
Lordathestrings
Gear Guru
Joined: 01/18/01
Posts: 6,242
11/21/2005 7:21 am
[font=trebuchet ms]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.[/font]
Lordathestrings
Guitar Tricks Moderator

www.GuitarTricks.com - Home of Online Guitar Lessons
# 3
KayGirl
Registered User
Joined: 11/21/05
Posts: 3
KayGirl
Registered User
Joined: 11/21/05
Posts: 3
11/25/2005 3:41 am
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...
# 4
Lordathestrings
Gear Guru
Joined: 01/18/01
Posts: 6,242
Lordathestrings
Gear Guru
Joined: 01/18/01
Posts: 6,242
11/25/2005 6:42 am
Originally Posted by: KayGirl... my skin doesn't even touch the strings, just the nail...

[font=trebuchet ms]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.[/font]
Lordathestrings
Guitar Tricks Moderator

www.GuitarTricks.com - Home of Online Guitar Lessons
# 5
KayGirl
Registered User
Joined: 11/21/05
Posts: 3
KayGirl
Registered User
Joined: 11/21/05
Posts: 3
11/26/2005 7:36 pm
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.
# 6
extra_strong
Registered User
Joined: 06/27/05
Posts: 66
extra_strong
Registered User
Joined: 06/27/05
Posts: 66
11/29/2005 4:52 am
post a picture of your fingers let us decide.
# 7
hunter1801
Registered User
Joined: 01/27/05
Posts: 1,331
hunter1801
Registered User
Joined: 01/27/05
Posts: 1,331
11/30/2005 5:29 am
Originally Posted by: extra_strongpost a picture of your fingers let us decide.

.....and thats asking in a non creepy way. Strictly research purposes right :rolleyes:
# 8
extra_strong
Registered User
Joined: 06/27/05
Posts: 66
extra_strong
Registered User
Joined: 06/27/05
Posts: 66
11/30/2005 7:39 am
Originally Posted by: hunter1801.....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
# 9
$h00ter
Registered User
Joined: 11/29/05
Posts: 5
$h00ter
Registered User
Joined: 11/29/05
Posts: 5
11/30/2005 9:26 pm
Originally Posted by: extra_strongcreepy? 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
# 10
extra_strong
Registered User
Joined: 06/27/05
Posts: 66
extra_strong
Registered User
Joined: 06/27/05
Posts: 66
12/01/2005 2:49 am
If her fingers were on my hands ... she would have a big smile of happiness :D
# 11
Lordathestrings
Gear Guru
Joined: 01/18/01
Posts: 6,242
Lordathestrings
Gear Guru
Joined: 01/18/01
Posts: 6,242
12/01/2005 3:33 am
[font=trebuchet ms]Gentlemen, (I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt here), please try to keep your replies useful.[/font]
Lordathestrings
Guitar Tricks Moderator

www.GuitarTricks.com - Home of Online Guitar Lessons
# 12
Leedogg
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: 02/07/02
Posts: 2,809
Leedogg
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: 02/07/02
Posts: 2,809
12/01/2005 10:46 pm
I'm trying to imagine cut fingernails that still protrude from the finger... I imagine too much curling as well..
Blues is easy to play, but hard to feel.
My YouTube Profile
# 13

Please register with a free account to post on the forum.