I play the ukulele, and it seems pretty common for ukulele players to play without using the nails... except for those who came from a classical guitar background first. I work with my hands and my nails break pretty easily, so I have continued with no-nails playing as a matter of necessity, but I think strumming or plucking the string with the flesh can have a nice warm sound and I feel like I have a little bit more control, perhaps because of getting more tactile feedback. (I am self-taught so my "form" might not be what a teacher would recommend.)
Well, I play the ukulele without nails of course and certainly agree with what you say! The greater sense of control is an interesting point, and one I certainly felt when I went nailless. There can be a sense that the nail is no longer 'in the way' -- that one is closer to the string.
As someone whos played guitar for years and just getting into classical guitar I really enjoyed hearing you speak, very knowledgable and interesting especially as Im.not sure i want to grow my nails just yet. Im only just learning the tremolo effect and i do feel Im making it harder for myself without nails especially on the b and g strings although i am uding a Cordoba crossover C9 so the strings are a touch closer together.
Glad you enjoyed the vid! Tremolo is difficult to do well with or withour nails, but yes it's probably a bit harder still without. Nevertheless, many nonailers have done so (see the links in the video description, if you haven't already).
Very fair and objective treatment of this contentious topic, Steven. One caution I would like to add here, though, is that "playing with nails" isn't one uniform thing. The shape of the nail, its length and its flexibility make a great difference in the resultant sound. For example the direction of the ramp can substantially affect the roundness or sharpness of the sound. Regarding no-nails playing, some players like Rob MacKillop (whom you linked above) advocate a noticeable change in the right hand positioning to achieve the best sound and dynamics. He also mentioned developing a harder flesh on the fingertip. Bottom line: I like to consider the nails vs no-nails situation as a continuum rather than a chasm between two different lands.
Yes, I agree to an extent and have written a bit about this elsewhere. There's no one way to play with nails, just as there's no one way to play without nails. There are also players who have flesh thumb and fingernails, and vice versa. I think you're mistaken re Rob, though. He's very careful to avoid calluses on his fingertips. But yes, a different hand position is usually needed.
@@StevenWatsonMusic Thanks for your reply, Steven. I may be confusing MacKillop with Virginia Luque here in the States where the recommendation was for a firming of the flesh of the fingertips but not an actual callous which, of course, is rough and unsuitable for good tone.
@@Fernwald84 oh yes, I very much went for a firming of the fingertip, and many other nonailers players seem to have done the same, but Rob takes a slightly different approach, emphasising keeping the tip soft.
I saved this one to my "Watch Later" playlist until I had enough time to view the entire video. You made some very valid points here. I especially liked the section about concert guitarists promoting nail playing. When I recently attended a guitar festival here in Virginia, I found people were supporting only a very narrow style of playing (which was a different attitude than the festival in Rhode Island). As for projection, I do find that I get a brighter, and a bit louder sound with nails, but I don't have an issue with no nails, it's simply a different tone. It was also important that you mentioned how one's repertoire can still be as diverse as one chooses and not limited to _musique ancient_ and the like. I recently cut my long nails, I wish I had done a comparison video, ha ha. Regarding the strings, I do find that genuine gut grips better, and is more comfortable than textured trebles like Martin Magnifico. That tactile feedback may have been the main reason Sor and Tarrega chose to go no-nail. Overall an A+ video. My only suggestion for future lecture style videos would be to add graphics to support the points you're making.
@@Josh.Vanjani Thanks for watching Josh! Interesting about the guitar festivals. I'd be interested to know a bit more? It's a good point that no-nails should not be considered an early music technique. I've never tried Martin strings. Yeah, I'm a bit old fashioned and like lectures without graphics... I recognise I'm definitely in a minority on this!
Glad to hear lattice brace works for you! I was just digressing about my personal preferences, which is for more modern instruments but not double tops/lattice. Extra difficulties playing fast are possibly the most valid objection to playing without nails. Certainly, I've never met a nonailer who said it was easier to play fast without nails
Even though I can't see myself playing without nails, I hope the "you must play with nails" dogma is one that will get reevaluated in the near future. I think ultimately it can only lead to more people being willing to pick up the instrument, as well as giving concert players a wider palette of sound to play with and distinguish themselves with. Incidentally, that rendition of recuerdos by Shirokov is the best I've heard in a very long time.
Hello Steven. Great video as usual. There isn't enough discussion on this vexed subject, and it's great to have an intelligent and informed voice on it. However, I'd like to ask you about the mic you're using. I'm in the market for one, and I like the sound of yours. (Perhaps musicians are the best people to ask!)
