Members Shifty Eyes Posted December 28, 2008 Members Posted December 28, 2008 I only recently tried to properly use my right hand for tapping but due to having my nails grown a bit it's proving to be a bit troublesome. Since I have to angle my fingers because of the nails I'm losing a lot of strength when I actually hammer on. Does anyone have any advice as to how to make the best of the situation as cutting the nails isn't really an option, or should I just continue this way and just build up the strength even more, though this will develop bad technique.
Members Jasco Posted December 28, 2008 Members Posted December 28, 2008 Do you play with a pick? If so, try tapping with your pick.
Members Megatron_69 Posted December 28, 2008 Members Posted December 28, 2008 For Classical, to get my nail and flesh to contact the string at the same time my nails don't have to be too long at all. My thumb nail has to be long to get the best tone but not my fingers. so tapping has never been a problem on electric.
Members John Busbee Posted December 28, 2008 Members Posted December 28, 2008 I only recently tried to properly use my right hand for tapping but due to having my nails grown a bit it's proving to be a bit troublesome. Since I have to angle my fingers because of the nails I'm losing a lot of strength when I actually hammer on.Does anyone have any advice as to how to make the best of the situation as cutting the nails isn't really an option, or should I just continue this way and just build up the strength even more, though this will develop bad technique. My family came from Cork a long time ago, pre Rev...any Kirkland's still around? Curious. Thanks.
Members Shifty Eyes Posted December 29, 2008 Author Members Posted December 29, 2008 My family came from Cork a long time ago, pre Rev...any Kirkland's still around? Curious. Thanks. Don't know any I'm afraid. Sorry
Members c+t in b Posted December 29, 2008 Members Posted December 29, 2008 i was at this point a few years back. its one or the other if you need your nails really long. it also depends on your tapping motion. i pull up. pushing down might allow more nail
Members Li Shenron Posted December 29, 2008 Members Posted December 29, 2008 Maybe there isn't a solution. Cut one nail (index or middle for tapping) and replace it with an artificial nail when playing the acoustic?
Members RedYagiDY Posted December 29, 2008 Members Posted December 29, 2008 What could possibly be the reason why "cutting them isn't an option"? Gotta make sacrafices for your art, just the nature of the beast.
Members Li Shenron Posted December 29, 2008 Members Posted December 29, 2008 What could possibly be the reason why "cutting them isn't an option"? Gotta make sacrafices for your art, just the nature of the beast. I think we all assume he needs them for fingerpicking with the acoustic... It might not be absolutely necessary, but many acoustic players use long nails.
Members pinkzep52 Posted December 30, 2008 Members Posted December 30, 2008 Learn to tap with your pinky . Unless you have your pinky nails grown out as well. I grow out my nails too and I seem to get by with just curving my fingers a little when tapping so i fret with my flesh. But then again i don't tap often at all.
Members Pankot Posted December 30, 2008 Members Posted December 30, 2008 Try tapping with the top knuckle of your index finger. Might hurt to start with, but then so do your left hand finger pads in the beginning...
Members ledzep686 Posted December 31, 2008 Members Posted December 31, 2008 Just don't bend your finger so much that your nail hits the string. Otherwise who cares it won't sound bad if your nail hits. as long as your not tapping 2 hours a day it shouldn't tear your nails up too bad. should be possible without your nail hitting the string though, i can do it! although i don't really tap ever, except to show a student.
Members 1001gear Posted December 31, 2008 Members Posted December 31, 2008 Maybe there isn't a solution.Cut one nail (index or middle for tapping) and replace it with an artificial nail when playing the acoustic? Alaska picks maybe.
Members DeadNight Warrior Posted January 1, 2009 Members Posted January 1, 2009 I keep my nails long for fingerpicking, so I'll tell you my slightly ridiculous solution for tapping. Mind you, I only ever need one finger to tap, I'm no Sir Wankalot or anything. My nails are generally maybe 2mm past the end of my finger. Much longer than that and playing in general becomes a rather retarded affair for me. I use my middle finger for tapping, but of course the nail was hitting the strings and whatnot, which isn't the most comfortable feeling. So now as well as shaping one side of my nails for fingerpicking, I now also cut my middle finger nail diagonally on the other side. So I still have my nail for fingerpicking, but the diagonal cut makes it more like if I'd cut my nails right down for tapping. It's just a matter of tapping slightly over to that side of the finger (still sounds and feels solid) to avoid the remaining long part of the nail hitting the strings or frets or whatever.
Members DStreur Posted January 2, 2009 Members Posted January 2, 2009 I usually super glue the tips of my nails. I find that it sounds fuller, and my nails won't break as easily when tapping on my acoustic.
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