Learning Ukulele with Curt
Fingernail Care

If there is one area of discussion that players recommendations are all over the board on - it's fingernails for classical guitar. The technique and subject for classica guitar is appropriate for ukulele as well. The ukulele is almost a mini classical guitar missing two strings.

Publisher: Curt Sheller Publications Authors(s): Curt Sheller
Category: Fingerstyle Instrument: Ukulele
Subjects(s): ScalesTechniqueVideoClassicalNailCare
Premium Member Feature
Premium Member Feature
Premium Member Feature
Share the Fingernail Care on: Bluesky facebook twitter (X)
LESSONSeries : Exploring Fingerpicking Technique on Ukulele
Series Home
Fingernail Care

If there is one area of discussion that players recommendations are all over the board on - it's fingernails for classical guitar. The technique and subject for classica guitar is appropriate for ukulele as well. The ukulele is almost a mini classical guitar missing two strings.

William Kanengiser Video

No need to reinvent the wheel. This video in the Learning with Legends - William Kanengiser provides one of the best and clearest explanations of the contentious topic of fingernail care as it applies to technique.

More...

A book that I remember that had a good explanation of different nails and their care is **Pumping Nylon: The Classical Guitarist's Technique Handbook** by Scott Tennan.

Learning with Legends - William Kanengiser

Nail Tips • Curt Sheller

With fingerstyle and fingerpicking a big part of playing the ukulele, keeping your right hand fingernails in top shape can be tough at time. Here are a few tips to protect your nails and keep out of trouble.

  • Keep nails short. DO NOT clip you nail on the plucking hand.
  • Organize your pockets for potential nail damaging objects suck as keys.
  • Learn to reach and use your left hand more. You're left hand is already pretty developed from playing. Door knobs are what get me the most and wearing bi-focal glasses are what get me the most.
  • For gigging musician loading gear ina and out — Wear gloves.
Sign-IN, for free — to View, Un-Blur Any Additional Content for This Lesson—Can't give it ALL away.
art by Curt Sheller
End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

Related Lessons
Related Lessons for Fingernail Care.
UL112b
Fingerpicking for Ukulele - Getting Started

There are two distinctly different Fingerpicking Styles. The Classical (pima) and "Alternating Thumb Style" commonly called "Travis Picking" in the guitar world and "Scruggs Style" in the banjo world. The focus of this series is on the classical (pima) style.

Related Lesson Series
Related Lessons Series for Fingernail Care.
Alternating Thumb Fingerpicking on Ukulele

This is the common alternating thumb and two finger strumming style utilizing the thumb, index and middle fingers. Commonly called “Travis” picking in the guitar world. This series of lessons explores and adapts this style to ukulele. Travis Picking is a finger-style made famous by Merle Travis and Chet Atkins. This style is commonly played on steel string acoustic guitars.

Ukulele Fingering Gymnastics - Developing Technique

An introduction to proper hand placement for left hand technique on ukulele and a wide variety of finger drills to develop your technique.

Related Songs
Related Songs for Fingernail Care.
ANYSONG
Any Song Will Do

This is not really a song, but simply saying that for the purposes of a lot of the lessons and lesson series on this site ANY song will do for exploring the lesson's material and concepts presented in the lesson.

Related Books & Charts
Related Books for Fingernail Care.
UKEFP01
Fingerpicking for Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Style

Fingerpicking for Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Style, 2nd Edition is a new expanded edition that focuses on the alternating thumb fingerpicking style through a series of graduated lessons-chapters incorporating your index and middle fingers with the alternating thumb.

A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.
These are Books & Reference Charts that apply to a majority of the lessons on LearningUkulele.com–Learning Ukulele with Curt .
Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning
Finally, learn the names of the notes of the ukulele fingerboard in C tuning .
Six Secrets of the Ukulele Fingering
Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics. Book: Six Secrets of the Ukulele Fingering It there in one thing that give a ROI (corporate speak for return in your investment)—it is this— learning the f*cking notes of your OWN instrument. Sorry for the tough talks—but it is sooooo true!
Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. Book: Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think. Book: Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

An organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player for developing the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing. Book: Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

Checkout the Books & Reference Charts for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

Reference Charts
Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A) , A4

Checkout the Books & Reference Charts for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.