CLASSICAL GUITAR WITHOUT NAILS FULL

Both points of contact are important to produce a full and clear tone. The first point of contact is the flesh part of the finger or thumb, followed by the release point when the nail hits the string. When the finger or thumb strikes the string, there are two points of contact. Either way, nail care is something to consider and experiment with. Some guitarists may play without nails, but most classical players eventually realize that nails really help to produce a more precise sound. You should remember that your playing position and technique also play an equally important role in your tone, as mentioned above. Therefore, the final step to consider is how you care for your nails to produce a quality guitar tone. You can perform a piece correctly, but it will fall short if your tone is harsh and flat. Prestissimo – even faster than presto (200 bpm and over)įor more information on tempo markings check out the Wikipedia article.įinally, needless to say, that the tone you create on your guitar is essential! What a listener hears as the finger hits the string is arguably the most important element at any level of playing.

Allegrissimo or Allegro vivace – very fast (172–176 bpm).

Vivacissimo – very fast and lively (172–176 bpm) Seriously, I came across this video where Rob MacKillop explains his technique developed without using the nails of his right hand, inspired by Fernando Sor technique.

Allegro – fast (120–156 bpm) Vivace – lively and fast (156–176 bpm).

Allegro moderato – slightly slower than allegro (116–120 bpm).

Allegretto – moderately fast (112–120 bpm).

Moderato – at a moderate speed (108–120 bpm).

Andante moderato – between andante and moderato (92–112 bpm).

Andantino – slightly faster than andante (80–108 bpm).

Andante – at a walking pace (76–108 bpm).

Adagietto – slower than andante (72–76 bpm).

Larghetto – rather broadly (60–66 bpm) Adagio – slowly (66–76 bpm).

Larghissimo – very, very slowly (24 bpm or less).

So, I decided function was better than form for me. I'd practice in that manner for hours but I always ended up uncomfortable and, being tall in the saddle, my back would start hurting. I tried sitting using the proper posture and even have one of those little adjustable foot rest thingies.

And, because of the proximity of my hand to the strings I further cheat by using a thumbpick, which your instructor will wrestle off your thumb if caught.Īll confessions aside, I really am a good person once you get to know me. My little finger nail is a good 1/4' long while the others are about 1/8' long. I use all 5 fingers, which is something you will be instructed not to do, and I play with the guitar on my right leg, which is also something you will be instructed not to do. Mine vary and that's because.that's what works for me and I don't play in the conventional manner. what's the minimum length of nail I could have? I play rugby so.įirst, we're talking fingernails, not toenails. Is there anything I should know and keep in mind as I'm taking lessons (with nails)?Īlright.

technique-wise, what will I need to do differently? Obviously, I'll have to play 'harder' to get a decently loud volume (I'm not planning on performing at concerts or anything anyways, this is just for my own enjoyment and that of family/friends), as well as on higher notes, and flamenco style will probably be substantially more difficult. I'm about to start taking classical guitar lesson at my university and while my teacher is intent on making me grow my nails out, later I would really like to cut them and learn to play without, not only for practical reasons (of which there are many) but because I find the tone far more 'mellow' and perfect for the kind of music I like (slow, romantic Spanish music, among other things).Īnyways, I've done some research and it looks like quite a few famous virtuoso guitarists chose to play without nails for the same reason - they thought the mellow tone of the flesh sounded better than the sharper (albeit louder) sound from playing with nails.

Classical guitar without nails