Learning with Legends - William Kanengiser

[@JohnTaylor-pj2mr]

Hi Bill, I've been meaning for years to congratulate you publicly on this brilliant demonstration, and to thank you for citing that old book of mine on tone production, the key points of which you bring to life so entertainingly. The outsize string and giant nails are (whether apoyando or tirando) strokes of genius! If I may, I'd just like to throw in a couple of comments that viewers might like to take on board... 1. It might not be quite clear from the video why it's so important to project the string inwards towards the soundboard, rather than pulling it out in the opposite direction. (After all, the aim is to get the soundboard to vibrate transversely, perpendicular to its own plane, and this can be done very effectively by displacing the string away from the soundboard, as a glance under the lid of a grand piano or harpsichord shows.) But on the guitar, what you get if you pull a string away from the soundboard and let it go is a Bartók pizzicato, because that outward displacement rapidly travels as a wave along the string, is reflected inwards at the nut or fret, and slaps loudly against the fingerboard! Conversely, the same thing happens in the opposite direction if you push the string towards the soundboard and let it go: when the wave is reflected at the nut or fret, the string jumps harmlessly up, away from the soundboard, rather than hitting the frets. That's why it's absolutely key to good tone production to get the nails working as miniature ramps, always projecting the strings inwards, both in rest stroke and free stroke. 2. Seen as a ramp, the nail has a second function which you show very clearly in the video - to release the string more smoothly, and less abruptly, than a small pointed object would. This tends to give a warmer, less bright sound because it tends to excite the string's fundamental and other low-numbered modes of vibration, in preference to the higher-frequency modes. However, over the years I've come to wonder whether I overemphasised this idea of 'gradual release' in my book, and perhaps gave the impression that it's generally a good idea to use the nails in a way that positively aims to suppress those higher frequencies. Having made recordings of many excellent players, it seems to me that the 'holy grail' of tone production is the ability to make the guitar really sing with a clear, ringing sound where the full range of frequencies is present and nothing is suppressed. (And, of course, to be able to vary the tone and dynamics with a wide palette of colours.) Nearly always, if a nail sounds thin, it's not so much because it's failing to release the string gradually, but because it's catching on the string at some point, and failing to project the string in towards the soundboard. What happens is that the nail is forced to ride over the top of the string - so instead of being pushed downwards, the string pushes the nail upwards, and then twangs off! This is why a non-functioning nail feels bad as well as sounding thin: the catching results in wasted effort, and a bumpy ride. Compare and contrast that satisfying feeling of the string sliding sweetly under that little ramp, and completely under your control. To quote an apt phrase, effortless classical guitar... Your good friend and admiring fan, John

[@living_strong]

There should be kindle version of your book sir, so that people all over world can enjoy your work

[@garfieldnate]

I would buy your book if you published another round of it.

[@garfieldnate]

@JohnTaylor ah, a Kindle version would be even better, wouldn't it! Let me know if you'd like help putting it together.

[@kerryalt]

In many minds (including mine) John Taylor's work was seminal in guitar pedagogy. SO many teachers had 'aha' moments in reading this book, and it had ripple effects throughout the guitar world on guitar pedagogy. The principles of tone production John presents had, in my view, profound effects on everything from tone to the ergonomics of the instrument. Suddenly, a free stroke could sound loud and full and very close to a rest stroke. I still cherish my copy and wish it was still in print, in digital or hardcopy. We all owe a great deal to John Taylor, and Bill Kanengiser for giving John the credit he deserves and putting together such a valuable presentation.

[@JohnTaylor-pj2mr]

