In this video, I'm comparing picking classical guitar with nails vs picking without nails. I'll show you the differences in how the strings sound and feel.
If you're thinking about playing classical guitar, it's important to understand the different picking techniques available. Maybe this video will help you decide which one is best for you, based on your playing style and tonal preferences.
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I personally liked very much without the nails that produces a more natural and warm sound, however we sacrifice color....
A little tip. Pascal Rosche wrote in a nutshell that one should focus with a strong ring finger as it tends to be the slacker without nails. Try looking up McKellop and his work, or Sor's lessons/method.
I have always wanted to jump into Classical Guitar, but never found a teacher plus I always destroyed my nails with manual labor. Now my pinky nail has been having growth issues, so I guess I'll just have to be a no nails player. 😅
Your song played without nails was beautiful. I switched to playing with no nails for the softer sound.
I prefer without nails, the sound is immaterial. But you play very well with nails, also.
No nails sounds so much more beautiful and has a lovely warmth to it. It's much more emotional playing.
No nails for me. I'm impressed that you had no trouble playing Recuerdo without your nails. Bravo.
I think I prefer the tone of no-nails, it's just very warm, cozy, and organic. I imagine it takes some getting used to.
very interesting, thanks! I'm very surprised to hear how many people enjoyed the no nail tone more!
@@beatrixguitar I know nothing, but in my ignorant opinion, with nails, you hear the bright attack more, with a much quicker drop off in volume. Without nails, you get more of the string tone, because, lacking the bright attack of the nails, a guitarist probably uses more force to get the same volume...resulting in a fuller tone and more sustain? Dunno.
I was told that you should be using a little nail and a little of the flesh of the finger to create a fat, warm sound.
Yes, it feels so "intimate"!! Especially on slower pieces, like Tárrega. On faster ones and for chords it's worse though.
I think you are spot on here!@@nathanalexander5772
i think the sound of nylon strings sounds better without nails, soft warm and wonderful. Either way your playing is lovely.
Much better with no nails = lovely playing = Thank you ❤🎸
My preference is "no nails"... softer, warmer, but I understand your preference as well, especially after so many years. Well done.
Over the years, I've tried both ways to some level of satisfaction and disappointment with both. Finally, I now try to keep my playing nails at only a few mm (2 or 3mm max) in length beyond my fingertips. This has several advantages: 1.) They are stronger now, than when they were longer. 2.) They don't break or chip as often. I don't coat my nails in any way, just natural growth. And, I save a lot of money on Crazy Glue! 3.) I very much enjoy the tactile control I achieve when I plant my fingertip before I pluck the string. My fingers feel "more intelligent". Thank you Beatrix.
Long time ago I had a instructional book by Segovia. That was his suggestion and to just follow the fingertip shape.
I liked the sound without the fingernails, I really love it. Much softer, a bit vague, but so sentimental. Many thanks for the experience.
The tone of no nails just your fingertips is just beautiful, and as most guitarists play with "nails " it gives you a different approach and uniqueness.
I already started to play without nails , You gave me motivation to continue without them,
glad to hear that! rock on!
i actually used to play with nails then i heard that Fransisco Tarrega my favorite composer used to play without nails so i cut them off at first it was really hard at first then i got used to it now i prefer it more than nails. Very good and high quality content btw
I have very short nails now and I kinda like it, feel like a good compromise. Thanks for your comment!
@@beatrixguitar i am guitar newbie, and also have short nails, but long enough to use them(about 3 mm). So, i use finger + nail. Too long nails is not handy for me. Sound extracted without nail is too silent and not bright. It is good for bass strings(they are more louder and easier to extract sound without nail, and sound much better when you extract sound from them without nail), but it is totally not good for other strings.
THE BEST PART IS NOW YOU DON'T NEED TO CARE ABOUT KEEP THE NAILS HEALTHY AND BEING IN GOOD SHAPES ANYMORE :D THE REASON I SWITCH TO NO NAILS IS MY NAILS ARE WEAK AND ALWAYS BROKE.
I think eating food like spinach and bok choy can help because they contain iron and calcium which both help strengthen your nails.
I enjoyed both. However I found no nails warmer, not as sharp. Different quality altogether. A bit more soothing.
