3 Nail Shapes for Classical Guitarists

Chris from tonebase shows you 3 nail shapes for playing classical guitar so you can experiment and find out what works for you. He also shares some basic shaping fundamentals and at the end of the video takes a look at several famous guitarists' nail shapes including David Russell, Scott Tennant, and Thomas Viloteau.
For more in-depth resources on all things classical guitar, head over to tonebase.co or click the link below!
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Free PDF: Top 10 Tips for Perfect Nails
What's the one thing every guitarist, no matter their level, is always working on? Nails, of course! Learn the 10 essential nail tips that will help you grow, shape, and maintain your nails better than ever before.
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[@amaniarman460]

Your resources are high quality, thanks a lot!!!! For releasing this for us!!

[@williamsummerspring]

This is the best and most comprehensive guide to nail shape and believe me, I've seen quite a few. 2 thumbs up!

[@dartharaneus67]

Wonderful advice all around!

[@Moussicot]

Very pedagogic content. I'm a 2 years of practice rookie and i'm comforted ( and a bit worried) to hear that even exprencied guitarist can struggle to find their best nail shape. I had some nice results with ramp-up shape but, as you said, i found it very sensible to nail growth and requires a precise and frequent reproduction of the pattern. My fickleness in term of results discouraged me many times. Thanks for the synthesis.

[@kbkesq]

Much needed info. Great video.

[@gaston.barthelemy]

Very helpful video, thanks!

[@viveck123]

thanks for the informative video !

[@dominicdcocco3361]

Muchas gracias por el video. Fue muy informativo :)

[@digigoliath]

Awesome!!! TQVM!!

[@aktuyanpar]

Thank you this is very helpful

[@gemaf]

Excellent video. I actually shape my nails the Thomas has demonstrated whereby you saddle a piece of sandpaper on a string , put your hand in a natural playing position, and strike the string with the sandpaper giving you the exact shape and angle that your finger is flowing over the string.

[@mikegro5337]

A beautiful classical guitar has come into my life and I've been loving it!. Amazing video! Thank you!! I have somewhat brittle nails it seems. Do you have any tips on that?

[@Larry30102]

Awesome video. Your approach was much appreciated....non dogmatic :) My M and A nails are troublesome. Using my natural nail I can't create an up ramp. And as you mentioned, the round nail can be thin sounding. So I found Viloteou's video and it was revolutionary. Probably the greatest thing is that for me it produces an identical sound in i-m-a without having to tweek it too much. What I do a little different from Thomas, is that after laying the paper across the string, I bring all my nails through together in one motion, not as individual fingers. They are being treated in one motion and so sound the same from finger to finger when playing. The other thing about this technique that I like, and I don't know if this is in his video or just something I discovered is that when I go through the single motion with i-m-a I make sure and bring my nails through the string, getting the same singular motion with the underside of the nail. Moving back and forth under the nail with the sandpaper, while getting under the nail is a needed thing, has adverse effects on my tone. But getting under the nail with Viloteou's technique is a big improvement. Many Thanks.

[@bsgnine]

I actually file my nails exactly the way you just did in this video. Up ramp on I, rounded on M, and down ramp on A.

[@wbajzek]

I have up ramps for i and m and a down ramp for a. It took me a few years to figure out that I needed to do this, after struggling my a nail, which has more natural defects. It turns out the down ramp, which looks significant on its own, ends up giving the nail a similar relationship to the strings as the up ramps do on the others because of the way my m and a fingers tend to curve towards each other.

[@guitarlessonsnow3431]

Great explanation of basic shapes to use as a starting point. Experimentation is import though, as everyone’s nails are different. I once read that a fan of John Williams asked to see his nails once and he responded something like, “sure, but it won’t help YOU”.

[@1965nterp]

I enjoyed this videom Iike to suggest that if you make another video bring out a guitar and pkay it before you shape your nails and after

[@SexyAlien2]

Thank you for this video! I would have loved to see how you shape your thumb nail as well.

[@tonebase]

I actually use the rounded shape for my thumb! Some people use a ramp shape, so you can experiment with all 3 for your thumb as well. Hope that helps! - Chris | tonebase

[@SexyAlien2]

@@tonebase Thank you!

[@cloudhop]

This is very informative, thanks. PS WHAT is that lovely theme intro ?

[@peritrima]

It would be so much better if I had a switch for the sound of filing nails. Great video!!! Thanks!

[@rjlchristie]

You omitted the best and most noble sounding shape: no nail or next to no nail, [provided the shape of your fingertip is suited to flesh attack technique (i.e. more tapered than bulbous)].

