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Fingernail Care

This video in the **Learning with Legends - William Kanengiser** provides one of the best and clearest explanations of the conte

Published: 03 Apr 2016 Updated: 23 Jan 2020 • Visits: 31 • Code: UL05

INSTRUMENTS: Fingerstyle Main: Ukulele Others: Guitar Ukulele
Subjects: Scales • Technique • Video • Classical • Nail • Care

Related LessonAssets

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.

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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.

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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

Updated: 20 Jun 2019

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

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

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

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

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

Updated: 07 Dec 2015

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

Updated: 07 Aug 2018

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.

Books

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

Finally, learn the names of the notes of the fingerboard.

Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics.

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.

Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think.

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.

Checkout the Books for ALL available books.

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

Key Signatures — 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 for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

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