@@kerryalt Thanks so much for your kind words, Kerry! Those heady days of the 1970s when so many of us were playing and teaching, without really understanding what we were doing in terms of the technique of tone production, are a now distant memory - so it's great to hear that my little book is still remembered as having brought some clarity to the topic. The book was basically born out of shame: there was a painful moment when it dawned on me that I (who should have known better, having studied physics at university) had naively accepted the 'authority' of a prominent guitar pundit here in the UK, who had forcefully and repeatedly stated in a book on technique that the aim of a good rest stroke or free stroke was to make the string vibrate parallel to the soundboard. Once I had realised that this teaching was based on a complete misunderstanding of how string instruments work, the idea of using the nail as a 'ramp' to project the string inwards towards the soundboard (in free stroke as well as the more obvious case of rest stroke) fell into place logically enough - though only after turning the thing over in my mind for a year or more, as I'm a very slow thinker! So, in a sense, my book was offered as a polemic, an attempt to clear up confusion about the most basic principles of tone production on the guitar, which had been sown not only by our own John Duarte, but also by other writers such as Frederick Noad and Abel Carlevaro. (Noad did subsequently amend a diagram in the later editions of his 'Solo Guitar Playing' to show a string vibrating perpendicular instead of parallel to the top plate.) In that sense, my book perhaps seems like a 'period piece' now - an attempt to disprove some bad advice that was current 40+ years ago but is no longer much of a problem in 2020, guitar pedagogy in general now being at a much higher level than it was then. I've been thinking for a long time of rewriting my book, with less of the dated polemical stance, but with some extra things added, especially about harmonics (how they are played, what it is that makes them sound 'bell-like', and how sympathetic resonances of harmonics contribute so much to the magic of guitar sound) which are barely mentioned in the original edition. But it might take me a while, so let's hope we all stick around long enough to see it happen... Meanwhile, Happy Birthday to Bill - my wife Judy tells me that it's today!

[@sieuminh]

his demonstration of bad tone sounds 10 times better than my best tone btw, 10 cheers for the "ouch" when changing finger nail!!!!!

[@yagind]

the best ever video I have watched in KZbin all my life... Addressed all my nail problems for which I was looking for an answer for ages..!!!! Gratitude sir!!!

[@alexbeascoechea7510]

Best and most illustrative explanation, and it has the bonus of being a subrealist video masterpiece. Those gigantic fingertips and nails must be part of the dreams of classical guitarrists. The giant file section is pure genius!

[@dodoguitar2415]

This video is still the best tutorial about understanding how the nails work on classical guitars to produce that beautiful tones, and how to shape and maintain the nails for classical guitar players. Thank you, Bill!

[@nazaninandante8324]

Each time I watch I’d like to like it again. One of those tutorials that is essential to be watched from time to time Thank you dearest William

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

Great demonstration! and really nice props.

[@tomjohnson2508]

thanks almost like starting over again. 30 years ago I went through this. it was hard to change from pulling to pushing down. one of the best lessons I ever had.

[@justinh.6683]

Wow! This was extraordinary! A master class for sure. Thank you so much!

[@banjoboy01]

Nailed it! great explanation of creating a ramp shaped nail

[@MaBosco]

Great video, very instructive, clear and precise, as well as fun and nice. Humour is a good tool for teaching. I suggest adding "how to shape classical guitar nails" to the title. It would come up easily on the researches for people looking especifically for it.

[@nickrobinson938]

One of my favourite tutorials. Thanks for posting. I do think students from all levels will benifit from listening to this great teacher.

[@pvhung1529]

one of the best lesson for the topic with outstanding visualization! Thank you very much!

[@Skinny_Karlos]

Just for the record, Segovia may have liked to say that the guitar is a 'mini orchestra' however he was only rehashing what Beethoven said of what was obviously a very different instrument from the instrument we play today. Although after the hubris he displayed following his trip to South America & meeting Barrios (& realising he, Segovia, wasn't the feted 'best guitarist in the world') Stealing quotes for himself is but a trifle. Instructive video, by the way for those who have difficulty with their nails. I blame their teachers, as the tone, which comes from the right hand/nails, should be of the earliest of instruction - not an afterthought following rapid scale run & left hand ability etc. Your introduction made your own similar thoughts clear.

[@ClassicalGuitarist]

Wonderful tutorial which takes in consideration the differences between biological variation and stylistic/technical preferences. Bravo!

[@dangsonha66]

Simply best video on the topic! Thanks a lot!

[@KwHong22]

Awesome video! Thanks for you sharing I enjoy on it and learn something!

[@cybermajano1]

Best explanation on nail shape and the reasons behind it I've seen. Great video. Thanks.

[@Tacomaholic]

Wow, what a great video. After watching this I realized I was using the file incorrectly on my nails regarding the individual curvature of each nail. After following the advice presented here, and properly shaping/sloping my nails, the difference in sound when I pluck a string now is amazing. Thank you so much!