[@wearetemporary]

Great video. Just wished you’d have talked about the thumb, as well! :)

[@eddeguzman6881]

Interesting physics into nail filing for playing the classical guitar !!! Love it …

[@ablackdotguy]

Thank u sir😊

[@TheRea1Truth]

I’ve always thought I should watch one of these videos

[@nickrobinson938]

This video is magnificent, it is such an important tutorial for beginers who often get frustrated with sound, just lie me. I've been playing for many years, and sound and tone a still my main focus of attention. Thank you for wrecking your nails for the example, many students will appreciate your sacrifice. I have a problematic nail. They are hard as nails, but they also have a very pronounced curve over the top. I think there is an ideal deal for classical guitar playing; yours for example are tapered and not too curved or hooked. I enjoyed listening to your sound. Thanks a bunch. BtW, Have you anything on tuning the classical guitar? Have you found a decent electronic tuner to do the job? I prefer to tune by ear using fiths and harmonics. Thank you in advance.

[@felipe-jz9zm]

Thanks for that so good video. For thoses who are septical in the comments, just try, and you'll see.. you'll ear the difference!. First the 3 steps are important : trim, file and polish. If you polished your nails for the fisrt time, but already used your nylon/ carbon-composite strings quite a lot, compare (with your polish nail) how they sound near the sound hole, with an other place where you don't play. In order to check the sound of your polish nail on a smooth string! it happened to me (with used carbon strings...), a long time ago, but i still remenber !

[@sadrasabet1779]

Thx bro

[@RyanEhli-MusicAndGuitar]

Thank u for ur sacrifice! It takes me ~2 weeks to grow my nails from nothing. How can I get them to grow FASTER & STRONGER?

[@thanagan5192]

Could you please do a video about thumb nail shapes? I have been struggling with finding a thumb nail shape for years (gets hooked at contact point). Thanks!

[@paulbentley2216]

That's what I've just sat through 21 minutes of, to there being absolutely nothing on it. I have exactly the same issue as you (getting hooked up) I prefer the up ramp on mine.

[@robertsmith4019]

FWIW, I believe Laurendo Almeda was the first to talk about the flat nail approach. He even sold a device to quickly get flat nails through his publishing company Brazilliance in the 1960's - 90's. This device achieved that same results as putting sandpaper around a string. This was common practice for all the players at the guitar shop I worked in during the 70's. I suspect sandpaper has been used by guitarist since the early 1800's (Torres), since sandpaper has been around since the 1300's and nail files in 1830. Hand position, length of your fingers, and how your nail sits in the nail bed all contribute for an optimum shape for the tone you're looking for.

[@jonbeargenx]

I play acoustic but not classical guitar so my nails take a bit of a beating, especially when strumming as of course I will alternate wear on the tips or the upper surface. This wears my nails thin and I have started to reinforce them with a rebuilding clear nail polish. Now the problem is that the nail polish makes a different sound as it is softer, and it feels not as sleek because of that. Granted I am not a professional player and I mostly play for family so tone should not be a major concern. My thumb is a rounded up ramp while my other fingers are half moon shaped as not to tear up on the sharper strings. All my nails will catch a little as I let them have that initial corner so I can pluck with a more sharp sound if needed. Thanks for the informative content 😊, I learned quite a bit on how professionals do it.

[@jasper_north]

Hello... what nail shape do you recommend for travis picking?? Thank you.

[@cellolion6631]

You anticipated all of my questions except how do you handle the corners of the ring finger? Is this pointed end-of-nail a problem? Does the Ring Finger have more trouble than the other fingers?

[@BonafideToolJunkie]

Acrylic fingernails might be an option for some. James Taylor once said "as much as I play, my own fingernails wouldn't last more than a week"

[@barbroevanderlindquist4128]

Metall fils is out longtime ago, Cristal (glas) fils is the best allround and sandpaper!

[@JohnA000]

I prefer an up ramped shape but it's much shorter than yours, and the beginning of my ramp is below the tip and the highest part is slightly less than 1/16 of an inch above the tip. I like it because there is less resistance. I find that if the resistance is too much it gets hung up.