My 50 years old dilemma! Studied classical with nails and then went to the lute without nails, leaving the classical guitar because I coudn't adapt. Then I played arch and baroque lute with nails again. When I became a 'pro' I switched to fingerpicking and electric with a pick. Even used nails while fingerpicking! I guess my nails are very strong. Now I'm retired and still only doing classical. I use nails but keep them very very short and use my r-thumb without nail, that sounds so sweetly. And ... having them short is very handy as a handyman.
It's always a trade off between warmth vs clarity (and volume). Even our preference for spruce vs cedar boils down to the same general preference.
Thank you ! You inspire people ! Your the Best
Just found your channel. I could watch you play for hours!! Such a thing of beauty!! I’m new to classical guitar (3 yrs.), but I also play classical piano for which I’ve been playing for over 30 yrs. I’ve struggled with playing guitar because with my nails I’m not able to effectively play the piano anymore. I love both but due to the nail thing I’ve been forced to choose. After listening to you play I might have to cut my nails so I can enjoy both. I look forward to listening to all of your content!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful music!!!
superb video, liked the details and in-depth explanation and clarity of thoughts. Amazing.
right? quality plink plonk
Ooooh, masterful demos of the tradecraft which sound so alluring and luv your informative notes about it. Bless!
oh thank you, glad you like it!
Both sound great!
Very informative and helped me to keep going with no nail as due to my work, I cannot grow long nails. Thanks for your help
Beautiful with all the details of the idea itself as well as your beauty. .
Hi Beatrix. Thanks for an interesting demo. I think you're on the right track by taking the middle path. If my nails are too long, they can get in the way. Too short, and I don't have quite as many options with tone. But what I'm most interested in is your use of gels. I suffered from decades with fragile, brittle nails. A week wouldn't go by without at least one nail being out of action. My nails would shatter like glass or tear like brittle plastic. Having endured one tissy fit too many over a broken nail, my wife sent me to her nail lady and had them done with acrylic, covered with a layer of gel on top to add strength and avoid yellowing from the sun. The results were awesome. My nails became a reliable tool for producing a very nice, consistent tone. The only thing I didn't like was that the nails seemed too thick and tended to make a slight scraping sound when I played. I then heard about taking biotin to strengthen the nails. I put myself on two Biotin tabs a day for about 3 months before taking the gels off the finger nails but leaving the thumb with gel (the thumb's natural nail was too narrow and didn't meet with the string properly without help from the gel). I also began applying Working Hands lotion to my nails morning and night to keep them hydrated. I'm now very happy with the strength and tone of the finger nails without gels. The thinner, natural nail produces a much more refined, pure sound and gives me much more flexibility with regard to tone. I wish I'd figured this out many years ago. May your journey come to a more satisfying solution without the decades of frustration I suffered. You're obviously an excellent classical guitarist!
I love your new sound, it’s darker and fuller! 👍👍👍👍👍
Beautiful!
I recently found your channel and I have enjoyed it a lot. I play guitar but not classical. I am not much of a finger player however I really enjoy this experiment because I currently trying to use my hands more. I believe the sound of the short nails had more “bass tone” sound yet clear. I like it. I definitely understand why the nails are so important to classical guitar. I really enjoy watching this video. Thanks.
Congrats!
Beautiful playing ❤
Thank you very much!
i love your playing thank you
You nailed it 😁😁😁
I've played without nails for as long as I've done classical, and yes, you'll definitely improve your technique if you keep at it; you'll also develop calluses that will make the tone more consistent. I wouldn't fret about it! For a great example of non-nail guitar tone, I'd check out John Schneiderman playing Coste.
thanks for the recomendation!
"I wouldn't fret about it." Now that's some quality wordplay.
Right on the money I love the feel of the strings on my fingers I have more control and you build up calluses, and the sound has much more resonance like nails. Though I haven't pick up my guitar in well over 30 years. I just started back this week. Now relearning again will be the chore.
Maestro Sor and maestro Tarrega did it, so can everybody. ;) I'm also a no-nails guitarist and the calluses actually can be irritating.
@@obi_anyaibe 😂 I was thinking the same thing! An unintended pun! Delightful! 😆
I agree with what you said about enjoying the contact with the strings. There may be some compromise with the brightness (especially of chords) when playing without nails, but for me it is more than rewarded with an improved sensuality of connection to the strings. Beautifully done, thank you for this video.
