A few points to keep in mind, from a practical (not historical) position:
1) Everyone's fingers and fingertips are shaped differently. I have
relatively long, skinny fingers: I literally can't play without some
nail. Even if I clip them as short as comfortably possible, I still get
a little nail sound.
2) I stopped playing classical guitar a couple of years ago and filed
(then just clipped) my nails as short as possible. It takes several
weeks to adjust to getting a good, consistent sound. I spent quite alot
of time just playing open strings (free stroke on fingers, rest stroke
on thumb, little finger down) and concentrating on tone. I found it a
completely different technique than my classical guitar training.
3) It takes a bit of time to develop pads on the fingertips, reinforced
with a tiny bit of nail, in my case, but I think the sound is worth it.
In short: I don't think you can just cut your nails, try a few pieces
and decide: "Yuk, this doesn't work!" You have to be willing to adjust
to a new technique. But of course, we all have to be willing to compromise!
Again: I'm not saying right or wrong, just that I experimented, took
some time with it, and made the adjustment. Occasionally, I let my nails
grow a little bit for a different sound, especially on theorbo, but I
keep them short 90% of the time. One thing you can't argue with: short
nails make yardwork or household chores alot easier!
Gary
Dr. Gary R. Boye
Professor and Music Librarian
Appalachian State University
On 12/10/13, 1:44 PM, [email protected] wrote:
I normally play with nails due to being primarily a CG-ist. Wanting
to record some videos on my baroque guitar, because I'm away from
guitars for 4 weeks, and because a broken nail decided the issue, I
filed the rest away. First time in 31 years with no nails!
Well I found it makes the BG much easier to play little finger down,
and more appropriate sounding to me.
But dear me the old CG sounds and feels dreadful without nails, so they
are officially growing again from last Sunday night, when recording
finished.
Stephen
--- Original message ---
Subject: [LUTE] Re: Bream Collection... I just noticed
From: "Mayes, Joseph" <[email protected]>
To: Bruno Correia <[email protected]>, List LUTELIST
<[email protected]>
Date: Tuesday, 10/12/2013 6:30 PM
I play the lute, archlute and vihuela with nails for the same reason
that I
play the classical guitar with nails: because it sounds better!
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