[@MaBosco]

I found this video really interesting and clear. Watching other videos before this helped me to understand it fully. I have some suggestions: - explaining VISUALLY the meaning of "contact point" (with video and pictures); - placing the finger against a black background, so the nail's lenght and shape are clearly visible. In the video the scene was filmed with the hand in the background, which turns into a poor contrast for the white nail; - making use of removable fake nails could prevent you from ruining your nails for making the videos. I think it would still make people understand the topic thoroughly. Thank you for your video and your time! Marco

[@davepowell7168]

The points you've raised seem practical to demonstrate the nail pattern filed most clearly

[@Opuskrokus]

Lutenists - 10% playing, 90% tuning Guitarists - 10% playing, 90% staring at your nails

[@kbkesq]

I’d love a video on how to have the shortest nails possible and still get some speed benefits. Nails are jus the worst thing to deal with.

[@jesus7513]

Where i can find the buffer file?

[@CIrAzYIX]

What about the thumb? do you use the nail there too and do you need the ramp the other direction then?

[@pasongara4891]

Coffee. Subscribed.

[@simbadlemarin1815]

I used to have all of those items, even have a box of increasing grit micromesh sticks. Got an OPI glass file 10 years ago and haven't needed any other file since. Have replaced it once due to having dropped the first one on a tile floor -- fragility is the only downside.

[@eblackbrook]

What you are missing here, particularly with regard to the down-ramp, is that while most guitarists play with the thumb-side of the nail, some players play with the pinkie side. Most players have the string starting at where the nail meets the flesh at the side closest to the thumb and the nail sweeps across the string toward the other side. But some guitarists (like Ida Presti) do the opposite. They start with the string at where the flesh meets the pinkie side of the nail and sweep the other way. I'm pretty sure this is how Thomas Viloteau is playing. This makes what you are calling a "down-ramp" for these players function the way an "up-ramp" functions for typical players.

[@SuperSupper2]

To avoid accidentally over-filing parts of your nail, always keep the hand being filed still and support the file board or paper directly from the opposite side the same way you would hold a cloth to clean glasses.

[@bibekpawn6175]

can someone please tell me which piece is 3:45

[@payambehtash7124]

there are a few things that I've never seen anyone point them out and I thought maybe you would: 1) for many players the starting point is on the right side of the fingernail. in fact the down side ramp is appropriate for them. 2) sometimes we have to pluck the stings with much more power in a way the string goes under the nail so its length have to be according to those moments or not?

[@eblackbrook]

This is an important point that should have been covered because it reverses the effect of the two ramp shapes. The less common technique of beginning a stroke with the right side of the nail in contact with the string is sometimes known as the Ida Presti technique. There are some videos about this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYi8mYqvarSkna8

[@davepowell7168]

Yes, l would agree that length is fundamental to technique and sound development 👌

[@boldwinbeanbaker3033]

don't go up and down the nail with your file, go in one direction. follow the direction of the string. So for right handed players from left to right, left handed players the other way around. Great tip from Antigoni Goni somewhere here on YT. She made a real study of it.

[@hello-rq8kf]

there is nothing wrong with up and down

[@danieletarantino5462]

could anyone tell me the names of the pieces in the background?

[@felipe-jz9zm]

Complete video! thanks again.. i did'nt know the down-ramp. ..But: 500 for sand paper to polish?!.. that's what i heard in the video. Well, for me, it is only the 2nd step (or last step for shaping). Trim, file and polish: 400 to trim/shape, then 600 to affinate (or trim when the last time i have done the nail care is close), #1200 (1000to1400) to file, 2000 to polish (sensation of touching chrystal !). To check that chystal sensation or if there's still a mlicro breach, i rub my nails on the polish thumb nail of the other hand, that i polish just for that reason. A teacher of Paris Conservatory online even polish with 3000 to 4000, i did not try. 2000, give me the sound i want, that smooth tone on the first string!. When you are used to play with polished nails, you'll hear the first breath! and won't stand it ! You can check that those value are corresponding with brands who are selling set of sand paper for guitarist. Personnaly, i just check practising different numbers of sandpapers, and obvious results are there. You can try with one peace of sand paper sold in any car care shop. There are some with numbers and letter "P" before, having latex in their compositions, you can use them more longer time! they use them for cars paint, with water. What ever the guitar and strings you have, playing with polish nails, instead of having micro breach, make a huge difference! i got a new sound the day i start to play with polish nails, with optimised shape, here called "up-ramp". Now it is a daily nice routine, each time before playing. Of course, when you check your nails every day, shape is already done, you only need to file some times (fore sure if there's a breach), and only polish before every practise.

[@davepowell7168]

@ 0:18 Good ol matt carcass, great study piece 2/25 for Xtreme rubato, scrub the tremolo for starters ! Wash your hands if you absolutely have to. Get ramping...