Your playing is wonderful throughout, but to me the sound with nails was much better. The notes had more articulation and the tone was more even. The difference was especially apparent on the Recuerdos piece -- and by the way, your tremolo is so beautiful! Wow. I think your idea about playing with shorter nails makes a lot of sense. For me I play with all kinds of nail lengths and I've found that I can get results with anything as long as there is some amount of nail, even just a couple mm. Great stuff and I enjoy your videos :)
i’ve played classical guitar since 15, i’m now 60 and from 35 years old i also started playing piano. having nails holds me back playing piano but i love having long nails for guitar.
I really thought the fast stuff was gonna trip you up more than it did. Great job
Thanks, I was surprised too, I think the tremolo was the shitty one. But the thing is when I played I felt like it was a mess, but then I heard while I was editing and thought wait this is not that bad at all 😃 And I did like the sound too though headphones, so I guess the real life experience was more dramatic
Ive never heard anyone play guitar like you... simply amazing
So lovely🎉 I began playing no nails because my nails a very thin. Continued because it sounds wonderful.
Another thing to remember. All the original composers/players, that liked 'no nails', all played on gut strings (not nylon). And prefered playing in a more intimate setting (smaller rooms). That might also have something to do with it. Today, power and volume are popular
Absolutely right. Sor used to play on a Lacote with gut strings in a lounge. Same thing as regards Tàrrega on his Torres. Playing with nails came with Segovia and nylon strings. But today, microphones and amplifiers are much better, so there is no need, according to me, to sacrifice the sound with nails to get a little bit more of acoustic volume… But that’s a personal choice.
When using Gut strings never use nails unless you want to spend a fortune on new strings. Good gut strings are not cheep.
Rob Mackillop plays without nails and gets a stunning tone. I've been playing without nails ever since i saw him do it, but I'm also just a hobbyist, so it isn't a big deal either way
I was about to mention it too..indeed Rob has some incredible tone especially on gut strings in some of his videos
Hello Beatrix, thanks for this fascinating video and for all your hard work. I actually really liked your no nail performances. Maybe my imagination but I felt that your tone was warmer and more intimate. Anyway you sound fantastic with or without nails. Thanks again for your inspiring videos. Best wishes, David.
Thank you David, good to hear how many people likes the no nail tone!
Totally agree! 😊
I am impressed how readily you were able to even play the notes at speed. The difference in length and position of the finger "tip" is a lot to compensate for that quickly. That being said, your skills and technique have been developed with nails and are exquisitely refined. And I agree you have many more tonal and expressive options with them. However, with no nails the tone is warm and clear, though perhaps not as wide a range. Thanks for this demonstration.
I must admit that I am torn between ‘nails’ and ‘no nails’. You played beautifully! I’ll need to listen a few more times.
I haven't watched the video yet (working now, keeping it in an open tab), but I came here to say I've just listened to your album - it's very fine
You play nicely. I have owned some classical guitars, but mostly have played steel string acoustic. But I really like playing on a classical because they sound so mellow and warm.
This was a very interesting experiment. I started using shorter nails and on my last KZhead video, someone complimented the tone. I thought maybe it was because I used a new mic but now, I'm not so sure. At my level of ability, it was probably just lucky. I always enjoy your videos. Cheers, Will.
that's very interesting! I also hear people saying how well the no nail performance sounds, shocking, hahah
I like such an honest video. Beautiful, beautiful :- )
Hi Beatrix, thanks for sharing this. As a male player who has always struggled to grow long nails, due to weak and flatter nails, this is very interesting. Your sound with less nail, was lovely and I preferred it over the “all nail” sound. For me, the best result is produced by some flesh and finished with a smooth nail edge, however short. By the look of it, you nails were still in contact with the strings at the end of the stroke. It will be interesting to hear update.
Thanks for this! I started playing without nails about a year ago. What I have found is that the right hand needs to be in a slightly different position, just a little bit more under the string rather than gliding across the string that I did with nails. I find it a much more pleasant way to play since I have more contact with the string. If I recall correctly, Tarrega spent some months in perfecting his no-nails technique, so id does take time!
Yes, many no nail players play from under the string - including me. I mainly got the technique from Rob Mackillop and his beautiful tone. However there are no nail players who seem to obtain a fine sound from using a position more like a nail player - see Steve Watson's channel.
yeah I also felt like my normal technique is not helping me here, I couldn't play as accurately as usually and I felt like I naturally rotate my hand a little bit to play from under a bit, but it wasn't too concious... I just wonder if it's possible to play really fast while picking from under
Fernando Sor recommended for the best tone pushing the string and then plucking it as far as I remember. ;) He even made a diagram of that. But in general the challenge with no-nails technique comes when you try tremolo - it needs a different approach than typical no-nails plucking.
