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Table of Contents
How long should nails be for ukulele?
For softer volume and texture, I use the fleshy part of my thumb for downstrokes, instead.” “My nails are all about the same length—1/16-inch past my actual finger tip. This allows me to just clip the string with the nail, to allow the pad of my finger to be most of what hits the string.
Should I cut my nails for ukulele?
For accurate fretting, you want to keep the fingernails on that hand trimmed short. For the strumming hand, well, the first step is easy – dont cut or bite them! For many though, that wont be enough as the nails need to be strong too.
Does ukulele hurt your fingers?
You will most likely get callouses or blisters on tips of your fretting hand fingers from the pressing of the ukulele strings, and you may also get cramps or aches in your hand from making chord shapes.
How to play a ukulele with long nails
I can’t recommend much for the pain. I’m afraid this is something you just have to go through and it’s awful. You will most likely get calluses or blisters on the fingertips of your annoying hand from pressing the ukulele strings, and you may also get cramps or pain in your hand when doing chord shapes. The latter is also completely natural – you make your fingers take and hold positions that they are not used to, your muscles and tendons need to be learned and strengthened. I have your understanding and would urge you to stick with it. It gets easier and it would be such a shame for a beginner to give up the ukulele just because of sore fingers. Nevertheless, I can give you a few tips.1. Work out! It’s really obvious, stay tuned to harden those fingertips and strengthen your hand. If the pain is severe, try exercising for shorter periods but more frequently. Practicing uke just once a week will make it a long, hard drudgery!2. Find other strengthening exercises – some people swear by those grippy machines mountaineers use to strengthen their fingers, but these squeezable stress balls work well. Practice your fingering by squeezing these together when you’re not playing your ukulele. A friend swears by kneading bread dough as good exercise!3. Stretches – In addition to building strength, your gripping hand needs to be flexible. Whenever you’re not playing your uke, try to introduce finger stretches into your day as often as possible4. Leave the bubbles alone! – Blisters can develop on your fingertips, which are both unsightly and painful. Don’t pop them and don’t pick them! Players of all stringed instruments develop calluses of harder skin on their fingertips, which very often prevent this from happening. Resist the urge! One tip I’ve heard about this is to dip your fingertips in denatured alcohol for about 10 minutes a few times a day – this stuff hardens the skin. Also, don’t be tempted to apply band-aids and then play, they will interfere with your learning and accuracy in placing chord shapes. It’s really all about breaking the barrier, and when you do that you’ll forget the pain and barely feel the strings as you play. Keep it up! The ukulele is worth it! There is a beginner’s guide to finger stretching exercises – here
Is playing ukulele hard?
Is the ukulele an easy instrument to learn? YES! The ukulele is a great first instrument because it only has four strings, frets make it easy to play in tune, and it is easy to play lead lines or rhythm parts on any song. Don’t make beginner mistakes!
How to play a ukulele with long nails
You don’t need a KLOS ukulele for this guide to be extremely useful, but having a great instrument makes learning easier! Check out our carbon fiber ukuleles, read a review from GotAUkulele.com, or just take a second to follow us on Instagram!
patience
Follow these simple steps and you’ll be jamming along to your favorite song in no time. However, don’t be afraid to take breaks and embrace mistakes as learning opportunities.
Pick or finger picking?
Whether you use a plectrum or finger picking on the ukulele is up to you. There are successful players who use both styles. If you come from the guitar world and are comfortable with a pick, there’s no reason not to keep using a pick.
Many ukulele players love the organic feel of fingerstyle playing. Strumming is more intuitive and over time you will find that more complicated lines are easier to execute.
poll
The standard tuning for a ukulele is GCEA. Start each practice session by tuning your ukulele. Training your ears is an important element of learning to play the ukulele. Download a strobe tuner app to your phone or use YouTube for a tuning reference. Out-of-tune notes sound sour and out of phase, while out-of-tune notes ring out clearly.
If you ever turn your tuning knob and the string doesn’t change pitch, you are most likely turning the wrong knob. Everyone has made this mistake at some point, but make sure you catch yourself before the string breaks. Once your ukulele is in tune, it’s time to start making music.
Basic chords
Chords are the building blocks of all music. Luckily, chords on the ukulele are made very easy. Although there are hundreds of different ways to play chords, beginners should learn these simple chords first. Once you master these, you can jam at any ukulele gathering.
C major / C ukulele chord
Fret 3: Position finger 3 on the lowest string (A string).
A minor / On ukulele chord
Fret 2: Use finger 2 to fret the G string.
F major / F ukulele chord
Fret 1: Use finger 1 to fret the E string.
Fret 2: Use finger 2 to fret the G string.
