I needed this one. My index and middle finger on my right hand have been split tip to cuticle, and haven’t grown past several millimeters back from the tip of my finger, for over a year now and I’ve been so frustrated. I’ve been using top coats and polishes, and any trick and snake oil I can find. Been trying out fake nails lately and they’re great for a minute, but I have so little nail for them to adhere to and they just come off. All that to say, I’ve been feeling self-conscious about how much I think about my nails and I’m glad to see someone I respect talk about it.
It's a perennial problem for us banjo players....be not ashamed!! My daughter recently used UV gel on my banjo nail, and it was incredibly durable and long lasting (and a pain to get off, so there is a downside). If you need industrial intervention, and normal polishes don't work, you might research gel polish. She recommends not going to a shop, because they can really grind your existing nail down. I'm planning on doing a video of DIY gel polish for banjo players at some point! The struggle is real! Thanks for your great comment, Tom
I'm always cautious when recommending something because it may not work for everyone, but as a classical guitarist (and now learning to play the banjo clawhammer style) I struggled with broken, thin, splitting nails for three decades. I tried all the paint-on 'nail hardeners' and nothing really worked. 18 months ago I began taking Organic Beef Broth every morning just for the extra protein, but lo and behold, I noticed a dramatic improvement in my nail health just three months later! Then I discovered that beef broth is very high in collagen, one of the essential building blocks for nails, hair, and soft tissues. Now, a year and a half later, my nails are harder and thicker than ever before and my hair is thicker and healthier too. I have long just past the shoulder length hair and I'm 66 years old and all my friends and family have commented on how great my hair looks, and then I show them my nails! A good quality Organic Beef Broth isn't expensive, so it's worth a try. But...give it at least 90 days or more. I hope this works for many of you as well as it has worked for me. Cheers, and keep on frailin' and pickin' !
@@FretlessFury Hey Tom. I just edited my post because I forgot to add that beef broth is high in collagen which is an essential building block for nails, hair and soft tissues. As we age our bodies produce less and less natural collagen from protein rich foods, so adding beef broth daily can be beneficial. Oh, and your Scotch Wall Tape nail hack is brilliant! I just got some and I'm trying it out today. I'm looking forward to exploring your tutorials too. I'm new to the banjo, but I've played stringed instruments all my life (guitar, cittern, cello, keyed-fiddle) so my left had works great...but learning clawhammer style is a bit of a challenge for my right hand. Regards, Gregory
Can't wait to try it! I've had to start and stop so many times over the last year and a half because of my nails. Tried the acrylics... yeah it worked but when it came off I was left with a super thin sick looking weak and worthless nail. I didn't want to do that forever. I am very optimistic this will work.
Awesome, Patrick! Let me know how this works for you. I'm gathering data that will help players all over the world! Yeah, the acrylic nail is an all-or-nothing proposition. I don't want my nail bed to be affected negatively, so it's just not an option for me. So far, the scotch tape is a real game changer!
My eternal gratitude Tom, your recommendation of using that Scotch Tape has enormously changed my playing for the better! I can now play with complete confidence, strength, and liberty without any worry at all. I can venture way down the bridge or up the neck and in both cases my nail remains INTACT! The people around me don’t understand my joy about this new discovery, but I am sure you do! Thank you again!
Thanks Tom! I am new at clawhammer and made the assumption that the nail should be shaped somewhat like a guitar pick. Your drawing of the nail was very helpful. Between this video and a previous one of yours which very concisely showed technique, I am hoping to start sounding better. Thanks for what you do.
Informative. Thanks. I tried using my nails for decades, but they always broke and I could not maintain a consistent length. It made my clawhammer frustrating, imprecise and mushy. I finally decided to use Clawhammer ProPiks from Deering banjo and I really like them. They changed my Clawhammer life. They take some getting used to, but I don't think I'll ever go back to just using nails.
Yup, lots of folks use and love their clawhammer picks, and I'm of the mind that given enough time and practice a player can adapt to anything. For me, I just love playing with my natural nail, but lost the ability this winter until I found the scotch tape trick. Horses for courses! If you love your picks, you just keep on playing with them. They're an awesome option!