@@p1ranesi Hi Martin, and thanks! For this video I used my old Zoom H1n, which I have set up as a 'talking' mic for teaching etc. For recording the guitar, I use a Tascam HR40x, but the Zoom H1n also works great for music (my first 40 or so videos used it). Both are portable and simple to use.
I started out playing without nails. Then, when I went to the library to pickup a few books on the guitar, I found “A Classical Guitarist Guide To Nail Care” which at first confused me as there was nothing about hammer care. Once I wrapped my head around that book I now know that playing fingerstyle without nails is like playing tennis with an unstrung tennis racket. Possible but no fun whatsoever.
no nail playing is guitar at it's best. experimenting with it in the past leaves me confident that it's possible for me. i'm still fairly new so hopefully as i progress my skills i can return back to it. for now it's nails for the ease of play and my husband.
The only thing I would say to consider is that the longer you play with nails, the harder it can become to then change to flesh. They're two different techniques -- when I converted to nonails I basically had to relearn how to play! Hope you both continue to enjoy playing, whichever technique you choose.
without nails gives a much softer/warmer sound imo,with nails can be too "metallic" on the higher strings. I've heard amateur guitarists on yt completely butcher softer melodies on the higher strings (due to nails... )
@@colcol950 an argument I've seen crop up in early 20th century dicussions of nails vs nonails is that, nails are fine for professionals but amateurs are better off with flesh.
I've struggled with this issue and, ultimately, I play without nails. It might sound cliche, however, music notation is written in black and white, but how you color it is up to you. Your tonal pallet is your voice. Once we are trained to a certain point, we have the maturity to make our own choices in finding that voice. My biggest mistake when I was an aspiring professional guitarist was not developing my own voice. The player's physical contact with the instrument is a matter of intimacy (for lack of a better word) that only exists between the player and the instrument. If there is any issue of "culpability" in this debate, it is abandoning your voice out of giving in to the pressures of what others deem "the correct" way to play. The "I just cut off my nails" videos are not well received. Just because you don't have nails, doesn't mean there isn't work in developing tone and technique. Thanks for a well thought out video and your previous video about the history of no-nails playing.
Thanks for your thoughts on the subject, Tony! The 'I just cut off my nails' videos and posts can definitely be frustrating. Developing one's tone without nails is a long process, especially for those of us who had played with nails for some time. Like you, I was conflicted about the issue for a time, continuing to play with nails because I wanted to do diploma etc. Then lockdown came, I was just playing for myself, and finally gave nonails a proper go.
@@StevenWatsonMusic And, thanks again for your videos. It takes time to develop the no nails approach. Personally, the biggest issue that I initially had was a feeling of tugging on the string, especially with my "a" (right hand ring) finger. But, it evolved into focus on a region of my finger tip and I have been able to bring my "a" finger into full play. I note your comments on Pujol primarily using "p", "i" and "m" (if I heard correctly). Now, scales are played light with even tone. A great piece for working out no nails technique is Tarrega's "Pavana" with the delicate trills. In any event, I ramble . . . .
Rambling's fine -- I did a fair bit of it in the video! Fernando Sor primarily used 'p', 'i', & 'm'. Pujol (and Tarrega et al.) used 'a' often. If I said otherwise somewhere then I definitely mispoke! 'a' is often a problem finger; somewhat unusally, I use my little finger as well, which for me has always been a stronger finger.
@@StevenWatsonMusic Yes - I stand corrected. You mentioned Fernando Sor. Your video on the history of no nails playing is very interesting regarding Segovia's critique (or criticism) of Tarrega's method and students. I saw an article somewhere this morning noting that Segovia initially attempted to play without nails, but that he always had nail protruding on his index finger and needed to balance it out with the others. Well, if anything, we classical guitar players certainly keep history alive through the music, the instruments and the ongoing parle.
@@tonyzinnanti5905 phew, glad I didn't mispeak! I've that about Segovia's index finger before. Never been able to verify it -- there are lots of rumours that fly around about this subject! Glad you liked the history video. There will be more history stuff, am preparing a nonails website, part of which will be attempting to comprehensively cover the history of nonail playing...
![Gucci Mane & Sexyy Red - You Don't Love Me [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/j7IBqyFKT4c/mqdefault.jpg)
Well researched and explained! Good job - I particularly liked the retractable nails idea haha. Cats already got it lol
Thanks Tate! As it happens, cats do rather like playing about with guitar strings...
@@StevenWatsonMusic I bet they do! haha
I play the ukulele, and it seems pretty common for ukulele players to play without using the nails... except for those who came from a classical guitar background first.