G major / G ukulele chord
Fret 2: Place finger 1 on the C string and finger 2 on the A string.
Fret 3: Position finger 3 on the E string.
A major / A ukulele chord
Fret 1: Position finger 1 on the C string.
Fret 2: Use finger 2 to fret the G string.
E minor / Em ukulele chord
Fret 2: Use finger 1 to fret the A string.
Fret 3: Place finger 2 on the E string.
Fret 4: Place finger 3 on the C string.
D major / D ukulele chord
Fret 2: Place fingers 1, 2, and 3 on the G, C, and E strings.
D minor / Dm ukulele chord
Fret 1: Use finger 1 to fret the E string.
Fret 2: Use finger 2 to fret the G string while fringing the C string with finger 3.
E major / E ukulele chord
Fret 1: Use finger 1 on the G string.
Fret 2: Place finger 2 on the A string.
Fret 4: Use finger 4 to fret the C string.
F# / Gb minor / Gbm ukulele chord
Fret 1: Press down on the C string with finger 1.
Fret 2: Use finger 2 to fret the G string and finger 3 to fret the E string.
B minor / Bm ukulele chord
Fret 2: Fret across the C, E, and A strings with finger 1.
Fret 4: Place finger 3 on the G string.
strumming pattern
Just keep it stupid! All we’re talking about is downbeats and upbeats, right?
The strumming hand determines whether you are on beat or not. Concentrate on playing in time!
Top strumming pattern
Practice these strumming patterns slowly at first. Use a metronome. First play a strumming pattern with open strings, then play the pattern with a chord, and then apply the strumming pattern to a chord progression.
youtube
YouTube is a phenomenal resource for learning. Lots of great teachers post content for free, including tech lessons and covers of popular songs. Join live playalongs or troubleshoot your ukulele. There’s no better time to learn the ukulele and YouTube is the perfect tool to accelerate your learning.
exercise techniques
Perfect practice makes perfect. I bet you’ve heard this before, but it’s certainly true when it comes to learning the ukulele. Every mistake you make subconsciously teaches your brain to make that mistake again. It’s tempting to play along to your favorite songs at full speed, but work your way through your songs slowly at first. It is important to walk before you run.
If you’re new to the ukulele or have trouble sitting down and practicing, try practicing for just 15 minutes a day. You may think it takes an hour or more, but 15 minutes a day is proven to be more effective for learning the ukulele! With 15 minutes of practice a day, you’ll be playing any song you want in no time.
Get to know the ukulele
The ukulele is a very easy instrument to learn. If you’re reading this article, it’s clear that learning to play the ukulele is something you should pursue! Imagine you started years ago. The time is now!
If you found this article useful, please check out our carbon fiber ukuleles and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Does Dolly Parton play guitar with long nails?
“So on the back of the album I have a credit that says, nails by Dolly. ‘” In the same interview, Parton also revealed just how she manages to play her guitar so well with her extreme manicures — you know, because the rest of us mere mortals can barely button up our jeans or open a can of soda with long nails.
How to play a ukulele with long nails
While writing “9 to 5” on the set of the film of the same name, Parton rattled her acrylic paints together to create beats and write lyrics between takes. “After we recorded the song, I brought down all the girls that were on the show and I played with my nails,” she tells Norton. “So on the back of the album I have a note that says nails from Dolly.”
In the same interview, Parton also revealed how she manages to play her guitar so well with her extreme manicures — you know, because the rest of us mere mortals can barely button our jeans or open a can of soda with long nails. “I learned how to work with them,” Parton revealed, flashing her fingernails at the camera. “They work great as picks, I’ve never had a problem with [the right hand] – [the left fingers] are where I have a problem.”
Can you play ukulele with a pick?
Do you need a pick to play ukulele? Traditionally, the ukulele is played with the combination of fingers and fingernails. But while you don’t need one, you absolutely may use one! The pick can be useful at times and it is your instrument after all!
How to play a ukulele with long nails
Do you need a pick to play the ukulele? Traditionally, the ukulele is played with a combination of fingers and fingernails. But while you don’t need one, you absolutely can use one! The plectrum can come in handy sometimes, and it’s your instrument, after all! Let’s explore a little further.
Historically, the first ukulele players did not play with a pick. The traditional technique is to use a combination of fingers and fingernails to pluck and strum individual strings. Traditional Hawaiian rhythms, for example, were always played with the thumb or forefinger, or a combination of both.
As we’ve mentioned in other articles here, this type of technique (finger picking) allows for certain right hand movements, positions, and gestures that are otherwise not possible. It also produces a specific sound that would be different with a plectrum as well. These are the main characteristics of what we know as the normal technique and sound of the ukulele.