Hi Tom, another great video! You hit the nail on the head or string with this one. During my 60+ years with banjos I went through folk, Irish, old time/frailing, bluegrass and now back to claw hammer banjo. Like you, I suffered from picking finger nail wear. As a working life sciences chemist I was told or discovered that formaldehyde hardened finger nails. It was readily available in the laboratory (from stored cadaver samples) and putting a few drops on my nail resulted in extremely hard, wear proof nails in a couple of days. Used it for a number of years until I moved to Scruggs style picking. A couple of downsides….formaldehyde odour, yellowing of the nail and skin tissue and obtaining formalin ( liquid form) easily. A local high school or college biology laboratory probably your best bet. Currently I’m using Cling Pro and like picks with good success. Once again, great video. Bill Maxwell, Greater Madawaska , Ontario.
Interesting. Would have never thought… I don’t have this issue but other friends of mine have had great success with super glue. This is one Dwight Diller recommends 😂
I used "Hard as Wraps" the other day, and it's working great. I have no clue how it's different from what you suggested! Sally Hansen needs to simplify their product line for us banjo players!
@@FretlessFury absolutely! All I know for sure is that the “Hard as nails “ product contains nylon fiber. Clear to apply and quick drying. Definitely helps to strengthen the nail and resist breaking.
Thanks for the info about the tape. I also nourish my nails with Onyx Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream which seems to help. I'm going to try the tape asap. Thanks Tom
Yeah! That Hard as Hoof cream is what got me over the hump of being able to play nylon string guitar with my nails a in my twenties. It was a total gamechanger. Sadly, it doesn't seem able to keep up with playing a bunch of clawhammer on a daily basis. Those tight steel banjo strings and a near-singular striking surface just chew up my nails, especially if I'm performing regularly and really getting into those down strokes. I'll have to try that tape. And maybe nylon strings?!
@@FretlessFury Hi Tom. I've tried the tape and it works wonders. My first impression was my notes are more crisp. The tape seems to make the nail stiffer along with protecting the nail from wear. As a frailer using the nail for all the downward strokes, my 10 o'clock position would just wear out the nail at this point. Now the tape takes the wear. I'm getting used to the cutting and putting the tape on my nail but this is just practice. So far I can just play and play without worrying about my nail and the notes sound better. How can I complain with that. Thanks for this tip and the sharing about nail health. Bill
I’ve never had nail problems, tried the Sally’s diamond strength to see if it would just add some rigidity to my nail…….. my nail broke two days later. YMMV
Interesting! (sorry to hear that, first of all). I wonder if the Diamond Strength made your nail too hard, and thus more brittle? More evidence that nail solutions are so individual. Thanks for providing some data on this rather obscure topic! Wishing you speedy nail recovery... Tom
interesting.... I just spent the weekend cleaning my banjo of all its dirt and grime. Maybe you could do a video on techniques for keeping the banjo clean and looking good. Thanks for all the great content.
Yeah, I've actually moved on from the tape! I'm using a Sally Hansen hard as nails top coat, and it's fantastic. It also keeps my nail from breaking when I'm gardening or working on my truck.
Good to know! I actually just got the hard as nails stuff and love it too! Surprised that this video is a couple years old. You haven’t aged a day from then to now!
Damm. I need to find that tape i denmark. Breaking nails can been really stressfull. I have been using fake nails and that works. It changes the tone…but it works. One thing to keep in mind is to buy GOOD QUALITY fake nails. I have worn out both poor quality fake nails half way througt the first set. A good trick is to put glue on only one half of the fake nail. That will make it easyer to take it off and replace it.
Thanks for the tip, Peter. I know a lot of folks who use fake nails to great effect, although it is a struggle sometimes. If you can't find the particular tape I use in the video, you might just try some regular "Scotch" tape to see if that will work for you. I had a student show up with painter's tape the other day...but it didn't work at all! If you find an alternative, please post it here for our European banjo brothers and sisters!
I gave up on the clawhammer nail care and just use a pick. I actually prefer it and I feel I can play more delicately. The Atomic Minstrel works best for me. But now I keep somewhat long nails on my fretboard fingers for the fretless stuff but I find I sometimes I catch frets with the nail when I switch back to fretted banjo. Is this a problem for you?
Hey Brendan, picks work well for many folks. If you like the way things sound with a pick, I'd just stay on that road. The wall-safe scotch tape trick might help you make the transition to natural nails if you want to try it out. I don't catch my nail on the frets with my fretting hand when I switch back to fretted, but I do keep them pretty short. Good luck! Tom
Tom what is the downside using a paint on nail hardener vs the tape method? I don’t have very strong nails and as a beginner it’s frustrating try to keep a decent nail.
