Fingernail as flatpick. Anyone else?

[HOF dad]

Originally Posted by DukeX

If you don't just use the nail and instead use the whole tip of the finger naturally (instead of turning your wrist to use only the nail) you can flail away with both up and down strokes. It may feel weird and awkward at first (and hurt the sensitive skin), but if you can get past that part you will be amazed at how well it works and how good it sounds--with volume. I keep my wrist loose when doing this and can get very aggressive as needed.

I keep my nails clipped close as well.

Thanks Duke. I had to sit down and play to figure out that I do something similar. I can strum up downs quickly but I the down stroke has more of a pick like sound - crisper. The upstroke is from the fingertip so loses some of that oomph. I tried the thumbnail on the upstroke - that would take a lot of practice....feels weird.


Dan

[zmf]

Originally Posted by HOF dad

The only downside for me is it works great on the downstroke not so much on an upstroke.

I found that with just a little bit of index fingernail, and holding the thumb against index like you were holding an actual flatpick, the up and down strokes can sound and feel the same. Which seems surprising to me, since the index fingernail is curved, and should favor a downward stroke.

[Swamp Yankee]

Originally Posted by zmf

I found that with just a little bit of index fingernail, and holding the thumb against index like you were holding an actual flatpick, the up and down strokes can sound and feel the same. Which seems surprising to me, since the index fingernail is curved, and should favor a downward stroke.

If, as you say, you're holding your thumb against the index finger (as with a pick) is it possible that it's actually your thumbnail you're using on the upstroke?

That's how I do it - only I use my middle finger, supporting it with my thumb as if I was holding a pick. Then the thumbnail hits the strings on the upstroke.

[Tony Done]

I started something similar not so long ago, using finger back strokes to emulate bluegrass flatpicking, inspired by Tony Rice. When trying (that being the operative word) to do melody, I use my middle finger for the back stroke, for basic finger brushes I use index and middle.

I've tried leading with a finger downstroke, ala clawhammer banjo, as mentioned by Swamp Yankee, but without success.

[zmf]

Originally Posted by Swamp Yankee

If, as you say, you're holding your thumb against the index finger (as with a pick) is it possible that it's actually your thumbnail you're using on the upstroke?

No, my thumbnail points up a bit.

Someone on this forum has a byline that goes something like:
If you don't play in your style, who will?

Amazing that there are so many different individual styles.

I'm not the speediest player and I use my index fingernail as a flatpick. It won't work for every song, such as when one needs 16th notes on up and down strokes; in those cases I just have to get out the pick. Otherwise I'm much happier using my fingers. I was that kid who never wore shoes either except in winter.

[The Bard Rocks]

And you don't have to worry about the pick falling into the soundhole. If it did, then you'd have a REAL problem.

[email4eric]

I play in this fashion as well. I'm a relatively new player but never have been able to feel comfortable with a pick. I play fingerstyle mostly and do some strumming and flatpicking and do all of that with native digits. It feels much more tactile and natural to me. I haven't at all mastered flatpicking in this regard but I get by well enough.

I do think that a pick would allow for a much greater variety and precision with regard to flat picking specifically and I hope that someday I can learn to do that.

[RRuskin]

Originally Posted by zmf

I usually do some variation of Travis picking with bare fingers on most songs. Somewhere along the line, I started using my index fingernail as a flatpick. Obviously you're not going to get up to bluegrass speed this way, but when I wanted more volume on a few notes, or a different rhythm/syncopation, it seemed to fit.

Anyone else pick up this habit? Haven't seen any players do it. I suppose there's a reason for that.

Quite often.

[grosskate]

Originally Posted by zmf

I usually do some variation of Travis picking with bare fingers on most songs. Somewhere along the line, I started using my index fingernail as a flatpick. Obviously you're not going to get up to bluegrass speed this way, but when I wanted more volume on a few notes, or a different rhythm/syncopation, it seemed to fit.

Anyone else pick up this habit? Haven't seen any players do it. I suppose there's a reason for that.

I don't use any pick anymore. I only use this exact same technic you describe for everything... and I get the same speed as a regular pick anyway. The sound is just different from a pick. I strum with it as well. Once you get the hang of it it's the best technic ever !

I didn't know anyone else was using this technic of mine... interesting !

[Gary in MO]

I use the index finger for picking quite a bit. I actually take advantage of the sound on a couple of my songs. A few months ago for some reason it kept splitting. I cut it down to the nub and when it was growing out it split again. It was pretty frustrating. I've been thinking about that nail hardener some of you all use.

I also use picks but waiting for it to grow was like waiting for Christmas

[AndrewG]

Nope, tried this once but my nail wore down real quick and got painful. No problem playing fingerstyle though where you're mainly playing up strokes.

[Bob Womack]

Yup. I do both this and playing with a pick, depending on the situation. When I'm going back and forth between finger plucked and flatpick I''ll often just go without the pick, especially if I don't have a need for a whole lot o' speed. There are also some single string sounds you can't get without using the fingertips on the right.

Bob

[grosskate]

I had very... very thin and feeble nails... Tried accrylic nails and stuff... Wasn't good and such a pain to make ... I read a comment here of someone trying out food supplement for nails and that it worked great.

Thanks to this person I tried thinking.... well... I'don't believe in it but at least I can give it a try...

Guess what ? Best result and solution ever. Have now strong enough nails to plays in fingerstyle and they never break or split anymore !