James Taylor Guitar Lesson One: "NAILS 101" (high resolution)

[brianpaulterrell]

Hey everybody the tape he uses might be at HOME DEPOT: QEP 50 ft. Backerboard Seam Tape Roll

Model # 99600 Internet # 100645273 Store SKU # 941630

[countryjohn]

Been going to the salon for years, always a chuckle when they do only one hand but still charge for TWO. This looks like it will work for me, thanks for R&D'ing this, I am certain it took some time JT.

[zebratangozebra]

Dang...never knew that you played with your nails

I had an old tab/music book of yours dating back to the 70's I think

Had Carolina and most of the songs from your first album

Was some decent tab in it

Some of them I could get.

But mostly I could never catch your sound on the good ones like Somethings Wrong

Guess I am just making excuses

Finding out now that you play with your nails leaves me wondering

Now I am wondering if the reason is you play with your nails and I use the tips of my fingers

[JosephPTremblay]

James, you never see an artist do something like this...what a blessing

As a young strictly acoustic player, you are one of my biggest influence, both in playing and songwriting. I can remember growing up with my mom playing carolina in my mind on loop.

i have been learning to cover your songs and to see country road and little wheel lessons on here by YOU made my day.

Thanks for the help and inspiration and I would love to see more when you have the time!!!

[creekhed1]

2:11 LOL



[greasemonkey1228]

James, if you ever read this page, please advise where i can pick up that fiberglass tape you talk about. i've been to a number of hardware stores and nobody seems to know exactly what i'm talking about. thanks

[eutoober]

I want to thank you for taking the time and trouble to make this video demonstrating your technique for nail repair and enhancement. I've been doing a similar thing for years too, using a slightly different method, but basically the same. It's tremendously validating to have someone of your reputation make the effort to support fingerstylists in our efforts to create beautiful music.

[rowbocaster]

Thanks so much for sharing! I finally found the correct fiberglass tape. If you go to the beauty supply shop and ask for fiberglass mesh to do a nail "wrap" you'll get the right tape. These work great because they aren't as thick as fake nails or acrylic and are very much like real fingernails. I'm so glad you posted this, I've been fighting my nails for a long time. If you need the glue to dry faster, there is a dryer spray you can get as well. It gets a little hot at first!

[BazBuzinkum]

Confused. Is he just reinforcing the existing nail with fiberglass mesh and nail glue, like bondo on a car? He never actually attaches a fake nail. How does he make the edges so long and fine as seen in his other lesson vids?

[pauladrianwarren]

James a fine and helpfull video :-) where does one get hold of adhesive fiberglass tape ??best wishes paul adrian warren

[bestbuskers]

Ahoy there James -

Thankyou - man you have " nailed " my problem & hit the nail on the head ! ! !

I play 3 string cigar box guitar with heavy gauge strings which have minced the nails on my index and middle digits. As a fulltime busker playing 10 - 20 hours per week I needed to address the problem - This video helped greatly - Thanks again .

[ahhboo222]

I've been looking for the fiberglass tape, but I haven't found anything like it. Can you provide a product name or part number? Thanks! You were my original inspiration to start playing guitar in 1974 while in high school. "Oh Susana" was the first song I learned. It's been a real joy to listen to your work over the years, attend the occasional concert, and muddle my way through learning to play and sing your songs.

[ahhboo22]

I've been looking for the kind of tape you use. Could you provide a little more detail?

[moviecrafter]

nice video man! thanks for this great lesson!

[tritone12]

thanks James.

just got 2 nails on at a salon. first time.

I am astonished at how easy it was. and at how amazingly well it works.

have not touched up yet. should probably get a kit like yours.

thanks again,

Charlie

[attybong]

what's the name/brand of that sort of fiber glass tape where can i but it? please help

[zebratangozebra]

Fascinating

Where do you get the fiberglass tape ?

[milindrakulugammana]

Nail care lessons from James Taylor himself. I love the internet.

[fcontitwo]

---Thanks ,Sweet Baby James. !!!,,,, :D

[bahagan]

this is about the craziest thing I have ever watched.........It's like finding out Burt Reynolds wears a toupe - the details are hilarious. Don't know why I found this so funny, but thank you very much. I still love you, even more now that you have shared your successful nail theory with your fans. I am going to try this on my seven year old grandson so he wil stop picking his nails - except I'll tell him it's so he can play a guitar like you. Barbara

[Flashpointfilmsusa]

Have you tried the new gel coat on your nails?