Ooooh! Great question! About two months ago I started experimenting with a clear nail polish: Sally Hansen "Diamond Strength". I put two coats on, let it cure, and it's fantastic for clawhammer! It prevents wear, and thickens the nail. Give it a shot!
Yes, Amos! Be sure to report back here on how you feel about the tape. I hope it helps! I use it for every practice session, and my nail has never been stronger.
Dude… if a type of tape was removing layers of your fingernail, I think you’re accidentally mispronouncing “Gaff”… It’s one of those weird words, where the S, C, O, T, C, and H are all silent… And yeah, it’s basically a roll of denim with superglue on it. Works REALLY well for things like keeping the exits from Hell nice and “Satan proof”, repairing a cracked motor block… and yes, even successfully kidnapping Chuck Norris. (That last one may seem like a bit of a stretch, but trust me…) You’re lucky you’re only down a few layers of keratin. I’m surprised you didn’t lose an arm.
I needed this one. My index and middle finger on my right hand have been split tip to cuticle, and haven’t grown past several millimeters back from the tip of my finger, for over a year now and I’ve been so frustrated. I’ve been using top coats and polishes, and any trick and snake oil I can find. Been trying out fake nails lately and they’re great for a minute, but I have so little nail for them to adhere to and they just come off. All that to say, I’ve been feeling self-conscious about how much I think about my nails and I’m glad to see someone I respect talk about it.
It's a perennial problem for us banjo players....be not ashamed!! My daughter recently used UV gel on my banjo nail, and it was incredibly durable and long lasting (and a pain to get off, so there is a downside). If you need industrial intervention, and normal polishes don't work, you might research gel polish. She recommends not going to a shop, because they can really grind your existing nail down. I'm planning on doing a video of DIY gel polish for banjo players at some point! The struggle is real! Thanks for your great comment, Tom
I'm always cautious when recommending something because it may not work for everyone, but as a classical guitarist (and now learning to play the banjo clawhammer style) I struggled with broken, thin, splitting nails for three decades. I tried all the paint-on 'nail hardeners' and nothing really worked. 18 months ago I began taking Organic Beef Broth every morning just for the extra protein, but lo and behold, I noticed a dramatic improvement in my nail health just three months later! Then I discovered that beef broth is very high in collagen, one of the essential building blocks for nails, hair, and soft tissues. Now, a year and a half later, my nails are harder and thicker than ever before and my hair is thicker and healthier too. I have long just past the shoulder length hair and I'm 66 years old and all my friends and family have commented on how great my hair looks, and then I show them my nails! A good quality Organic Beef Broth isn't expensive, so it's worth a try. But...give it at least 90 days or more. I hope this works for many of you as well as it has worked for me. Cheers, and keep on frailin' and pickin' !
Hey Greg, thanks so much for this tip! I like that organic beef broth is not a supplement, but real food. Cheers, Tom
@@FretlessFury Hey Tom. I just edited my post because I forgot to add that beef broth is high in collagen which is an essential building block for nails, hair and soft tissues. As we age our bodies produce less and less natural collagen from protein rich foods, so adding beef broth daily can be beneficial. Oh, and your Scotch Wall Tape nail hack is brilliant! I just got some and I'm trying it out today. I'm looking forward to exploring your tutorials too. I'm new to the banjo, but I've played stringed instruments all my life (guitar, cittern, cello, keyed-fiddle) so my left had works great...but learning clawhammer style is a bit of a challenge for my right hand. Regards, Gregory
How much do you drink...a cup every morning???
Wall-Safe tape is a nail-saver! This is a great find. Thanks.
Can't wait to try it! I've had to start and stop so many times over the last year and a half because of my nails. Tried the acrylics... yeah it worked but when it came off I was left with a super thin sick looking weak and worthless nail. I didn't want to do that forever. I am very optimistic this will work.
Awesome, Patrick! Let me know how this works for you. I'm gathering data that will help players all over the world! Yeah, the acrylic nail is an all-or-nothing proposition. I don't want my nail bed to be affected negatively, so it's just not an option for me. So far, the scotch tape is a real game changer!
My eternal gratitude Tom, your recommendation of using that Scotch Tape has enormously changed my playing for the better! I can now play with complete confidence, strength, and liberty without any worry at all. I can venture way down the bridge or up the neck and in both cases my nail remains INTACT! The people around me don’t understand my joy about this new discovery, but I am sure you do! Thank you again!