So if you’re a stickler for tradition, you don’t need to choose. Keep developing left hand strength and right hand finger picking dexterity and you’re good to go! But if there are any issues that make you wonder whether you need a choice or not, read on because you probably can’t go wrong.
When should you use a pick on the ukulele?
Despite the tradition, ukulele music is now evolving. The instrument is gaining popularity very quickly and it is absolutely inevitable that technology will evolve to keep up with new demands.
We musicians are naturally creative and curious people. Musicians are always trying out new sounds and pushing the technical possibilities further and further. After all, our instruments are our toys! I don’t know of any instrument that hasn’t undergone an evolution at some point in its history.
It’s pretty obvious to me that for the ukulele, using the pick is one such evolution. The main reason is that the instrument is no longer limited to traditional Hawaiian music. Ukulele players now adapt pop and rock songs from the steel-string acoustic guitar played with a plectrum. There are singer-songwriters who sometimes accompany themselves with the ukulele instead of the guitar. Usually this type of ukulele music is performed nicely with a plectrum.
Ukulele ensembles sometimes have one or more of their players play with a pick to create a difference in timbre (i.e., the distinctive sound of a musical instrument). Within such groups, it’s a wonderful idea to use all the possibilities of the instrument – that makes the music interesting and exciting. And it’s the same argument with recordings. Let’s say we have a cool 8 bar strumming pattern floating around. Why not add a pick solo on top? The pick naturally produces a louder sound so the difference between soloing and strumming comes out nice and natural!
There are also very practical reasons. You may want to opt for a pickaxe if your fingernails are weak or take a long time to grow strong. Some people have naturally thin nails and these tend to produce a very metallic sound. If you get that kind of nails and don’t like the sound, the pick might be a good alternative for you. The same problem also applies to people whose fingernails frequently break or become damaged. It’s very frustrating to practice with your nails for weeks or months and then have to wait days for a broken nail to grow back.
What is a ukulele pick?
While you can use guitar picks on a ukulele, you may want to try picks made specifically for the ukulele. The main reason is that many guitar picks tend to be heavier and stiffer.
Most standard picks are plastic and this could damage the ukulele top and wear out the strings fairly quickly. Felt, leather, and rubber ukulele picks avoid this problem because they are smaller and softer.
How do I make a selection?
When choosing a pick, remember that the ukulele is a lightweight instrument and has soft nylon strings, so you don’t really need a heavy pick. For playing rhythm, a thin pick is great because you can keep your arm relaxed and have a lot of freedom and control over the movement of your wrists. For playing chords, a thin pick tends to run smoothly through the strings and create a nice strumming sound.
On a heavier-stringed ukulele, a heavier pick may be better for gripping the strings. The felt plectrum is standard on the baritone ukulele.
But after all, the best choice for you is the one you like the most. Use this article as a guide and buy a few different ones to experiment with (they’re cheap and really worth your time and money!). See what feels and sounds best. Don’t worry if you’re not sure what to look for at first. With practice, you’ll quickly learn what you like and don’t like. First, make sure it feels comfortable and you’re happy with the sound.
So when it comes to making a choice, your options are very diverse. As I just explained, experiment with a few different ones until you find one that feels right to you.
thickness
Picks are available in different gauges: from thin (approx. 0.5 to 0.6 mm), medium (approx. 0.80 mm), heavy (0.80 to 1.20 mm) and extra heavy (1.20 + mm). Thin picks are good for strumming and getting brighter tones. Thick picks require more finger strength but are useful for faster music and solo playing.
material
In addition to thickness, experiment with materials. A common material is of course plastic, but I highly recommend you try felt picks and rubber picks as well. Felt picks are made from thick and hard pieces of felt. Many people enjoy them for strumming. Rubber picks are enjoyed for the softer sound, but they wear out pretty quickly, so you might want to save these for a special song!
shape
There are all sorts of fancy shapes for picks, but the real choice is between sharper and rounder tips. Sharper points tend to produce a brighter tone and are useful for solo playing. Rounder tips tend to produce a softer tone and are more suited to strumming.
Finger picks and thumb picks
These picks are special because you literally wear them on your fingers just by putting them on. If you like the finger picking technique but are struggling to grow good strong nails then these picks are the perfect solution as they can act as a substitute for the nails.
Will a pick damage my ukulele? You will not damage your instrument with the pick as long as you are careful. If your playstyle is particularly heavy or strong, you can scratch the body, but that’s an extreme and rare case in my experience. To avoid damaging your ukulele, choose one of the lighter picks.
You really don’t need a heavy pick for such a small instrument.
More realistically, the strings lose their luminosity. This is natural and will happen over time anyway. Regardless of whether you play with a plectrum or not, you still need to change your strings every now and then. And please don’t worry about it happening overnight or after a few songs as some musicians seem to think. Even the cheaper strings are much more resilient!