I work with my hands and my nails break pretty easily, so I have continued with no-nails playing as a matter of necessity, but I think strumming or plucking the string with the flesh can have a nice warm sound and I feel like I have a little bit more control, perhaps because of getting more tactile feedback. (I am self-taught so my "form" might not be what a teacher would recommend.)
Well, I play the ukulele without nails of course and certainly agree with what you say! The greater sense of control is an interesting point, and one I certainly felt when I went nailless. There can be a sense that the nail is no longer 'in the way' -- that one is closer to the string.
As someone whos played guitar for years and just getting into classical guitar I really enjoyed hearing you speak, very knowledgable and interesting especially as Im.not sure i want to grow my nails just yet. Im only just learning the tremolo effect and i do feel Im making it harder for myself without nails especially on the b and g strings although i am uding a Cordoba crossover C9 so the strings are a touch closer together.
Glad you enjoyed the vid! Tremolo is difficult to do well with or withour nails, but yes it's probably a bit harder still without. Nevertheless, many nonailers have done so (see the links in the video description, if you haven't already).
Very fair and objective treatment of this contentious topic, Steven. One caution I would like to add here, though, is that "playing with nails" isn't one uniform thing. The shape of the nail, its length and its flexibility make a great difference in the resultant sound. For example the direction of the ramp can substantially affect the roundness or sharpness of the sound. Regarding no-nails playing, some players like Rob MacKillop (whom you linked above) advocate a noticeable change in the right hand positioning to achieve the best sound and dynamics. He also mentioned developing a harder flesh on the fingertip. Bottom line: I like to consider the nails vs no-nails situation as a continuum rather than a chasm between two different lands.
Yes, I agree to an extent and have written a bit about this elsewhere. There's no one way to play with nails, just as there's no one way to play without nails. There are also players who have flesh thumb and fingernails, and vice versa.
I think you're mistaken re Rob, though. He's very careful to avoid calluses on his fingertips. But yes, a different hand position is usually needed.
@@StevenWatsonMusic Thanks for your reply, Steven. I may be confusing MacKillop with Virginia Luque here in the States where the recommendation was for a firming of the flesh of the fingertips but not an actual callous which, of course, is rough and unsuitable for good tone.
@@Fernwald84 oh yes, I very much went for a firming of the fingertip, and many other nonailers players seem to have done the same, but Rob takes a slightly different approach, emphasising keeping the tip soft.
I saved this one to my "Watch Later" playlist until I had enough time to view the entire video. You made some very valid points here. I especially liked the section about concert guitarists promoting nail playing. When I recently attended a guitar festival here in Virginia, I found people were supporting only a very narrow style of playing (which was a different attitude than the festival in Rhode Island). As for projection, I do find that I get a brighter, and a bit louder sound with nails, but I don't have an issue with no nails, it's simply a different tone. It was also important that you mentioned how one's repertoire can still be as diverse as one chooses and not limited to _musique ancient_ and the like. I recently cut my long nails, I wish I had done a comparison video, ha ha. Regarding the strings, I do find that genuine gut grips better, and is more comfortable than textured trebles like Martin Magnifico. That tactile feedback may have been the main reason Sor and Tarrega chose to go no-nail. Overall an A+ video. My only suggestion for future lecture style videos would be to add graphics to support the points you're making.
@@Josh.Vanjani Thanks for watching Josh! Interesting about the guitar festivals. I'd be interested to know a bit more? It's a good point that no-nails should not be considered an early music technique. I've never tried Martin strings.
Yeah, I'm a bit old fashioned and like lectures without graphics... I recognise I'm definitely in a minority on this!
I find playing fast without nails to be very challenging but possible, I have guitars with both brace types, fan and lattice, I love both.
Glad to hear lattice brace works for you! I was just digressing about my personal preferences, which is for more modern instruments but not double tops/lattice. Extra difficulties playing fast are possibly the most valid objection to playing without nails. Certainly, I've never met a nonailer who said it was easier to play fast without nails
Even though I can't see myself playing without nails, I hope the "you must play with nails" dogma is one that will get reevaluated in the near future. I think ultimately it can only lead to more people being willing to pick up the instrument, as well as giving concert players a wider palette of sound to play with and distinguish themselves with.
Incidentally, that rendition of recuerdos by Shirokov is the best I've heard in a very long time.
@@Jellzorro I certainly hope so! Shirokov is an amazing player, yet so unknown (in the West at least)
Hello Steven. Great video as usual. There isn't enough discussion on this vexed subject, and it's great to have an intelligent and informed voice on it.