[@froobeytubey]

A few tips for people. It is important NOT to file back and forth like was done in this video, choose one direction to file in and stick with it. If you file back and forth you destroy the nail and won't achieve as even of a finish. Also the shape that is right for you will depend on your natural nail shape to begin with, some peoples nails at a certain length will curve downward and some peoples will not. I recommend the book "pumping nylon" for a visual description of this. It will show what direction to file your nail depending on the natural shape you have.

[@hello-rq8kf]

"you destroy the nail" complete lie, my professor has won a shelf full of guitar awards and he's filed my and his nails back and forth

[@froobeytubey]

@@hello-rq8kf I also have a shelf full of awards, that hardly means anything in the profession. Also a tertiary Google can back up my claim, here is a quote from healthline "Filing your nails in a back-and-forth motion like a saw can actually weaken your nails. Instead, file them in one direction." Being a great classical guitarist doesn't mean you are well versed in beauty salon knowledge, I've had many lessons with Pavel steidl for example and he's never once brought this up, it doesn't mean it's not true because 1 amazing player is unaware of it. Try not to be so ignorant in future and do some research?

[@TheJML1975]

@@hello-rq8kf your professor, files your nails.. 😉

[@practice4089]

I've tried both and found it doesn't matter. Filing angle is what really matters

[@louiscyfer6944]

​@@froobeytubeydepends on the file traditional metal files that is the case. if you use a diamond file, it won't tear up the nail. with buffers you can also go both direction. i had a whole semester on shaping nails, the class was tone production on a classical guitar. i use the flat ramp, but scott tenant was my teacher.

[@aminoagua]

What is the name of the intro song?

[@lomobster]

how do you shape your thumbnail? this is the fourth video i've watched on it and none of them show you how to shape the thumb nail.

[@viarnay]

Try water sandpaper 2000 grain and water and get crystal polished nail edges..

[@UFO6600]

Dear Chris. Thank you for this extremely good video on basic fingernail shaping. I personally always had nails not shaped naturally so perfect as yours 🙃 .So, after 50 years and hundreds of trying different methods, I developed a very easy solution for „not having originally perfect nails“. I‘m just preparing a paper on that, where I describe the exact details and materials. If you like, I can provide you the paper when finished. I do not have commercial intentions. Maybe you could show it in a new video then, if you are 100% convinced. 🤓😋🥰.

[@crispycrimps865]

I would love to see it as well Richard!

[@davepowell7168]

I'm intrigued by mysterious methods

[@UFO6600]

@@davepowell7168 Dear Dave, it is not a mysterious Methode. I am engineer with solid background in material science. I was just tired to have nails not perfect for guitar as many of my guitar friends have. The final method Since a few years I use this Methode without any changes. It keeps my nails for 3 month continuously without breaking or delaminating. Only grinding with a standard nail file is required like a normal nail. The system is based on a professional, not cosmetic, UV curing acrylate based fast curing and a special cosmetic nail strengthener. Very easy applicable or removable. Takes 3 to 5 minutes for a nail. The challenges were, having a durable, strong an reliable nail similar of sound like a natural nail or nylon (standard plectrums). 😋🤓

[@davepowell7168]

@@UFO6600 Thanks for sharing some insights, having had a career in marine engineering science l was curious

[@davepowell7168]

@@UFO6600 Ethylene vinyl acetate is possibly what you are suggesting, plectrum strength is a great idea for a working or part time musician on the go I'm retired and keep my 4 essential talons shortish 😁 You might wish to copyright your intellectual property 😉 Enjoy your day Richard

[@mr.k905]

My nails keep breaking ALL OF THE TIME. What can I do differently? I play electric guitar with a pick but the nail of my index finger always hits the string as well and then it breaks. So annoying. Please help!!

[@harisveeroli]

Thank U Sir And New Subscriber Here 🌹♥️❤🙏🏻

[@garyl6561]

How can I play the guitar with soft and thin nails? They snap very easily

[@Thanasis_Tsiris]

3:50 song?

[@onceuponatime2010]

And what's the background piece at the beginning? A D.Scarlatti probably?

[@tonebase]

Yep! It's Scarlatti's Sonata K.333 played by Emmanuel Sowicz. Here's the full performance video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epypgJh_pbhnmpY

[@druwk]

Can’t play with my thin nails. Have to only use flesh, or risk ripping my nail in half. I like the sound, but when I hear/feel it, I know it’s time to take my nails down to below the tip. Considering getting fake nails? Useful to think about the shape.