[@skuNk_citY]

Very helpful and informative. Thank you.

[@enforcer41]

Thanks for such a thorough explanation of the importance of correct nail profiles and fingering technique. This should be mandatory viewing for ALL classical and fingerstyle guitar players. Thanks very much for doing this William.

[@taarheel]

I have watched a lot of videos on KZbin about shaping fingernails -- maybe all of them. This is BY FAR the best.

[@ulrikee.667]

Das ist ein wirklich gutes und spannendes Video! Genau das habe ich auch herausgefunden,könnte es aber nicht so detalliert erklären. So kann man aus einer Gitarre alle machbaren Klangfarben herausholen und jedes Stück lebendig gestalten. Dieser Beitrag sollte ein MUß für alle jungen Gitarristen sein!

[@timweber3277]

GREAT video. Thank you !

[@StuartwasDrinkell]

I really appreciate this deep analysis.

[@murtieagles]

very helpful. William explain with attention very much, thank you.

[@danielberlien3680]

Very instructive, nice big nails and string example. Thanks for uploading.

[@josephrincon1802]

Seriously an amazing instructor. Thank you!!

[@MrDizzyvonclutch]

That was such a great video on nails and sound, I totally loved the props and the way you used them, that was really cool! Definitely caught my eye, because I was just listening and doing Facebook on phone but I looked up and saw that pillow fingertip in your hand and my eyes opened wide, I giggles a little, and then paid total attention to the rest of it! Lol thank you!

[@Jabbaerwocky]

Wonderful advice, Bill. And to think you did the entire video without a script or teleprompter.

[@nickrobinson2023]

Awesome...best tutorial on nail shaping ever! Thanks you.

[@zedernylon]

Bravo! Very instructive, very clear. You really hit the nail on the head, all of them!

[@lagozzz5373]

This is of great help. I'm grateful. Thanks.

[@MegaStrijder]

you explained here the essence of what is important - great!!!

[@Larry30102]

This is a timeless video. Thx so much

[@DaflonFernando]

Perfect. Only missing the filing tips for the thumb. Cheers from Brazil.

[@t23355]

Great demo, thank you so much

[@rmlevyPhD]

Excellent use of visual aids. This makes a lot of sense. The best video out there on nail shape. Would you consider creating a video on tone production for notes at the top of the fingerboard.

[@selfsameday7448]

Really hit the nailS on the head .i'm a beginner looking for proper accents! Thank you for all your extra efforts to explain guitarists' manicured fingers! Going to open a ready to glue- on ,finger art store side by side with a Guitar Store in my neighbourhood in Canada. Merry Christmas !

[@trevjr]

Funny, I just watched a flamenco guitar video and he said the same thing about nails in a completely different way. Paco de Lucia put sandpaper on the string and plucked it to sand it to the exact angle. Nail shape is important, everyone is different. I just spent some time shortening all my nails. This is just amazing stuff.

[@zaeche]

Simply brilliant. His explanation is easily one of the most intuitive I've seen demostrated (and I've sat through quite a few!). I love that he ends on a pun, haha.

[@johnhannon]

Very helpful lesson! Thanks.

[@inspirationalguitar5316]

Amazing. This is the best video on TONE PRODUCTION !

[@zenakash]

Thank you so much, I never knew how to file my nails correctly but know I will try to find the shape that goes well for me

[@LynnePedigoRidayReiter]

So great to see another video from you! I watch your "Effortless Guitar" video as a great supplement to my lessons. I showed the cover to my teacher Dave Isaacs and he said he took a master class from you. So I feel related to you, musically speaking. Thank you for all you do for the promotion of love for classical guitar music.

[@cristianespejo4021]

Muy buen video!!! vale mucho esa informacion

[@Maurício.9215]

Very helpful! Thank you so much!

[@Neumoenrico]

Loved your tutorial, thank you so much

[@judwatkins9478]

Very helpful discussion of a subject that doesn't get enough attention. The point where the nail touches the string is key to guitar tone. I also like the point he makes about variations in each guitarist's finger shape. Kanengiser is a brilliant guitarist and teacher.