[marnalah]

James... thanks so much for this! Have struggled with wimpy nails for decades. Where does one buy the adhesive fiberglass tape?

[chelsievannoordt07]

Ok, I feel stupid...this is not the first lesson I was referring to on my previous post...I will look around before replying again!!! lol Love the nail tips! Again, you are amazing.

[Peeb62]

Did NOT know that nails were such an integral part of finger-style guitar (I'm self-taught so no one told me!). Fantastic vid.

[lewisle88]

A close up camera shot of the completely coated, dried, finished & smoothed nail would have been nice ... to show his finished reinforcement of that thumb nail.

[willspires]

Wow! Like, who knew? Yo, how did Robert Johnson and Leadbelly and Andres Segovia Ever get ALONG without this stuff???!!!! Think of the music they could have made. People would STILL be talking about them. z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z

[marnalah]

Hi James! Thanks so much for this! Have been struggling with wimpy nails for decades. Where does one get the fiberglass tape?

[brianpaulterrell]

@marnalah this might be it available at home depot: QEP 50 ft. Backerboard Seam Tape Roll

Model # 99600 Internet # 100645273 Store SKU # 941630

[downhill240]

I had no idea you were here Mr. Taylor! I love your music and the way you carry yourself man! I'm going to subscribe right now!!

[TheKillerFabivs]

I love your music, you're an awesome man

[Lowden025]

James, I ve wondered for a long time how you did your nails. Whole bunch of ways to do them and I ve decided I like yours the best. One question though, do you let them fall or take them off when they begin to unglue or do you just glue them down again? Thanks for all the cool vids on your site. Been a life long fan.

[caseypop]

what a gift, thanks for sharing....your example of generosity/of sharing how you play so wonderfully is so generous...This gives me ideals how I might share something in the best way...to be generous in my own way... thanks...

[cherrytelejazzer]

James, this video is a treasure! It also frustrates the heck out of me because I don't know where to procure the contents of your nail kit. I can't find that kind of tape at all on any of the Beauticians' Supplies websites I have searched. Taking a bit of a leap of imagination, I remember "Two Lane Blacktop" and can't help wondering if you aren't using a Corvette body repair kit ?

[reggaemash]

I'll have to admit, I think enjoyed that. Mostly because you (or the editor) kept it interesting. Also liked seeing your "Barn". Thanks.

[jack34695]

Thanks.. I needed this tip. I totally appreciate the lessons. Thank you very much.

Michael

[jrherma]

What a generous thing to do Mr. Taylor. My daughter, who adores your music and is beginning a career as a songwriter (she's 17) has been looking for an answer to the nails issue for months (she found your video and told me about it). This is great! Thank you :)

[bastardsonofretkillr]

Thanks JT my wife just put a set of fiberglass nails on me, works like a charm!!!...

[awbizness1]

tough as nails

[normspot]

Where would you get that tape he describes

What's it called?

Also, what specific kind of glue is he talking about?

[COALslaw]

this rules. james taylor rules. guitar rules.

[jovations]

Mr. James Taylor - what a pleasure it is to see such an artist as you give some nice down-to-earth tips, in such a simple and honest manner. This is greatly appreciated.I am an organic farmer who also plays guitar, and have had no end to troubles due to nail breaking. I always wonder how farmers manage to keep their guitar nails, and have tried different things, much as you. You are right in citing the negatives aspects of use of chemicals - and in this aspect, I have found that eating greens

[jooleyen]

Great. I've been looking for this lesson from you for a few years now. Even before you made it!

Thanks

[jodesa53]

Wow...James, you are the bomb. Thank you so much. I went through a phase that I wore fake finger nails for beauty and I always asked for one hand to be shorter because of the the guitar. So much fun to know your secrets.

[AnnieFannieMay]

Fascinating - thanks for sharing this esoteric knowledge. A very engineering and creative process derived I'm sure from years of emperical experiment . Secrets of your trade!

[angelgirls1980]

What a great idea! My husband plays the guitar and will appreciate the tip. Especially coming from you! Please never stop playing. You're the best! Blessings to you and yours. Patty