In any case, the instrument should be played! And the strings should sound! Wear and tear is inevitable. Would you buy a book and then not read it for fear of buckling the spine? I would not! I really enjoy those little marks and patches around my favorite sites that show me how much I’ve enjoyed and learned from them. This also applies to my instruments.
So with all that being said, go ahead and buy some picks! There are no rules to playing and picking a selection. Experiment for yourself and see what feels good. Find out what suits your playing style and what helps you create a sound you enjoy!
Have fun practicing!
Can I play ukulele with small hands?
The soprano is the smallest and lightest uke size we offer, with the shortest scale and the tightest fret spacing. The soprano ukulele is ideal for younger players and those with smaller hands and fingers, making this size often the best beginner ukulele for kids.
How to play a ukulele with long nails
SOPRANO
The size of the soprano ukulele is probably what most people picture when they think of the ukulele. It’s the most common size and makes the classic, traditional ukulele sound. The Soprano is the smallest and lightest uke size we offer, with the shortest scale length and closest fret spacing. The soprano ukulele is ideal for younger players and players with smaller hands and fingers, often making this size the best beginner ukulele for kids. Nevertheless, the soprano is still suitable for players of all skill levels and sizes. Because of its body size, it has a brighter, smoother tone with less projection and resonance than the larger sizes. We also offer a longer neck soprano ukulele size for those who want the traditional ukulele sound and also want more frets and fret spacing. The pineapple shape is a variation on the soprano size designed by Samuel Kamaka in the 1920s. The waist of a pineapple ukulele’s body is eliminated to increase the surface area of the soundboard for a fuller sound. Standard ukulele tuning G/C/E/A applies to soprano size.
CONCERT
The concerto is the next step up from the greatness of the soprano. The scale length of the concert ukulele is about 2.5 cm longer, the neck is slightly wider and slightly heavier overall than the soprano ukulele. The extra length allows for more frets with greater spacing between them. The concert size is great for players of all skill levels or experience levels, but may be more comfortable for players with slightly larger hands and fingers. Because the concert ukulele is slightly larger, it has a fuller sound and a warmer tone with more mids than the soprano ukulele. Concertos are also projected better than the sopranos, making the overall volume a bit louder. Standard ukulele tuning G/C/E/A applies to concert size.
TENOR
Tenor is the next step up from concerto in size. The scale length of the tenor ukulele is about five centimeters longer, the neck is slightly wider and overall slightly heavier than the Concert. The extra length allows for greater spacing between the frets. This makes tenor ukuleles suitable for finger picking. The tenor size is the most popular among professional players, but is great for any skill level or level of experience. A tenor ukulele can be even more comfortable than the concert size for those with larger hands and fingers. The larger size gives the tenor a deeper, fuller sound with a resonant, almost bassy tone. The tenor ukulele also projects better than the concert, making the volume a bit louder. Standard ukulele tuning G/C/E/A applies to tenor size.
Tenor XL
The Tenor XL is a newer style of ukulele that has grown in popularity in recent years. This unique size is larger than a traditional tenor ukulele. It offers even more comfort for those with larger hands. Our Tenor XL models have a longer neck, longer body, and wider bottom bracket than traditional Tenor ukuleles. The longer neck is 19″ scale length and better suits the wider lower bout/longer body of this size ukulele. The Tenor XL also has a deeper and warmer tone with more resonance due to its larger bottom bout size. Another benefit of this size increase is excellent string spacing and louder projection than traditional tenor-sized ukuleles. The standard tuning of G/C/E/A still applies to the Tenor XL size; However, they are traditionally strung with a low-G string.
BARITONE
Baritone is the next step up in size from tenor. The baritone ukulele has the longest scale length – about three inches longer than the tenor ukulele – with the widest fret spacing of any size we offer. A baritone’s neck is also wider than a tenor’s. All of these qualities make the baritone ukulele a great type of ukulele for finger picking. The baritone size is ideal for all skill and experience levels, but especially for those with large hands and fingers. The baritone ukulele has the deepest, fullest sound with the lowest end and sounds similar to an acoustic guitar. The baritone’s similarities to the guitar continue with the tuning – D/G/B/E – like the four highest strings on a guitar, making it the easiest type of ukulele to play for those already familiar with the guitar are to be passed.
Hope this helps you get an idea of the features and differences of the different sizes of ukulele we offer! Check out our other posts for more great ukulele guides and don’t hesitate to ask us any questions!
What size uke are you or what type are you planning to get? What else do you look for in a ukulele? Let us know on social media @kalabrandmusic!
