Nails vs. Flesh for playing Fingerstyle Guitar

Nails vs. Flesh for playing Fingerstyle Guitar

by | Mar 24, 2023 | Fingerstyle | 0 comments

One of the most common questions that arise when discussing fingerstyle is if you should use nails or flesh when playing. 

Nails require you to either grow out your fingernail or apply acrylics whereas flesh doesn’t require any additional maintenance except for cutting the nails.

You may be asking, what are the main differences and advantages/disadvantages between the two?

Nails

Right off the bat, nails are going to provide a brighter tone due to the material that is striking through the string. With proper shaping and filing technique the nails could provide a warmer tone. This requires several adjustments with the filing of the nail in order for the nail to come out just right for your specific right hand technique. There are many different angles & approaches but all have the same principle.

This picture demonstrates a good nail length and shaping to start with:

Flesh

This route is the most common to start with, as it doesn’t require any additional work in order to play fingerpicking guitar. If we forget the nails and disregard any artificial product we use our flesh to fingerpick. The flesh provides a much warmer tone and less volume as well as dynamic range since it’s not likely to project as well as nails. 

 

Here is a video on nail shaping I recommend:

Deciding on your nails or flesh is based on your personal taste and the sound that you’re trying to achieve. If you were a fingerstyle player or classical guitar player it is recommended that you at least try the nails and see if they’re a good fit for you. If you have brittle nails, there are hardening products and vitamins that can help to be able to strengthen them.


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Guitar Fingerstyle Patterns

Guitar Fingerstyle Patterns

Fingerstyle guitar involves plucking the strings with your fingertips or fingernails, allowing you to play melodies, chords, and basslines simultaneously. Fingerstyle patterns come in a variety of styles, from classical to folk to contemporary, and can add depth and richness to your playing.

To get started with guitar fingerstyle patterns, it’s essential to develop proper fingerpicking technique. Start by placing your thumb on the lower strings and your fingers on the higher strings, and practice alternating between them to create a steady rhythm. Focus on maintaining a relaxed hand and wrist, and experiment with different finger combinations to find what works best for you.

Once you’ve mastered the basics of fingerpicking technique, start exploring different fingerstyle patterns and exercises. Begin with simple patterns like Travis picking or arpeggios, and gradually increase the complexity as you become more comfortable. Experiment with incorporating basslines, melodies, and chord embellishments into your fingerstyle playing to add depth and texture to your sound.

In addition to practicing fingerstyle patterns on your own, try learning songs and arrangements by your favorite fingerstyle guitarists. This will help you develop an ear for recognizing different patterns and techniques in music and inspire you to incorporate them into your own playing.

In conclusion, mastering guitar fingerstyle patterns is a rewarding journey that can greatly enhance your playing and musical creativity. By exploring different patterns and techniques, you can create music that is expressive, dynamic, and truly captivating. So grab your guitar and start experimenting with fingerstyle patterns today!

Guitar Capo Techniques

Guitar Capo Techniques

Whether you’re a beginner eager to expand your repertoire or an advanced player looking to add depth and dimension to your playing, mastering capo techniques can open up a whole new universe of possibilities on the fretboard.

A capo is a small device that clamps onto the neck of the guitar, effectively raising the pitch of the strings. This allows you to play open chords and scales in different keys without having to change your fingerings. Capos are commonly used in various styles of music, from folk and pop to country and beyond.

One of the main advantages of using a capo is its ability to transpose chords and melodies to different keys on the fly. This makes it easier to play songs in keys that are more comfortable for singing or to match the key of another instrument.

To get started with guitar capo techniques, simply place the capo on the desired fret of the guitar and tune the strings as usual. Experiment with playing open chords, barre chords, and scales in different keys using the capo to see how it affects the sound and feel of the music.

Once you’re comfortable with the basics of using a capo, challenge yourself to explore different chord voicings, melodies, and improvisations on the fretboard. Since capos allow you to play in a wide range of keys with the same fingerings, don’t be afraid to experiment with unconventional chord progressions and melodic ideas.

In addition to experimenting with capo techniques on your own, try listening to recordings of guitarists who use capos creatively in their playing. This will help you develop an ear for recognizing capo techniques in music and inspire you to incorporate them into your own playing.

In conclusion, mastering guitar capo techniques is a valuable skill that can greatly enhance your playing and musical creativity. By exploring the endless possibilities of capo techniques, you can create music that’s unique, expressive, and truly captivating. So grab your guitar and start exploring the world of capo techniques today!

Guitar Drop Tunings

Guitar Drop Tunings

Today, we’re going to explore this versatile tuning technique that has been embraced by guitarists across various genres, from rock and metal to alternative and beyond.

Drop tunings involve lowering the pitch of one or more strings to create a deeper, heavier sound. The most common drop tuning is Drop D (DADGBE), where the low E string is tuned down a whole step to D. Other popular drop tunings include Drop C (CGCFAD) and Drop B (BF#BEG#C#).

One of the main advantages of drop tunings is the ease of playing power chords and barre chords, as the lower tuning allows for wider intervals between the strings. This creates a heavier, more aggressive sound that’s perfect for riff-based music and heavy rhythm playing.

To get started with guitar drop tunings, simply tune your guitar to the desired tuning using a tuner or by ear. Experiment with playing power chords, barre chords, and open chords in the drop tuning to get a feel for the different sounds and possibilities it offers.

Once you’re comfortable with the basics of drop tunings, challenge yourself to explore different chord voicings, melodies, and improvisations on the fretboard. Since drop tunings create unique harmonic possibilities, don’t be afraid to experiment with unconventional chord progressions and melodic ideas.

In addition to experimenting with drop tunings on your own, try listening to recordings of guitarists who use drop tunings creatively in their playing. This will help you develop an ear for recognizing drop tunings in music and inspire you to incorporate them into your own playing.

In conclusion, mastering guitar drop tunings is a rewarding journey that can greatly expand your sonic palette and musical creativity. By exploring the heavy, aggressive sound of drop tunings, you can create music that’s bold, powerful, and truly captivating. So grab your guitar and start exploring the world of drop tunings today!

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