It is a challenge going from one extreme to another in a single video. I like your idea of finding a middle ground and working with that for awhile. I don't play classical and certainly not at your level, but do play a nylon flamenco guitar a lot and my nails are in various lengths as I play over the course of a year. I am not particular with them. However, in this particular video, I def heard better string articulation with your nails than without. Perhaps that could be improved with practice with shorter nails, it is hard to say. For sure Recuerdos seemed like the starkest difference between the two. Look forward to more future videos (YT recommended this one as I was looking at flamenco guitar reviews :) Yeah, algorithm!).
it's important to remember that the sound which come from the guitar out is not the same that we ear in videos or audio recordings
Your tone is GODLY
Hello, I'm not a classical guitarist player. I do know sounds. I understand connection. Being connected to the strings as you pointed out brings one closer to the instrument and the feel of the tones. Enjoy your journey. Have a blessed day
I studied classical guitar and have been playing and performing for over 15 years. I used to play with no nail and for a few years I went back and forth but with nails is definitely my favorite. I have so much more diversity of sound tamber and dynamics. I’ve noticed many classical guitarist posting how they are going nail-less. I think it has a beautiful sound, but I don’t think everybody could pull it off. my fingers, even after a while of playing, could not get the sound, I desired or dynamics. It is a beautiful, flashy sound but my taste nails are better for me. I am very familiar with the history of guitar since I love reading about it and had to study it at University and yes, originally it was played without nail. Wonderful video. Love your work.
I've been playing my classical, dreadnought and even electric guitars without long nails or pick for last 23 years. It took a couple of years to get some power and accuracy. It does open up your playing by mixing in fingerstyle. Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday.
This reminded me of Rob MacKillop who honestly gave me the courage of leaving nails behind (opening the doors to Bass, Keys...). What he says is that it takes a while for it to sound good. He also has a series of tips regarding how to approach this (he is an authority on Lutes and an established classical guitarist who plays without nails, among other things, maybe you guys could collab and make some interesting videos? Hopefully this will be a useful reference,. Glad to have found your channel, the more I explore the more I like what I see. The world needs smart and driven artists who're willing to push beyond their zone of comfort. Hopefully this experiment will open many doors otherwise not even considered.
i used to play classical guitar and i thought i couldn't anymore, because i have switched completely to harp so i keep my nails trimmed short. your video gives me hope that i can still keep in touch with my classical guitar.
I leave my nails just outside the tip of the fingers, except on the thumb which is a bit longer. For the type of music that I play this works very well. Thanks for the video!
As a guitarist who also rock climbs quite a bit I have been forced into playing without good nails quite a few times 😅 it’s definitely something you can improve at and with some softer pieces I believe I sounds better without them.
So talented
I tried no nails several years ago. I found that shorter nails are great, but no nails didn’t work for me either.
I use a slightly shorter nails for the past few days, will see how it goes :D
At least you were not wrong in the execution of the musical pieces. Among the characteristics derived from playing with medium-length nails, the most important is the traction of the touch on the strings, then there is the volume level of the sound (I am not a professional but I have played melody chord for 50 years and I studied some classical guitar technique (of course, a study topic was the length of the fingernails of the right hand, as you say, it's a midpoint). I send you greetings from Mexico.
I have nails, fake ones. I keep them short. I like muted organics of no nails. It really is the feeling and the hearing of the sound. I play with groups, nails help your projection. You did very well. Thanks for the video. Blessings.
As a flamenco player, we play with short nails. The nail should follow the same curvature of the tip of your finger. But thumb nail should be longer but not too long. Olé
I am so happy you tried this. With nails is definitely sharper. No nails is as beautiful in different way However I wonder what a week of playing without nails would do. I think you should give it a fair chance. I am glad you discovered the connection with the guitar by playing with your figures. This is common with a pick too. I tried strumming with my fingers, but they just hurt. So I gave up. Then I got much better, saw another video that recommended playing with your fingers and I too discovered how much closer I am to the guitar. I hope you give it more of a chance. This is the first video, but you play so beautifully with or without nails.
Hey! Without nails just seem so much cooler to me.. cool videos!