Can you play guitar with long fingernails?
With so many options out there, there’s no reason why you can’t play guitar and keep your long nails if you really want to. You’ll just have to adjust how you pick your strings, fret your chords and tune your strings. You may not be able to fret extended chords or incorporate advanced lead guitar techniques.
How to play a ukulele with long nails
For many players, that’s not a big deal. But what if you work as a manicurist? Or what if beautiful hands are essential to your look? Does that mean you should give up?
Of course not! There are many ways to play guitar that sound good (or even better) with long nails.
Believe it or not, a manicure doesn’t have to stop you from learning to play the guitar.
Before we look at these nail-saving strategies, it’s helpful to consider why your teachers are telling you to trim your nails. This will help you decide if your manicure is worth keeping, especially if you want to learn more advanced techniques.
Why cut your nails?
To get the clearest, richest sound on your guitar, and to be able to switch between chords quickly, it’s easier to keep your nails short – at least on your fret hand.
By applying pressure with your fingertips, you avoid injuring your fingers. You gain more control over your tone by eliminating fret buzz. It also lets you move quickly around the fretboard without having to tediously position your fingertips at the right angle.
Luckily you have a little more wiggle room for your strumming hand. Unless you have Rihanna-type extra-long acrylics, you can hold a pickaxe without losing your grip. But you could accidentally snag a string while fingerpicking, creating an uncomfortable twang.
As a teenager – before I got serious about playing guitar – I loved growing out my natural nails and painting them bright colors. I still paint them today, but make sure they don’t get long enough to disrupt my E-shaped barre chords or legato licks.
When I showed up for my first class with long nails, I was gently told by my instructor that I needed to start trimming them down to my fingertips. At first I was disappointed, but I was willing to make the sacrifice to become a better guitarist. Little did I know that you can really have the best of both worlds if you use the right techniques…
Strategies for long nails
To play guitar with long nails on the strumming hand, the fret hand, or both, you can use the following strategies:
finger picking
Believe it or not, many guitarists prefer longer nails on their strumming hand. This makes fingerstyle playing easier, especially on a classical guitar.
Of course you can also pluck nylon strings with your fingertips. But to increase your volume and lighten your tone, it is better to grow your natural nails or lengthen them with acrylic.
There are no hard and fast rules for classical guitar fingernails. Some musicians keep them just above their fingertips while others grow them until they are up to an inch longer. Some prefer to round them off, shape them flat or sloped, or file them into sharp, pimple-like points. The most important thing is that your strings slide smoothly off your nails as you finger pick.
Unfortunately, heavy steel strings can damage your natural nails. For this reason, many acoustic players wear fingerpicks for protection. Although often associated with banjos, many blues and country guitarists find they add a bright, treble-heavy tone to their songs.
Another popular option for musicians of all genders is wearing acrylic paints on their strumming hand. These can help you play clear, consistent notes. They’re also a lot less clunky to carry than fingerpicks.
Curious about the salon treatment for fingerstyle guitarists? Check out this video.
Angry at a low angle
As you can see, long nails can do wonders when it comes to fingerpicking. But what about your gripping hand?
While it’s harder to get a clear sound when you’re not directly on your fingertips, you can still fret your chords and notes with the flat part of your fingers. All you have to do is press them onto your fretboard at a low angle and keep the edge of your nails well away from the string. You’ll probably have some trouble at first, but with a little practice this will become a lot easier.
Instead of fringing at the fingertips, try fringing at the angle where the fingertips can comfortably press on the strings.
This technique is especially useful for muting unwanted strings. For example, if you’re practicing a rock, blues, or metal song with power chords, you can press your last finger against the strings below to mute them. You can do the same thing in riffs where you only play one string at a time.
When you strum an E string power chord, you don’t have to worry about accidentally hitting your third, second, or first string when you strum. The same principle applies to two-string power chords, where you can also mute the fourth string with your ring finger.
Still, teasing at an angle isn’t the ideal method. It limits the types of chords you can use and slows down your fingerboard dexterity. It can cause joint pain depending on how you build your finger muscles. And while it’s not impossible to fret with extra-long acrylics, it’s a technique not even many musicians have attempted to master.
Dolly Parton is proof that you can have crazy long nails and still fret your standard tuned C and D chords (with a capo). But it takes a lot of practice to play your fingers at such a small angle and still sound loud and clear (0:17-4:11).
If you’re a beginner practicing once a week or less, this probably won’t be a deal breaker. But if you’re serious about learning guitar, it’s better to experiment with some alternate tunings.
Alternate mood
The best way to keep long fingernails on your fringing hand is to switch from the standard EADGBE guitar tuning to an alternate tuning where you can sweep a single finger across your strings.
