Nails or No Nails on the Ukulele?

Nails or no nails on ukulele? This is a common question for beginner ukulele players. The truth is there are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. But if you're just starting out with fingerstyle ukulele, here are a few recommendations.
1. When just starting out, we recommend actually playing without nails. You can get a very warm, round sound and you don't have to worry about nails that can be brittle, break, and sometimes cause a harsh sound.
2. Whether you play with or without nails, we can get a great sound if we pay attention to the "point of contact"-where the finger touches the string. Without nails we want to use the big fleshy pad of the finger, like we do when we strum; but when we add nails in the mix we'll aim for the fingertip so we get a good balance of flesh and nail.
3. Once you begin experimenting with nails, we recommend beginning with a "ramp" shape. File in a more-or-less 45-degree angle from the left edge of the nail to the right. On the edges of the nail we'll need to file off the corners so they don't hook and catch on the string.
4. How long should your nails be? It will differ for each person so experiment. Remember it's a lot easier to take nail off than it is to grow it back, so start out with longer nails and work your way down until you find what you like.
Learn more about nails on ukulele in Jeff's blog article here:
ukulelecorner....

[@G..G..]

This is one of the best videos. My index nail kept getting hooked on the strings. Now I know how to fix this… Thanks so much… I ordered the sandpaper you mentioned.

[@Q2W3E4R5T6Y7YYY]

Cool. I've tried many times to play with my nails long but could never get a satisfying sound. Great tips(no pun intended). I'll let my nails grow out again and
file them to perfection. Thank you.

[@ombahuguna3854]

Seriously best explanation on this topic. ❤❤🎶

[@UkuleleCorner]

Thank you so much!

[@UkuleleSolos]

Great video! Well explained and clearly demonstrated. Keep up the great content! 😀👍🤙

[@UkuleleCorner]

Thank you so much!

[@jillgeary1313]

Excellent explanation Jeff. Thanks!

[@UkuleleCorner]

Thank you so much

[@bentackett6299]

Nice uke!

[@zedpassway4140]

The nails do make it easier to play faster if you want to actually be able to hear the notes. Without them, I ran into an inability to play at all fast as a beginner(who took the Ukulele Corner Course for a year- 6/21 to 6/22). I use “fake" GuitarPlayer Nails© now.

[@UkuleleCorner]

Thanks for the comment, Zed! "Fake" nails can be a great solution.

[@MariUSukulele]

great advice!

[@WindsongSoundBath]

Good video thanks .
I play ukulele with bare fingertips and starting to use a pick sometimes for more volume . The idea of having to always be filing and shaping the nails doesn't seem like the thing for me . I wouldn't want to always need to stay on top of that .

[@UkuleleCorner]

Hi Bret, yes, there are several approaches that will work. It really depends on what you want to get out of the instrument. Best wishes!

[@WindsongSoundBath]

@@UkuleleCorner Thanks you too !

[@100daysmic9]

Glad I found this. I am planning to take up ukulele and I love my nails....hate to see women with nails completely cut off. I don't mind a little shorter than I typically have but I don't want SHORT!!!!

[@UkuleleCorner]

Yes, you definitely can play ukulele with nails! Glad this was helpful for you.