However, I'd like to ask you about the mic you're using. I'm in the market for one, and I like the sound of yours. (Perhaps musicians are the best people to ask!)
@@p1ranesi Hi Martin, and thanks! For this video I used my old Zoom H1n, which I have set up as a 'talking' mic for teaching etc. For recording the guitar, I use a Tascam HR40x, but the Zoom H1n also works great for music (my first 40 or so videos used it). Both are portable and simple to use.
@@StevenWatsonMusic Cheers.
I started out playing without nails. Then, when I went to the library to pickup a few books on the guitar, I found “A Classical Guitarist Guide To Nail Care” which at first confused me as there was nothing about hammer care. Once I wrapped my head around that book I now know that playing fingerstyle without nails is like playing tennis with an unstrung tennis racket.
Possible but no fun whatsoever.
Thanks man.. I can't stop biting my nails..I feel better now
Well, glad to offer some reassurance... But I should add that I don't endorse nail-biting!
no nail playing is guitar at it's best. experimenting with it in the past leaves me confident that it's possible for me. i'm still fairly new so hopefully as i progress my skills i can return back to it. for now it's nails for the ease of play and my husband.
The only thing I would say to consider is that the longer you play with nails, the harder it can become to then change to flesh. They're two different techniques -- when I converted to nonails I basically had to relearn how to play! Hope you both continue to enjoy playing, whichever technique you choose.
without nails gives a much softer/warmer sound imo,with nails can be too "metallic" on the higher strings. I've heard amateur guitarists on yt completely butcher softer melodies on the higher strings (due to nails... )
@@colcol950 an argument I've seen crop up in early 20th century dicussions of nails vs nonails is that, nails are fine for professionals but amateurs are better off with flesh.
I've struggled with this issue and, ultimately, I play without nails. It might sound cliche, however, music notation is written in black and white, but how you color it is up to you. Your tonal pallet is your voice. Once we are trained to a certain point, we have the maturity to make our own choices in finding that voice. My biggest mistake when I was an aspiring professional guitarist was not developing my own voice. The player's physical contact with the instrument is a matter of intimacy (for lack of a better word) that only exists between the player and the instrument. If there is any issue of "culpability" in this debate, it is abandoning your voice out of giving in to the pressures of what others deem "the correct" way to play. The "I just cut off my nails" videos are not well received. Just because you don't have nails, doesn't mean there isn't work in developing tone and technique. Thanks for a well thought out video and your previous video about the history of no-nails playing.
Thanks for your thoughts on the subject, Tony! The 'I just cut off my nails' videos and posts can definitely be frustrating. Developing one's tone without nails is a long process, especially for those of us who had played with nails for some time. Like you, I was conflicted about the issue for a time, continuing to play with nails because I wanted to do diploma etc. Then lockdown came, I was just playing for myself, and finally gave nonails a proper go.
@@StevenWatsonMusic And, thanks again for your videos. It takes time to develop the no nails approach. Personally, the biggest issue that I initially had was a feeling of tugging on the string, especially with my "a" (right hand ring) finger. But, it evolved into focus on a region of my finger tip and I have been able to bring my "a" finger into full play. I note your comments on Pujol primarily using "p", "i" and "m" (if I heard correctly). Now, scales are played light with even tone. A great piece for working out no nails technique is Tarrega's "Pavana" with the delicate trills. In any event, I ramble . . . .
Rambling's fine -- I did a fair bit of it in the video! Fernando Sor primarily used 'p', 'i', & 'm'. Pujol (and Tarrega et al.) used 'a' often. If I said otherwise somewhere then I definitely mispoke! 'a' is often a problem finger; somewhat unusally, I use my little finger as well, which for me has always been a stronger finger.
@@StevenWatsonMusic Yes - I stand corrected. You mentioned Fernando Sor. Your video on the history of no nails playing is very interesting regarding Segovia's critique (or criticism) of Tarrega's method and students. I saw an article somewhere this morning noting that Segovia initially attempted to play without nails, but that he always had nail protruding on his index finger and needed to balance it out with the others. Well, if anything, we classical guitar players certainly keep history alive through the music, the instruments and the ongoing parle.
@@tonyzinnanti5905 phew, glad I didn't mispeak! I've that about Segovia's index finger before. Never been able to verify it -- there are lots of rumours that fly around about this subject!
Glad you liked the history video. There will be more history stuff, am preparing a nonails website, part of which will be attempting to comprehensively cover the history of nonail playing...
You're totally right, I just like playing way more with nails than without.
Sure, and for some it will be the other way round. We should use whichever right-hand technique works best for us.
@@StevenWatsonMusic amen
Sup !