Subject: Re: Fwd: I thought I would send you some feedback


Mickey,

Greetings Leo,

Thanks for your patience in my getting back with you; I'm enveloped in DVD production at this time.

I was wondering if you have any recommendations for developing healthy and strong finger nails. Sadly my nails are pretty thin, soft, weak and frail - been a constant annoyance for my banjo frailing and guitar playing all my life.

This is one of the biggest dilemmas for fingerstyle and classical guitarists. Most all of my friends in this area almost always use artificial fingernails. Not sure why? I believe that steel string guitars are a lot harder on the nails. Notwithstanding, even the classical guitarists I know, that play nylon string guitars, use aritificial nails. I've been fortunate to have very strong nails...they're even difficult to bend. It might be my diet, or it might even be hereditary. I love the sound of nails personally...only, I still find that they fall short when playing banjo or steel string guitar with dark to light dynamics.

It sounds like you're focused on frailing banjo...well, in this case, the norm to use nothing but nails or artificial nails. Of course, you'll want to file, with emory board, the back side of your artificial nails to ensure smoothness of attack and tone. I've experimented with frailing while using fingerpicks...and, it does work for me. Only, it's non-traditional, and you will end up with a non-traditional tonal quality. You might still want to experiment with this yourself. It certainly solves the problem of thin fingernails. It will take awhile to gain accuracy with fingerpicks...the real advantage is being able to switch back and forth from three-finger playing to frailing.

Ultimately, it sounds like you've found your answer with the false nails. At least you can use this option until you figure out how to make your own nails stronger...
I've heard of many nutritional remedies for stronger nails:
1. Herbal sources...see an herbologist for the right combination/formula...
2. Gelatin...
3. Quality protein from non-animal sources...
4. Protein smoothies...frozen shakes made with soy protein...

Even if your nails do not benefit from the above nutritional remedies, you might find other health benefits just the same...so the effort wouldn't be lost...I wish I knew more...Mickey

I was at a friends house the other day and his wife glued some of her false nails on my index and middle fingers. When I got home and got my banjo out (Mike Ramsey White Laydie)  - I could not believe the difference to my accuracy and tone in frailing. Looks like I will have to keep these false nails as a part of my accessories from now on. Down side is a friend asked me if I was a Drag Queen in my spare time LOL. Oh well - would perhaps be an issue if I was 17 but at 53 not such a difficult thing to live with if the banjo technique and tone is improved.

Was wondering what advice you had on this subject.

Kindest regards,

Leo Crossfield
England