[@robinterkzer8128]

Wondrous ! xxxxxxx

[@newpinglegend9304]

I never gave the attack of the string this much thought. This gives me a lot to think about.

[@ValiRossi]

Great video. Thanks.

[@Tim522]

thank you! i think you have perfected this lecture.

[@sharoondaud9604]

Thank you very much ... Worked for me 👍

[@anandchauhan3416]

Such an important lesson thank you !!

[@alexdonado8681]

fantástica explicación

[@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504]

I liked the upstroke at the end!

[@FernandoCambara]

Muito legal, obrigado maestro!

[@whartonweb]

Well explained, thanks!

[@deeneebeeni2078]

that was just too cool.

[@rjlchristie]

Read John Taylor's book. Tone Production on the Classical Guitar. published 1978, contains all of this video and more.

[@Simirial]

perhaps place something in the title of the video or description (tag) that William is going over guitarist fingernail ideas. great video

[@frank8196]

Great tutorial! But it did not cover nails that bend "vertical", for example, my nails "hooks" downwards (over the flesh) very much, forcing me to file them really short. Can this be solved by filing them, with glue or anything else? Thanks again!

[@michaelsamynART]

Why is his the first time in my 3+ year study I hear somebody explain that the purpose of nail shape is to push the string towards the soundboard? That is so helpful across finger shapes and nail types!

[@luvnvrfails2000]

Its weird how some who call themselves "teachers" just tell you play this and that slowly and you should get it blah blah.... Simply BS. This guy is the most honest teacher i have seen and very smart, right to the important details.

[@amyrice2396]

The problem is guitar teachers do not know how to teach this! Only guitarist of the highest caliber understand what it takes to achieve such awareness because of the well-rounded training they recieve. Too many guitar students are trained as guitarists apposed to being trained as classical musicians. I am a trained violinist who taught myself to play guitar and tone production was my main concern! It was obvious to me that nail shape and the angle which the string is displaced directly correlates to the quality of the tone being produced. I almost see my approach to learning guitar as radical since I do not see any teacher with the same ideas, though I introduce my students to these ideas right from the start! there are many small techniques that are overlooked in guitar methods that must be at the forefront. Most importantly being the idea of preparing the string, playing legato (timing the shifts to give all notes full value), measuring the distance between notes (audiation) which is hindered because the instrument is fretted, tone production/tone colors, and that the right hand is more important than the left hand (independence of voices).

[@luvnvrfails2000]

Hi Amy! i have a big interest in flamenco tone and play Rumba Flamenca ( Gipsy Kings style ) and it's very hard to understand a lot of the techniques in flamenco guitar because it's very fast, percussive and aggressive. I took lessons with some flamenco guitarist and what he taught is practice this and that without starting at the basic level which is tone production and bio-mechanics of each technique. KZbin was the best teacher so far better than aimless hours of wrong practice.

[@GuitSiva]

Hi William Kanengiser.. Warm cheers.. U have thought in a different dimension to make this vital aspect of *nails' shape ( considering the difference between person to person and also in each finger of the same person it's shapes differ besides the length ) with a demo like, well there would be little doubt on this kinda perennial problem that may have been posing for a Classical guitarist on and off from the start and until now perhaps is rid any more.. Absolutely your concern with a patient effort in most of the possible drawbacks without a decent shaping of the nails is well clarified and I guess this is Best of rare useful videos needed for all classical guitarists and flamenco guitarists as well that I have so far seen on KZbin., ( Kind of you) although u have not made any mention of the Thumb and nail shaping, it is rather understandable for one to approach suitably for individual shaping as best suited.. Warm cheers dude.. God bless you and your family.. Please keep it up sharing your expertise and unique way of clarifying tips..siva..gtr..cbe..India..👏🙏😊🎶🎸

very cool

[@dannycloud5185]

what pieces is that on the intro

[@florianknoop4429]

The giant finger tip is a little disturbing but the video is great

[@buteforce]

The best nail shaping video ever. Likes are better than clicks.

[@TheJoeScarafoneChannel]

LAGT Lives!

[@Carminielloz]

... I got a little disturbingly large fingertip here.... HAHA AWESOME

[@bzeliotis]

Great pointers, if you excuse the pun!Maybe in another video you could say something about how to best file the thumb nail too.