Thanks Tom! I am new at clawhammer and made the assumption that the nail should be shaped somewhat like a guitar pick. Your drawing of the nail was very helpful. Between this video and a previous one of yours which very concisely showed technique, I am hoping to start sounding better. Thanks for what you do.
So glad it was helpful, Mister Bob. Cheers! Tom
Informative. Thanks. I tried using my nails for decades, but they always broke and I could not maintain a consistent length. It made my clawhammer frustrating, imprecise and mushy. I finally decided to use Clawhammer ProPiks from Deering banjo and I really like them. They changed my Clawhammer life. They take some getting used to, but I don't think I'll ever go back to just using nails.
Yup, lots of folks use and love their clawhammer picks, and I'm of the mind that given enough time and practice a player can adapt to anything. For me, I just love playing with my natural nail, but lost the ability this winter until I found the scotch tape trick. Horses for courses! If you love your picks, you just keep on playing with them. They're an awesome option!
Hi Tom, another great video! You hit the nail on the head or string with this one. During my 60+ years with banjos I went through folk, Irish, old time/frailing, bluegrass and now back to claw hammer banjo. Like you, I suffered from picking finger nail wear. As a working life sciences chemist I was told or discovered that formaldehyde hardened finger nails. It was readily available in the laboratory (from stored cadaver samples) and putting a few drops on my nail resulted in extremely hard, wear proof nails in a couple of days. Used it for a number of years until I moved to Scruggs style picking. A couple of downsides….formaldehyde odour, yellowing of the nail and skin tissue and obtaining formalin ( liquid form) easily. A local high school or college biology laboratory probably your best bet. Currently I’m using Cling Pro and like picks with good success. Once again, great video. Bill Maxwell, Greater Madawaska , Ontario.
Formaldehyde is a carcinogen!
Thanks for the tip and awesome videos!
Glad you like them!
Interesting. Would have never thought… I don’t have this issue but other friends of mine have had great success with super glue. This is one Dwight Diller recommends 😂
super glue is great stuff!
I’ve been trying Sally Hanson’s “Hard as Nails” and that definitely strengthens the nail. Might be worth exploring as well.
I used "Hard as Wraps" the other day, and it's working great. I have no clue how it's different from what you suggested! Sally Hansen needs to simplify their product line for us banjo players!
@@FretlessFury absolutely! All I know for sure is that the “Hard as nails “ product contains nylon fiber. Clear to apply and quick drying. Definitely helps to strengthen the nail and resist breaking.
@@muttandjeff5213 sounds like I need to try that out! Sounds promising. Thanks for the info!
Fly tying and playing banjo, that's where it's at.
Thanks for the info about the tape. I also nourish my nails with Onyx Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream which seems to help. I'm going to try the tape asap. Thanks Tom
Yeah! That Hard as Hoof cream is what got me over the hump of being able to play nylon string guitar with my nails a in my twenties. It was a total gamechanger.
Sadly, it doesn't seem able to keep up with playing a bunch of clawhammer on a daily basis. Those tight steel banjo strings and a near-singular striking surface just chew up my nails, especially if I'm performing regularly and really getting into those down strokes.
I'll have to try that tape. And maybe nylon strings?!
Thanks for the info! Let me know how the tape works for you.
Yeah, I'll be looking into that Onyx cream as well.
@@FretlessFury Hi Tom. I've tried the tape and it works wonders. My first impression was my notes are more crisp. The tape seems to make the nail stiffer along with protecting the nail from wear. As a frailer using the nail for all the downward strokes, my 10 o'clock position would just wear out the nail at this point. Now the tape takes the wear. I'm getting used to the cutting and putting the tape on my nail but this is just practice. So far I can just play and play without worrying about my nail and the notes sound better. How can I complain with that. Thanks for this tip and the sharing about nail health. Bill
That shirt is so cool. Love the Jack of Diamonds reference.
WHO KNEW!!?!? I'm learning a clawhammer song. and my right-hand nail. needs improvement. But will get out my nail file and no more clippers!
There ya go, Ann! Good luck, and thanks for the comment.