I play with longer nails too (no artficial because I have good solid nails) BUT I do find the sound of flesh and not only nail in this video better! especially in the tremolo of recuerdos! I remember seeing a master class video of Ana Vidovic and she told a guy that she thinks the sound of flesh and nail is the best for her. I think she also brought up a reference of another guitarist. But for sure you get a lot more treble and brilliance with longer nails. Thank you for this comparison video Beatrix! We love you 🥰🥰
Oh I must check that video! Was it on Siccas? And be glad to have strong nails, it's sooo rare! :D
@@beatrixguitar Yes, it was on Siccas you can find it here on YT! And of course im glad to have these but I would be way more happy if I could make proper use of them 😅😭 Bless you Beatrix, you're such a great inspiration to us! 😍😍
Despite the wishes of my classical guitar instructor, I have always played with short nails...I prefer the sound, I have good volume, and its so easy!! You sounded great with shorter nails.
I practice a lot of flamenco techniques and kinda like to play aggressive, which is where no nails failed me. But for warmer pieces its a lovely tone.
This reminds me of so many guitar comparison videos. There's rarely any noticable difference as it's played by the same person. It's often frustrating that the lovely gentle old guitar music is played on bright big guitars with nails. But your guitar sounds nice and pleasant even with nails.
I play without nails, and enjoy the soft sound very much. I personally think nails sound a bit harsh. Fernando Sor said as much, and even Tarrega played without nails later in life. There's a guy on youtube called Rob MacKillop who I'd call the authority on modern no nails technique. Nailless requires an entirely different technique of plucking, you almost have to curl your fingers under the strings and pull them up. Sor showed a diagram where you push the strings down and kind of pull them to the side, basically another way to achieve the same thing. Also Rob tunes his guitar down an entire step, 392hz I believe, to make it easier to play without nails. Low tension strings are probably a plus too. I current play a whole step down, and honestly prefer the sound of it. Rob said that a lot of nail players will try no nails, but not change their technique, and end up disliking it
It seems like no nails classical is starting to become a trend
oh really? I haven'T noticed! It surely is more comfortable than to maintain nails
@@beatrixguitar Hi! I just wanted to say I am a huge fan and love your videos! You explain things so well and give such an in depth personal look into being a professional musician! Its honestly so refreshing to see someone around my age on classical guitar bringing all the fun out of it!
It is, indeed. Since Pujol ceased to play in concert at the end of the first part of the twentieh century (he was old and his fingers were trembling in the end, so he could not play anymore), all flesh players were marginalized not to say persecuted, so that this technique was until recently almost extinct. Back in the 90’s, I started to play myself without nails with gut strings in a A 415 on a Torres (an excellent replica, absolutely equivalent to the original, made by the man who restored the real Torres at the Museum of Paris). The result was very interesting, however not virtuoso. But I faced at this time a HUGE hostility in the academic ambient, even from…. Alberto Ponce (a former student of Pujol, who adopted nails and Segovia’s technique) ! Today, due to internet, things are changing, because all of us who are interested in this can share their experience and communicate. And we discover that we are numerous, we who largely prefer the sound of the flesh, its immaterial, essential and pure character. This technique is coming back. Now, all we have to do is to show virtuosity, to demonstrate that it is possible. As regards loudness, this technique produces a little less loud sound (not that much, but still a little less) at the place where the player is ; but the sound is projected in a different way (I have personnally played in a concert hall where my Torres was perfectly heard without nails as they told me). Anyway, today the amplification is much better than it used to be, so I think this is a false or anachronistic problem…
It would seem so. Or at least it’s gaining some traction out there. I personally have always kept my nails relatively short. My technique affords me the ability to exploit everything from just flesh to all nails. Of course I’ve been at this for 50 years.
@@viangallifrancois2568I can't understand the obsession for a guitar getting loud. It's not suppose to be loud.
You are very courageous, performing such an experiment. I always feel sad when I break a nail and have to patiently let it grow back; until it gets as long as the others, the tones are not the same. I enjoyed your comments about the differences, and your conclusion to keep the nails, but maybe have them not quite so long,
Yes ping pong balls can be your best friend.
I haven't finished watching or even got to the playing without nails, but I'm glad I watched just for the music. So beautiful. Thank you. AND AT THE END: unlike most commenters here, I agree with you: better with nails. But it's great you tried the other way and probably the middle way you plan to try will be the solution.
Hi! Very interesting. I Thu in I prefer no-nails! And thankyou for the video!