The most popular option for many musicians with long nails — particularly in the blues, country, and folk scenes — is to play open tuned. This means if you strum all six open strings you will hear a major or minor chord. For example, in Open E (Dolly Parton’s usual tuning), turn EADGBE to EBEG♯BE, giving you an E major. Other common options are Open D (DADF♯AD) and Open G (DGDGBD).
Let’s say you tuned your guitar to an open D. Putting a finger across all the strings on the first fret gives you a D♯/E♭ major. Drag your finger to the second fret for an E major, to the third fret for an F major, and so on. You can play any major chord this way, just by moving your finger up and down the fretboard.
This Open D demo shows you can still get great sound without destroying your manicure.
The disadvantage of open tuning is that you can’t play extended chords like 7ths or 9ths. But with a strong strumming or fingerpicking rhythm, you can compensate for this lack of variety.
With alternative guitar tunings like Open E and Drop D, you can play major chords or power chords respectively—just by running your index finger across your frets.
Another great option is to use Drop D tuning. By tuning your 6th string down a full note to get DADGBE, you can customize the shape of your E string power chord to match your manicure. Instead of using your index finger to play two frets over the other (or two) on the 6th string, you can use one finger to lock the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings.
For example, if you lock your finger on the first fret of your guitar, you’ll get a D♯/E♭5 power chord. If you swipe your finger on the second, you’ll get an E5, and so on. You can play the rhythm guitar part for many punk and metal songs simply by sliding this finger up and down the fretboard.
Even with Drop D tuning, you may encounter intricate riffs or alternative power chord shapes that make super long acrylics difficult – if not impossible – to play. Also, most of these songs are strummed instead of plucked. But as long as your nails are short enough to grip at an angle and play with a pick, you can still play guitar successfully.
Final Thoughts
With so many options, there’s no reason why you can’t play the guitar and keep your long nails if you really want to. All you have to do is customize how you pick your strings, fret your chords, and tune your strings.
They may not be able to finger more advanced chords or incorporate advanced lead guitar techniques. However, with these minor adjustments, you can become a skilled rhythm guitarist with fingers that look great and play even better.
Does Dolly Parton play guitar with long nails?
“So on the back of the album I have a credit that says, nails by Dolly. ‘” In the same interview, Parton also revealed just how she manages to play her guitar so well with her extreme manicures — you know, because the rest of us mere mortals can barely button up our jeans or open a can of soda with long nails.
How to play a ukulele with long nails
While writing “9 to 5” on the set of the film of the same name, Parton rattled her acrylic paints together to create beats and write lyrics between takes. “After we recorded the song, I brought down all the girls that were on the show and I played with my nails,” she tells Norton. “So on the back of the album I have a note that says nails from Dolly.”
In the same interview, Parton also revealed how she manages to play her guitar so well with her extreme manicures — you know, because the rest of us mere mortals can barely button our jeans or open a can of soda with long nails. “I learned how to work with them,” Parton revealed, flashing her fingernails at the camera. “They work great as picks, I’ve never had a problem with [the right hand] – [the left fingers] are where I have a problem.”
I tried to play ukulele with long acrylic nails *intense*
See some more details on the topic ukulele with long nails here:
How to play a ukulele with long nails – Quora
Music Player of ukulele or the ical guitar prefer keeping long nail for strumming hand and having short nails can make it less shrill sound and may hurt …
Source: www.quora.com
Date Published: 2/19/2022
View: 3384
long nails and holding cords | Ukulele Underground Forum
Does anyone out there have long nails on their left hand (strumming right hand)? A friend of mine wants to learn how to play, …
Source: forum.ukuleleunderground.com
Date Published: 3/26/2021
View: 1086
Does it help to have long fingernails when playing the ukulele?
Yes! It’s not absolutely necessary to have long nails – you can still have a good tone without them, but it makes it much easier.
Source: www.reddit.com
Date Published: 5/13/2022
View: 9909
Nails or No Nails on Ukulele?
When playing with an extended index finger in the traditional of ukulele playing, you make contact with the string on the pad of the …
Source: ukulelecorner.com
Date Published: 10/15/2022
View: 2586
I like having my nails long but I want to play ukulele, what …
Well heres the hard choice ahaha. If you want to play ukulele unfortunately you will have to cut your nails/ take off already done ones. Playing ukulele …
Source: www.question.com
Date Published: 8/29/2022
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Ukulele Beginners tips – Fingernails for ukulele
Dont grow them too long – this will depend on the shape of your fingers, but you only want them so long as to just protrude beyond the flesh of …
Source: www.gotaukulele.com
Date Published: 6/6/2021
View: 1948
Nailing It: A Revealing Look at the Hands of Top Ukulele Players
BY HEIDI SCHWEDBERG | FROM THE UKULELE SUMMER 2018 ISSUE
Music has two basic components: pitch and rhythm, and for the most part these basics are shared between chord progression and the speaking hand. For 90 percent of ukulele players (apologies to the 10 percent of left-handers) the right hand is all about rhythm.