I’ve never had nail problems, tried the Sally’s diamond strength to see if it would just add some rigidity to my nail…….. my nail broke two days later. YMMV
Interesting! (sorry to hear that, first of all). I wonder if the Diamond Strength made your nail too hard, and thus more brittle? More evidence that nail solutions are so individual. Thanks for providing some data on this rather obscure topic! Wishing you speedy nail recovery... Tom
Paul Rudd's Wild Wacky Tape Excursion! Also, I use Liquid Skin. It's meant to be used as a bandaid substitute, but it works great for this.
interesting.... I just spent the weekend cleaning my banjo of all its dirt and grime. Maybe you could do a video on techniques for keeping the banjo clean and looking good. Thanks for all the great content.
I have a "care and feeding" video in the works!
@@FretlessFury Thanks, my babies need some care and not always sure the best way to go about it.
Tom, thanks for turning me onto Rayna Gellert.
My pleasure, James!
I once got accused by a friend of a friend of having a, ahem, "cola" nail because of my banjo nail!
Hahahah!
What about the sally hansen clear nail polish? I think you mentioned that on one of your patreon posts. Would love to hear how you like that.
Yeah, I've actually moved on from the tape! I'm using a Sally Hansen hard as nails top coat, and it's fantastic. It also keeps my nail from breaking when I'm gardening or working on my truck.
Good to know! I actually just got the hard as nails stuff and love it too! Surprised that this video is a couple years old. You haven’t aged a day from then to now!
Great tips! Glad I found you! I just subscribed! God bless you and thank you.
Thanks!
Thanks for the helpful tips. Also, what is the song I hear during the outro/end credits? Love it.
Thanks Eric! That's a version of Darlin Corey I'm working on. I'll be teaching it this fall on Banjo Quest. Cheers, Tom
Damm. I need to find that tape i denmark.
Breaking nails can been really stressfull. I have been using fake nails and that works. It changes the tone…but it works.
One thing to keep in mind is to buy GOOD QUALITY fake nails. I have worn out both poor quality fake nails half way througt the first set.
A good trick is to put glue on only one half of the fake nail. That will make it easyer to take it off and replace it.
Thanks for the tip, Peter. I know a lot of folks who use fake nails to great effect, although it is a struggle sometimes. If you can't find the particular tape I use in the video, you might just try some regular "Scotch" tape to see if that will work for you. I had a student show up with painter's tape the other day...but it didn't work at all! If you find an alternative, please post it here for our European banjo brothers and sisters!
I gave up on the clawhammer nail care and just use a pick. I actually prefer it and I feel I can play more delicately. The Atomic Minstrel works best for me.
But now I keep somewhat long nails on my fretboard fingers for the fretless stuff but I find I sometimes I catch frets with the nail when I switch back to fretted banjo. Is this a problem for you?
Hey Brendan, picks work well for many folks. If you like the way things sound with a pick, I'd just stay on that road. The wall-safe scotch tape trick might help you make the transition to natural nails if you want to try it out. I don't catch my nail on the frets with my fretting hand when I switch back to fretted, but I do keep them pretty short. Good luck! Tom
Tom what is the downside using a paint on nail hardener vs the tape method? I don’t have very strong nails and as a beginner it’s frustrating try to keep a decent nail.
Ooooh! Great question! About two months ago I started experimenting with a clear nail polish: Sally Hansen "Diamond Strength". I put two coats on, let it cure, and it's fantastic for clawhammer! It prevents wear, and thickens the nail. Give it a shot!
Great tip. I just ordered the tape off Amazon. Do you trim your nail blunt to better access the corner you strike with?
Yes, Amos! Be sure to report back here on how you feel about the tape. I hope it helps! I use it for every practice session, and my nail has never been stronger.
Dude… if a type of tape was removing layers of your fingernail, I think you’re accidentally mispronouncing “Gaff”… It’s one of those weird words, where the S, C, O, T, C, and H are all silent…
And yeah, it’s basically a roll of denim with superglue on it.
Works REALLY well for things like keeping the exits from Hell nice and “Satan proof”, repairing a cracked motor block… and yes, even successfully kidnapping Chuck Norris. (That last one may seem like a bit of a stretch, but trust me…) You’re lucky you’re only down a few layers of keratin. I’m surprised you didn’t lose an arm.
Hahahah! As a former drummer, gaff tape was often on my breakfast, lunch and dinner menu so I appreciate your insights!
Thanks, It would be helpful if you showed your nail.
Hey John, I actually had tons of nail B-roll, but none of it turned out very well, unfortunately. It landed on the cutting room floor! Best,
Tom
I hate long finger nails, I will be using picks instead .