To grow nails for fingerpicking, keep them 1 to 2 millimetres past the fingertip, file them into a rounded shape, and strengthen them with a nail hardener or by keeping them short enough not to break. The nail should be smooth, so it plucks the string cleanly, without catching or snagging.
How do you grow nails for fingerpicking?
To grow nails for fingerpicking, keep them 1 to 2 millimetres past the fingertip, file them into a rounded shape, and strengthen them with a nail hardener or by keeping them short enough not to break. The nail should be smooth, so it plucks the string cleanly, without catching or snagging, and the shape should be rounded, following the curve of the fingertip, so the nail meets the string at an angle, and the string slides off the nail, instead of catching on it. The nails are used on the picking hand, the right hand for a right-handed player, and they are the index, middle, and ring fingers, and sometimes the thumb, although the thumb is often played with the flesh, not the nail. The nails give a clearer, brighter sound than flesh alone, because the nail is hard and the flesh is soft, and the string vibrates more cleanly when it is plucked by a hard surface. The C major guitar chord and the G major guitar chord are the chords most players first fingerpick with nails, and the metronome keeps the beat steady.
How fingerpicking nails work
A fingerpicking nail works by plucking the string with the nail, instead of with the flesh, so the string is released cleanly, and the note is clear and bright. The finger moves towards the palm, and the string slides along the nail, from the flesh to the tip, and then off the tip, and the string vibrates, and the note rings. The nail must be smooth, because a rough nail will catch the string, and the note will be harsh, and the nail must be shaped, because a nail that is too long will catch, and a nail that is too short will not reach the string. The shape of the nail matters as much as the length: a rounded nail, following the curve of the fingertip, will meet the string at an angle, and the string will slide off the nail smoothly, while a square nail will meet the string flat, and the string will catch on the corner. The nail should be filed, not cut, because filing gives a smooth edge, and cutting gives a rough edge, and the file should be fine, not coarse, so the nail is smooth. The D major guitar chord and the A major guitar chord are the chords the nails are built on.
Worked example — shaping a nail for fingerpicking. Hold a fine nail file, and file the index finger nail into a rounded shape, following the curve of the fingertip, with the nail 1 to 2 millimetres past the fingertip, and the edge smooth, without any rough spots. Play a C major chord with the P-I-M-A pattern, and listen: the notes are clear and bright, because the nail plucks the string cleanly, and the string slides off the nail smoothly. Now file the nail a little shorter, and play again, and listen: the notes are softer, because the flesh is plucking the string, not the nail, and the sound is warmer, but less clear. The length and the shape are a balance, and the player must find the balance that gives the sound they want. The I–V–vi–IV progression in C major is a good progression to practise the nails with.
How to practise growing nails for fingerpicking
Practise growing nails by keeping them at the right length and shape, and by playing with them every day, so the nails and the fingers learn to work together.
- File your nails into a rounded shape, 1 to 2 millimetres past the fingertip, with a fine file, and keep the edge smooth, without any rough spots.
- Practise the P-I-M-A pattern on a C major chord, and listen for the notes to be clear and bright, because the nail plucks the string cleanly.
- Play the I–V–vi–IV progression in C major with your nails, and listen for the sound to be clear and bright, on every chord.
- Use a nail hardener, or keep your nails short enough not to break, and repair a broken nail with a silk wrap or a false nail, so the playing does not stop.
- Practise with the metronome at 60 beats per minute, and increase the tempo by 5 beats per minute when the pattern is steady at the current tempo.
Common mistakes
- Growing the nails too long — A nail that is too long will catch on the strings, and it will break, and the note will be harsh, because the string is caught, not plucked. Keep the nail 1 to 2 millimetres past the fingertip, and no longer, so it plucks cleanly and does not break.
- Cutting the nails instead of filing them — Cutting gives a rough edge, and a rough edge will catch the string, and the note will be harsh. File the nails, with a fine file, so the edge is smooth, and the string slides off the nail cleanly.
- Ignoring a broken nail — A broken nail will catch the string, and the note will be harsh, and the player will compensate by plucking harder, which will break the nail more. Repair a broken nail, with a silk wrap or a false nail, or file it short, and the playing will stay clean.
Quick reference
This table shows the sound and the risk for three nail lengths, so you can find the length that gives the sound you want without breaking. The nail should be long enough to pluck the string cleanly, and short enough not to catch or break, and the balance is 1 to 2 millimetres past the fingertip.
| Nail length | Sound | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Too short (flesh only) | Soft and warm | No risk, but less clear |
| 1–2 mm past the fingertip | Clear and bright | Low risk, best balance |
| Too long (3 mm or more) | Harsh, catches the string | High risk, breaks easily |
Use the table to find your nail length: start at 1 to 2 millimetres past the fingertip, file the nails into a rounded shape, and listen for the notes to be clear and bright. When you can play with your nails cleanly, without catching or breaking, you have the right length, and the nails are yours.
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow nails for fingerpicking?
Keep them 1 to 2 millimetres past the fingertip, file them into a rounded shape, and strengthen them with a nail hardener or by keeping them short enough not to break. The nail should be smooth, so it plucks the string cleanly, without catching or snagging.
How long should fingerpicking nails be?
1 to 2 millimetres past the fingertip, which is long enough to pluck the string cleanly, and short enough not to break or catch. A nail longer than that will catch on the strings, and a nail shorter than that will not reach the string.
Do I need nails on my thumb too?
Not usually. The thumb is often played with the flesh, not the nail, because the thumb plays the bass strings, and the flesh gives a warmer, rounder bass sound. Some players use a thumbpick, which is a pick worn on the thumb, and it gives a brighter bass sound.
What if my nails keep breaking?
Keep them shorter, use a nail hardener, and avoid using your nails as tools, for opening things or scratching, because the nails are for playing, not for work. A silk wrap or a false nail can repair a broken nail, so the playing does not stop.
Can I fingerpick without nails?
Yes. Bare fingers give a softer, warmer sound than nails, and many players prefer it, especially for folk and blues. Nails give a clearer, brighter sound, and flesh gives a softer, warmer sound, and the choice is the player's.