Fingerstyle playing, picking and strumming techniques unique to each player are often reflected in their most intimate tool: their nails. Manicures aren’t just for the spoiled. The demands that musicians place on fingernails are very specific and often have little to do with visual aesthetics.
The first thing you might notice about a ukulele player’s manicure is that it’s crooked. Most serious players have very short nails on their chord hands. As a result, chord hands often look the same. However, the right hand is where things get crazy.
The manicure on a ukulele player’s picking hand can tell you a lot about how they play. Today’s top players bring a wide variety of styles to the ukulele: Hawaiian, classical, vintage swing, jazz, pop, folk, reggae and flamenco.
Here, the women and men of the ukulele’s right hand share the long and short of their rhythm styles and manicure strategies.
HAWAIIAN STYLE
Hawaiian-style playing combines fingerstyle melodies and strumming. These two players use the pinky to stabilize their right hand against the instrument and peck primarily with their index and middle fingers. The thumbnail is a powerful tool that is often held a little longer.
BRYAN TOLENTINO
“With my acrylic nails, I get more articulation that permeates amplified music when I’m performing on stage. When I finish my nails I tell them “thicker than normal” to strengthen them. I usually file both my nails (pointer and middle) as they get longer.”
HERB OHTA JR.
“Shorter is better, but sometimes I let them grow. Do not use nail strengthening products on your nails; Your nail needs to breathe. Instead, drink gelatin tablets or eat lots of jelly.”
CLASSIC
Uke players with a background in classical playing are often trained on the guitar first, developing a strong feel for the string and an awareness of tone.
MIM
“I took classical guitar lessons in high school, so a lot of my choices come from that background. In an ideal world, I’d have longer nails that have an offset curve filed in a bit, but then I’d have to stop sanding saddles, playing in the dirt, and loading donkeys. As a rabid nail biter, it took me about two years to teach myself to just bite my left hand.”
DANI JOY
“I take the classic guitar approach, using the p i m a (thumb, forefinger, middle, or ring) of my right hand. I find it useful to have nails just long enough to cut the strings. I have the “i m a” acrylic additions – with pinky and natural thumb. I noticed that all the guys [at NAMM] have a long thumbnail for picking and tremolos. I’ll try that at the next appointment. I need strong nails that won’t crack after one set and also provide more volume with less effort. Most nail salons don’t shave the surface enough, leaving me with clunky acrylic that muffles my sound. Density doesn’t seem to work that well – I suppose that’s why guitar picks are so thin.”
DANIEL HO
“I studied classical guitar and both my left and right hand technique is classical guitar style. I keep my nails as short as possible so I can feel the threads with my fingertips. I have a lot more control and power with shorter nails and I don’t break them as often. The shape just follows my fingertips. I file them a little every day so they are just the right length.”
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FLAMENCO
Traditional techniques are so detailed and varied that they require a lifetime of study and a handful of armored nails.
DANIEL WARD
“I file each nail differently so it hits the string at the best angle for my hand and gets the smoothest tone. To me this is fairly flat in the middle (but at an angle) and rounded on the sides so the string is plucked right where the meat and nail meet. I archive them all the time. Even the edge of the nail is rounded, allowing the cord to connect and “roll” around the nail. I keep the thumbnail longer so I can use fast flamenco techniques like alzapúa (cross-string flips), double bouncing and some kind of sweep picking.
“Without my acrylic armor, I would break a nail in the first 30 seconds of playing. Even the pinky, since I also tap the back of my nails. My ukulele needs pick plates so I don’t poke holes in the wood – so don’t let me play your ukulele! I’ll scratch it if I’m not really careful.”
JAZZ & POP
The realm of the individualists: strum it, swing it, and bring it!
CASEY MACGILL
“My nails are short because I also play the piano. I prefer short nails. Really long nails scare me. When I play a lot, my strumming breaks my fingernail, even though it’s short, so I go to a nail salon and get a clear fake nail painted on my index fingernail. My strumming is almost always a straight swing strum, downward strokes with my index finger and occasional accents with upward strokes from my thumb (nail). For softer volume and texture, I use the fleshy part of my thumb for swabs instead.”
Sarah Maisel
“My nails are all about the same length – 1/16 inch past my actual fingertip. This allows me to just clip the string with my nail so the fingertip is most of what hits the string. My thumbnail is slightly longer – maybe 1/8 inch past my fingertip. They are my natural nails and I feel very fortunate to have very strong nails.