[@amerasia5189]

1:50 me too ☕☕☕🤣😂🤩

[@laotzu1111]

Same thing for the thumbs?

[@joepworther2284]

I prefer the rounded half moon shape, because my right hand is parallel to the strings...

[@quarlmephystodot2201]

20:41 - false absolutely

[@whendoigettosayfuck]

I cut mine to stick out to the left. So my nails look like actual picks on my fingers sticking out left

[@TylrVncnt]

The nail file has a 500 grit section, why not just use that to finish?

[@grandpa7673]

The sandpaper lets you get in the hard to reach nooks and crannies, including under the nail where the string makes contact.

[@urdrwho1]

I've been playing for 60 years which gives you a guess that I am not that young. Over the past few years I have noticed that my nails are not as strong and I can and do break my thumb nail. I wish there was someone who could come up with a method to solve my nail problem. I've always used a rather long thumb nail and without it I can slip and slide. Asturias Leyenda means I have bass that is minimal. I also break my finger nails which makes playing difficult and I have to fake some things and make it sound good but I know I'm not playing how I should play. I have tried to use thumb picks and finger picks but there is just no feel or dexterity in those things. People like Tommy Emanuel might know the trick but I didn't start out using them and not - forget it.

[@gbee8888]

Why not try a nail strenthing coating like "Hard as Nails"?

[@microwavedmetal]

Fun fact pedicure kits a available in drugstores, regular stores, and beauty stores...and there are very cheep

[@sobhanzeynalzade]

I’m not a beginner but I used grounded nail because that sound and quality of playing for me is playing with grounded nail Anyway That was a good video Good job

[@pornotraktor089]

I would like to try guitar fingernails, but I think it's kinda uncomfortable as a cashier in a supermarket. Can someone give me their experience with those nails and daily life?

[@MrWolfheart111]

As a guy... don't complain to anyone you "broke a nail". lol I cant imagine anyone being a mechanic or landscaper and playing classical. There are finger picks you may try.

[@jubalpradhan8759]

Imo, 500 grit sand paper isn't the best. You could try 2000 and above for a finer polish to the edge.

[@niner8tangojuliet149]

It’s being a mechanic trying to play classical guitar.

[@faq6342]

Ahhh carcassi 2...

[@work1907]

Damn I’m so lazy I would usually go for a buffer then a 2000 sand paper and that’s it.

[@anthonymoody4601]

omg it’s so hard to concentrate with the awesome music in the background😭

[@WahrheitMachtFrei.]

DO NOT use a metal nail file, buy a glass manicurists' file, they're much better at taking off just as much nail as you want with varied pressure. They are VERY effective at removing a lot of nail, but can be used to smooth the edge with little or no pressure. Most importantly, they cannot damage the soft tissue of the finger when filing the edge of the nail, or when tightly filing the nails of your fretting hand.

[@DeOmnibusDubitandum76]

Use what works for you, but I recommend a glass, or crystal, file rather than a metal one.

[@kekansaru]

Pretty disappointed you didn't show us how to clip our fingernails off incase we want to play without nails

[@flumpaustin1994]

What about no nails? Tarrega played with no nails, apparently.

[@AlexH4774]

Rob MacKillop is your guy :)

[@microwavedmetal]

When filling never go back and forth...you will weaken your nail that way

[@garretknisley6015]

I’ve found as long as you finish filing in one direction (preferably the direction the string travels/releases) it really doesn’t do much harm. Then again I eat pretty healthy and use a lot of oils on my cuticles, so maybe I’m not the best judge since my nails are in good condition year round

[@microwavedmetal]

@@garretknisley6015 oh ok

[@zues2013]

Best nail shape is the only correct nail shape Grandpapa of guitar sor - no nails flesh warm deep tone

[@6strings5904]

You should watch George Carlin on baseball cap!

[@practice4089]

wrong filing angle! It leads to easy splitting and a thinner sounding free stroke. Always file edge on with the nail for a stronger nail with a rounder, bigger tone. nail length is more subjective (finger and nail shape)

[@dragard2951]

Im #halfmoongang cuz i dont want to look like a weirdo.

[@carlosrossi4336]

Just better without nails

[@richardb8104]

Tip: put this video on 2x speed. it has good info, but the guy talks really slow

[@jupiterinaries6150]

Ugh! Playing with nails makes everything sound twangy!

[@Cieln0va]

You need more practice, then.

[@kanker5256]

this is awful the only way to file nails is to put the file under the nails and straight, not rounding it