50yrs(?) years ago, I friend of mine, went to a Emilio Pujol summer school in Spain, and was very impressed with the "nailless" sound that Emilio achieved.
I agree with @StevenWatsonMusic, going without nails takes time. I've been doing it for a couple months now and using a steel-string guitar. Playing Barrios's "La Catedral: I Prelude - Saudade." The sound is weird and wonderful at times.
Sou apaixonado pelo seu trabalho, sigo voçê aqui é no seu istagram tbm..seus clássicos são maravilhosos seus dedilhados são perfeitos, parabéns vc é perfeita.Deus lhe abençôe sempre, sou Brasileiro ...
I'm surprised everybody is choosing no nails. The nails version had a better, pretty much every tonal quality. The no nails was muted to the point of including too much low end and muddying it. It also had a frequency in it I'm not digging. This has inspired me to work on my right hand nails again. Super cool video. Thanks!
when i switched to flesh-only a few years back i realized each finger has a different sound, that gives you some of the dynamics you lose lacking nails
yeah I totally agree, I felt pretty much the same
I dont know if you need to cut nails to notice this
When I was taking lessons years ago (I don't play any more) I was very frustrated by breaking my nails frequently. I wasn't doing any knid of manual work, I was just a college student, but at least one was broken all the time. My teacher suggested that I try playing "al carne". I did, and it worked out well for me. You play beautifully both ways. I have no doubt that with a little time to get used to the difference you will feel much more comfortable without nails.
Nails all the way for me. I think I just prefer the note definition and precision with nails. I also think that they give the guitarist a much great range of options and control over the note. I really preferred all of the pieces with nails, especially Tarregas' Estudio in E minor and the Maria Linnemann piece. No nails come across as a bit soft and muddy to my taste, and flat, with less tonal variance. Outside of that, I can tell you are a lot more comfortable with nails. Some of this may not be just tone, but also control and playability for the guitarist. Things have evolved in guitar playing, even on the classical side and to me it seems like a lot of the no nails people are a bit more historical in their approach and the pieces they play. You play very beutifully....keep doing what you are doing with nails! (though I agree also, I'm keeping my nails a bit shorter these days as well).
Since I also play lute I need to play with very short nails in order to dig into the double stringing. Its also annoying to break nails so often. But I can't get the volume on tremolo and also the contrasting timbre of nail use. Your video is very enlightening and you demonstrate clearly you can play very well with nice tone without nails. Very nice job on the tremolo without nails
Not a classical player, just a beginner on steel string acoustic, but my first impression is that I like no nails better. The warmth is my favorite characteristic when I listen to classical. And professional "bad" is still inspiring!
It was hard for me to cut my nails, but I never regreted it. Basically the only technique not possible without nails is tremolo (at least a nice one). But I got a wide variety of new sounds in exchange, especially if you study Sor's school Amazing that you managed tremolo! I fail on that without nails.
I could tell within a few seconds of no-nail playing that you had more control over the micro-dynamics of each individual note. As a former classical guitarist (I still play but not classical) I prefer the sound of no nails. I always struggled with nail care too because I refused to stop being active and always broke the damn things. Lovely playing too! Who were/are your teachers?
Beatrice, sei Meravigliosa
For those who plays both guitar and piano/keyboards...short or no nails really helps
Hello. Love it the way you play and share your musical experience. About nails short or long, yes not, a great guitarist that I love, Dominic Miller, plays with fingertips, and his sound is amazing. But still, I'm an humble guitarist too, I prefer with longer nails. Just ... degustibus. Thank you for this interesting video.
It's so nice to see other guitarist trying the no nails technique without prejudices. As a guitarist myself I've been trying to learn the no nail playing for a couple of months checking Sor's method and re-learning elementary pieces. It was very hard at first to switch to this new way of approaching to the guitar, but it has really change my playing experience and they way I feel towards the instrument. I recommend to any guitarist just to give it a chance and leave aside dogmatic thoughts. ¡There are many ways to play the guitar, not just one! After all, if you don't like it, you can always grow your nails back at any moment. Thanks for making this video Beatrix!
I got enrolled in the Piano Class for the beginners at our local community college. I left the nails on my right hand because I play classical guitar. Now I know what to do. I'll cut the nails and play comfortably both,- piano and classical guitar. Thank You for this video. In any case, the nails will grow again if I want them to.
