Nail Care and Repair for Guitarists

This is a tutorial that describes how to get a great right hand sound on the guitar. The technique uses glue, acyrlic powder powder, and 400 sandpaper to thicken and smooth the nails. The method is simple, quick, and inexpensive.

Check my songs out on www.reverbnation.com/tomhanlon.

Thanks!
Tom

Category:

Education

Tags:

• classical
• guitar
• lesson
• free
• video
• music
• theory
• nails
• composition
• nylon
• string
• acoustic
• nail
• care
• repair
• tone
• hanlon
• tom hanlon
• nail care

[pubmgr]

I don't have a recommendation that I can speak to first hand. My daughter (licensed cosmetologist) was just describing artificial nails. I think this would work. But, as she describes it, the technique requires some expertise/training. But, because I find the sound and touch of the right hand so important, I would urge checking it out. Getting a good tone is so important.

If anyone else has had success dealing with this problem, please chime in.

[pubmgr]

Excellent. Glad to hear that you've had success. It's not always clear sailing, with edges chipping sometimes, and the occasional lump/bumpy application. But I find the powder and glue to be a lifesaver.

[HillbillyJ]

What does the glue do to the nail? Seems like that would be bad for it.

[pubmgr]

The glue goes on only at the end of the nail, maybe 3/8 of an inch. So it's not near the growing end of the nail at all. The nails doesn't seem to suffer any harm by having the glue on it. BUT, if part of the glue "pops" off, you have to be very careful, either peeling the rest off or simply reapplying a layer of glue and powder on the that area. Otherwise you do run the risk of tearing the nail as you pull off the glue.

[gobacktorussia]

presumably taking vitamins and minerals to promote nail growth and strength would help?? might give a boost

[pubmgr]

It's a good question; and I don't know the answer. People were talking, many years ago, about eating more gelatin to thicken the nails. Anyone out there able to speak to this? Or about other supplements that are shown to strengthen nails?

[rustythoughts]

@ottou22 They still use super glue in hospitals, particularly for facial cuts where they want precision to reduce scarring by avoiding stitches. I had my lip glued, they don't go into the wound but bridge over the top. The glue heats up as it cures and as the cut filled and the skin around grew the glue simply fell off.

[kenp3L]

My problem isn't breakage; it's undesired curving. The thumb nail, e.g., once it grows past the nail bed, curves down toward the padded side of the thumb. This causes two problems. First, since the nail is so close to the flesh, there is a good chance that it will slip over the string without a substantial pluck. Second, due to the angle of curvature, sometimes the nail gets caught onto the string. What can be done to change the shape of an otherwise good nail?

[ottou22]

@jagara1 Exactly. Super glue was used in wars to seal bleeding wounds. As long as people don't put in in their eyes or eat it its fine.

[jagara1]

To those people who are concerned about applying glue to their nails:

I think superglue was first developped for surgical use.

It was certainly used in the field in Vietnam to seal wounds - so no problems with applying superglue to your body :)

[LapizLazuli333]

I just got done doing my nails with this method and i just have to say AWESOME!!!!. I used a different glue and acrylic powder but it came out just fine. I will definitely be doing this more often thanks pubmgr

[lurker62]

The reservation I would have about eating gelatin products is that it will first be broken down into its constituent amino acids before being absorbed, so I can't believe you have gained anything.

Just my $0.02

[SeasaltMermaid]

I get pro salon tips placed on my PIMA fingers and then shape them myself.

It seems to be working fine. My teacher and many other guitarists I know do this. Having just four nails done is dirt cheap (less than fifteen and I'm a big tipper) and they last at least two to three weeks.

Why would anyone go without playing for two weeks when it's so easy to get them done professionally (a single nail repair might cost $5 to $8)?