WEEK 6: What We've Achieved!!!

Jack Stewart I know this is not an easy one, as I recorded it not too long ago on Tonebase.  I could not play it this well, if I was feeling sick; that's for sure, so Congrats.  It looks like you've got it under your fingers and just need to relax continuing to use the first finger guide.  I added some crescendo/decrescendo and  some non-legato to bass notes ascending and then let it ring at the peak--just a possible suggestion, if interested.  I know you'll get it to your satisfaction very soon.  Feel better!!

Jack Stewart Very nice, Jack.  I really liked this and how you powered through inspite of not feeling at your best. It sounded excellent to me with just some areas that could use a little more legato. 

Barney Thanks Barney. I decided to delete the video. I couldn't stand to listen to it.

I seem to have a harder and harder time playing over these last several months. I have always had problems adjusting to little or no nails. I lose my sense of where my RH fingertips are and I feel I have to use much more force to achieve adequate volume. All of this prevents me from getting anything but a harsh ugly tone. I used to be able to achieve decent tone a year ago so it is a recent development. I don't really know what the solution is. But I will continue.

Thanks again for your suggestions and support.

Dale Needles Thanks Dale. As I just mentioned to Barney, I decided to pull the video because I could not listen to it.

I think my nail problems are the source of my playing problems. I continue to try different solutions but I haven't found any resolution yet. My tone just makes me cringe now. I used to be able to achieve decent tone but I can't anymore. 

I intend to keep doing the challenges but I probably won't post much until I can get a decent recording. If I find a method that shows promise perhaps I will document it in the Practice Diary.

Today I feel I am almost over my flu. I am afraid I didn't have much patience (or concentration) when trying to record the last video and writing the description.

I assume you are back from Portland. I hope all went well and that you avoid this really nasty flu!

Jack Stewart Have you tried GuitarPlayerNails or something like it?  They have been successfully used by Grisha Goryachev as well as Eliot Fisk as well as many others. 

I've never tried it, so I can't offer personal opinion, but may be worth a try if you haven't already done so. 

I hope you can solve this problem soon, because I always enjoy your wonderful playing, humor, and interactions on Tonebase.  Good luck!!

Barney Doporučuji www.guitarnailskit.com, jsou to dočasně - opakovaně použitelné nehty. Existují ve třech tvrdostech a čtyřech velikostech. Doporučuji nejměkčí, dávají tón nerozeznatelný od přirozených nehtů...

JB

Jiří Brodil Jack Stewart Thank you Jiri for this suggestion.  Perhaps it is an option for Jack.

Jack Stewart Have you considered going to a nail salon?  I tore my m fingernail halfway down the quick in early December- painful and debilitating.  My nail salon repaired it with dipped powder and then a clear gel coat.  It lasted 3 weeks until it started lifting and I had to repair it again ($5 each time).  I much prefer my real nails, but a professional repair might be worth trying.  

Barney Jiří Brodil Thanks for your suggestions.

I have actually tried both systems  but both created problems of their own for me. The glue on Guitar Player Nails started to deteriorate my nails and the last time I tried them when one nail came off it tore off the top layer of my already thin nails. I was really hopeful for the Guitar Nails Kit because they were adhesive based and less detrimental for the health of my nails. However, they would frequently come off after a very short time, sometimes even only after a few minutes.

I am currently trying to strengthen my nails (nail hardener) and use them very short. My 'm' and 'a' fingernails don't even extend beyond my fingers, but if I am very precise they seem to work. However it is a real challenge for me to be that precise. It is also very difficult to get a decent tone with my nails so short. I have tried no nails but I didn't like the results I got without nails. But not having to consider my nails at all is certainly attractive.

Marilyn Blodget Thanks for the suggestion Marilyn. I have not tried a professional salon yet. I guess my hesitation is that the purpose of fingernails is very specific to guitar playing and I don't know how to determine if the techniques salons use will be healthy for my nails.

Did you have any of those concerns about what the salon was doing?

Jack Stewart Můj postup při používání guitarnailskit:
1) Nehet zcela opilovat
2) Očistit tamponem s IPA (isopropylalcohol)
3) Místo ke guitarnailskit přiložené lepenky použít oboustrannou 3M pásku 12mm x 0,2mm x 50m mezi hranu nehtu a kutikulu. Lépe drží, lépe se sundává a je LACINĚJŠÍ! Nemýt ruce, používat chirurgickou rukavici
4) Na nalepenou pásku nalepit umělý nehet a opracovat jej jako přirozený.
5) Vydrží několik hodin hraní
6) Na noc opatrně sundat (opět pomůže IPA), očistit od lepidla a uložit na zítra. Při hraní 2 hodiny denně vydrží 14 dní používání...
Nehet natřít krémem bioKarité (vyrábí Saloos naturecosmetics) po každém sejmutí umělého (nalepeného) nehtu. Až doroste přirozený nehet, bílé konce všech nehtů natírat KeratinBUILDER (vyrábí Delia cosmetics).
7) Zdravé nehty udržovat po celý den z obou stran mastné olejem na koňská kopyta (vyrábí TopVet).
8) Polykat vitamíny A až E, Zn, Ca, Cu, Fe. Pomáhá i MSM, a to i na klouby a chrupavky.

Držím palce, ať se podaří nehty udržovat a posílit.
JB

Jim King thanks for sharing! Can hear the melody line clearly. Did you perhaps played steel strings guitar before this? Notice the the LH thumb position. Because I did the switch too and took me a while to relax my LH. 

don Thank you for the reminder Don.  Currently, I play steel string guitars and a nylon string guitar.  I will have to be more cognizant of my thumb placement depending upon which guitar I am playing.