Hey I just started piano 2 weeks ago too and I feel your pain, it’s a hard decision. So far what I did is that I trimmed my nails to very small. Now it’s too short for guitar and too long for piano lol 😂 just kidding, well, party, but I’m trying to find a healthy middle
@@beatrixguitar Even my piano teacher plays the piano with the nails. So do all my classmates. I really don't know how they do it. I think the nails should go. That's why I am sure You will find a healthy middle. Studying the piano means that you will deal with a lot of music theory which is nice.
You sound great playing both ways, but I prefer the tone you make playing with nails. Tried this same experiment myself last year with a similar result.
I think the main downside to no nails is that you don’t have access to a ponticello tone colour. But the issues which you mentioned, about control of your technique, I think that’s just because you are used to playing with nails. I eventually got rid of my nails because I started playing the lute, and it’s taken ages to get used to not having them on guitar. But now I feel my sound is actually stronger and more reliable than it was when I had them. No Ponti though. I don’t really miss it! I’m enjoying your channel, thanks 😊
Have been in and out of no-nail technique, for years now, a few tips for everyone: you need sticky strings such as savarez nylon or gut, also have discovered that replacing the ring finger for the pinky finger gives clarity and brightness (maybe somewhere in the middle of no nail and nail)
I've played steel string with bare fingers for years and want to get into nylon, so this is reassuring!
I think tremelo sounds quite nice with no-nails. It feels more continuous and blended together to me. Of course, not having nails gives a very subtle timing difference that you will have to get used to. As a hobbyist, I was not able to justify the care necessary to keep my nails in proper condition for classical guitar. Additionally, I have some problem nails (hooked nail on index finger, middle finger nail always splits). Thus, I keep my nails short and got used to it. I found that I can still engage my nails when they are quite short when I want to. Of course, I am not a professional and don't need to fill a concert hall with the tone of my guitar.
When I experimented with no nails, I had to file off the white part completely and go slightly beyond (ouch) to stop the nails from making slight contact with the strings. I prefer the tone of no nails, it's less contrasty and can make musical ideas easier to follow, but other pieces work better with more contrast.
yeah I was thinking to do the same but then I felt like just for a video maybe it isn't worth it haha :D
So youtube just decided to recomend your channel to me, interesting video! I much prefer the tone of the no nails, but that's mostly because when i tried to let them grow for this, i absolutely hated the feeling of long nails so i have to cut then short, even shorter than my finger tips so they dont annoy me, so i'm used to the tone of no nails. i am not a classical guitar player tho, sometimes i do play with the fingers but most of the time i use a thumb pick combined with the other 3 fingers picking or just a normal pick. I have always wondered how people are able to keep their nails long, they start growing past the finger tip already starts to bother me and i have to cut them back down immedially lol.
I try to keep the top of my nail ramp about 2mm past my fingertip. When they get too much longer, the tone gets quite brittle and nasal. Shorter than 2mm I have trouble keeping my point of contact with the strings consistent and the sound gets dull and tubby. I'm still not happy with my thumbnail shape, however.
@beatrixguitar I leave my nails exactly long enough to stick just prominent of my finger pads. this lets me sort of play with both and curl my finger slightly when i want that nail attack.
Great video, thanks for sharing! I think what you've said about 'contact' with the strings is really the key. I'm probably an anomaly, so do take this with a pinch of salt, but I've always preferred the sound of classical guitar with the flesh of the fingers, rather than the nails. I think what you said about relying too much on the nails is very true. For me, there's something about the direct flesh-to-string contact that immediately sounds more visceral and more emotionally present; nails tend to make the sound more emotionally 'distant', at least to me. One other thing is that after a short time practicing without nails, you do build up a slightly tougher finger pad, which I wouldn't necessarily refer to as callous (it's not quite that hard). But it's tough enough that it does change the sound, as well as your tonal range and control. So I would encourage you to give it some time and see whether it works for you. All that said, there are, of course, many guitarists who 'work' their nails in ways that never sound 'thin' or 'distant'. A dear friend of mine who's very well known as a performer, composer, and teacher gets what I would say is the best tonal range and full-bodied expression I've ever heard anyone get with nails. (And by the way, he also uses fake nails and works on them a lot.) On the other hand, I tried to do so for years but could never get nails to sound good - or perhaps more importantly, never could get them to sound like me. Anyway, best of luck, and I love your playing, cheers!
nice experiment - I actually find the last Linneman piece better with short nails :)