“Every time I apply nail polish I find my tone changes as I strum it. I’ll totally ruin a nice manicure too, so it’s just a waste of money.”
CRAIG CHEE
“I used to have all my nails a decent length, but eventually fell in love with a softer tone that comes from keeping my fingernails short to the tip. Getting a really warm tone was a lot harder with longer nails. My thumbnail is just a hair longer so I get a very solid tone on the way down (when I hit both my thumb tip and my nail) and have a nice solid hit on the way up with the longer nail. So a lot of us can get that very fast thumbs up and down speed.”
RESONATOR VILLAIN
Don’t try this at home, kids!
DEL REY
“I feel like what I’m doing is really bad to encourage… I get a good sound out of it, but most people don’t.
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“When I first started playing the ukulele with The Yes Yes Boys (double bass, washboard, saxophone and clarinet) I tried bare fingers – blood on the frets. I tried acrylic paints: did you educate yourself about these chemicals? Evil! So I started using the same picks I use on guitar with a smaller thumb pick. I got the volume and crispness I like, but I gave up the down strikes – so all the classic ukulele strmming techniques and rhythm strikes are out. It takes a lot of practice to turn power into sweet sound instead of pick noise. In most cases, a musician’s time would be better spent playing with bare fingers. I often play without a pick for fun and pleasure, when I am just enjoying the instrument for its own sake.”
Nail care tools they can’t live without
Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel: “We love our nail clippers – they’re made in Japan, the brand is Green Bell, and they’re the sharpest, smoothest nail clippers we’ve ever had.”
Herb Ota, Jr.: “Glass files.”
Bryan Tolentino: “Jake introduced me to Nail Sandpaper, but it’s only in Japan!”
Daniel Ho: “When I record, I use foam blocks with four very fine sandpapers.”
Mim: “My best friend sends me a jar of Lush hand cream every year for my birthday. I’m stingy so I only use a little when I feel it’s gone downhill with my hands and I make sure it lasts all year until my birthday rolls around again.
Daniel Ward: “Superglue and baking soda to fix – the flamenco speedball.”
Ukulele Basics: Chords and Harmony is a collection of six easy-to-follow but in-depth lessons on the basics of chords and harmony. Ukulele Magazine instructors and contributors Jim D’Ville and Fred Sokolow, along with the great composer/player Daniel Ho, guide you through simple chord variations, harness the power of specific chords, demystify the famous circle of fifths, and understand moving chord shapes.
Ukulele Beginners tips – Fingernails for ukulele
Another common problem for those starting out in the ukulele is treating their fingernails.
Once grown it is important to keep them in good condition – keep them trimmed to the desired length – do so conscientiously and carefully
Using nail creams and increasing your intake of omega 3 (fatty fish oils) will improve the strength of your nails – and it’s good for you in many other ways!
Don’t let them grow too long – that depends on the shape of your fingers, but you only want them long enough that they just extend past the flesh of your fingertip – so it’s the nail that hits the string first, not the Skin. Keeping them the right length reduces the chance of them breaking on other everyday things.
Periodically buff the flat side of the nail with a buffing pad, keeping the cuticles pushed back.
If you try (and persevere) the above but still experience breakage or soft nails, you may need to consider an artificial fix
Before playing, paint the nails with a clear nail polish. Some brands offer a super strength formula that is super hard
Consider adding a false nail tip or two to whatever fingers you plan to use – sorry folks – head to the nail bar!
The ugly but very workable solution that many guitarists use is this: Cut some single ply pieces of tissue paper into the desired shape. Cover the nail with clear varnish, put the handkerchief on it and let it dry. Build up layers of these sheets and let dry hard each time. This will build up an ugly but strong fake nail. All you then have to do is trim the tip to a nail shape. Hope these tips help you. It takes patience and work in the beginning, but it’s worth it for that wonderful sound.
Much luck
As I said, I don’t really play the ukulele with a pick and prefer to strum with my fingertips – to get a sharper and louder sound it’s really important that you have longer fingernails. If you want to get into fingerpicking, even longer. So how do you go about it? Well, firstly, we’re just talking about growing nails on the strumming hand. For accurate eating, you should trim the fingernails on that hand short. For the jingling hand, the first step is easy – don’t cut or bite it! For many, however, that won’t be enough, as the nails need to be strong too. Nail growers who are first time nail growers may find that their nails are soft or that they break easily when strummed. However, the following tips can help you in this regard. Male readers might cringe at some of the tips as they make me sound like a beautician – the thing is, if you want to fingerstyle nails, you need to grow them AND take care of them
How to play a ukulele with long nails
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