[@alone66666]

+bzeliotis Its the same principle I believe.

[@agutanful]

+bzeliotis the thumb is complicated, but it works basically by the same principle of the fingers, about the shape of the nail, you can see a better description in "Scott Tennant Pumping Nylon"

[@bzeliotis]

Yes. I agree with both and I'm aware of Scott's book too. The thumb is more complicated because you the player have to make the decision as to whether you want the thumb to have the same weight of sound as the other nails, or whether you want it to have a heavier thumpy sound so that the bass always carries more weight in sound. Also the action of the thumb differs from player to player, some use a circular motion, others a diagonal stroke, some like to play just with the flesh etc etc. I wanted to know what Kanengiser's take is on this. Of course I agree that the nail should always be smooth and provide a good ramp for the string to travel on. But how much of the nail you use and how much resistance the tip has to the string affect how much 'bite' your sound will have.There are many views on what is the right nail shape, most masters of the guitar agree that it's to a large extent a matter of individual taste and At the end of the day each must decide what type of sound they want and nails of course are directly involved in producing that sound. Here's a way I use to shape nails. Fold the sandpaper over the string and play on the string in the same angle and force as you would normaly play. Play free/rest, rasquados etc. By the end of the process you should have the right shape and length of nails!

[@agutanful]

+bzeliotis (i excuse in advance for the long reply, and the confusion of my writing, English is not my first language) Is funny, i do the same with the sandpaper and the strings, is very useful, now... about the nails: i think that it is not a matter of taste, in my opinion it is important to think about the nail shape, but also about technique, they complement each other, the slightest change in the technique or the nail shape is going to represent a problem between them (i hope that's understandable), that been said, what i like about Kanengiser approach, is that the focus is not about the specific shape or fashion, but about functionality, i.e: natural movements, reduce energy waste, and so on. I point those aspects to highlight two things: 1) there is one ideal functionality, or functioning, i mean the "how it works", about technique and nail shape, but the specific shape and fashion in which that functioning is accomplished, varies from person to person, this is of course a matter worth discussing given the different techniques that exist, but then again i'm with Kanengiser in that functionality is the most important thing about technique and not one specific arrangement of the hands and other thins. And 2) in regards to the topic of shaping the nails in one way, so the bases or treble strings have more "voice" or volume, i think that you shouldn't give a shape which gives more volume but that also makes it harder to move the finger through the string, to me (and i base my opinion mostly on Scott Morris and Kanengiser, although also on my experience) all fingers should be moved effortlessly, and also, you should be able to reach different tones with the same nail shape, if the shape you got enhances the volume of some specific notes, you wouldn't be free to "voice" (i'm talking about "voicing"), i mean, you can play one single etude in many ways, you could put an accent on the bases, or the trebles, and it would sound different, and many Sor etudes, for example, focus on this sole thing. So... my point is: if you shape your nail to give volume in some strings, that would confine you to certain pattern, to the same way of playing over and over again.

[@AsgerF]

The thumb IS very different, as the string comes to the thumb from the hands pinky-side (ulnar), whereas the other fingers attack the string thumb-side (radial) first.

[@walter8065]

Seria genial si puede traducir al español,gracias.

[@fabianemch946]

Everytime he says "a-nail" I have to giggle

[@jgrave10]

I've noticed that my nails seem to be prone to tares after shaping and edge smoothing. I can have them perfect and the next day while doing routine activities a tare starts. I'm not sure if it's just Murphy's law or something I'm doing filing and edge polishing related.

[@Alexoferith]

You have not mentioned what job you do. If it is not due to your job, it could be that your nails are a little brittle. What you can try is to put some olive oil on your nails everyday. After a few months, you will see the difference.

[@Niowiad]

13:29 oh my 🤣 Very insightful though.

[@johnmanganaro3109]

@0:30

[@Cabbycabbage]

Great vid and most informative for tutored tortured and self taught players of all abillities. (You can never give too much attention to this side of your playing) If it's of any help our village was hit by a lightning storm last week. This storm brought down over 6 telephone lines so you may wish to offer them as a set of replacement strings to the giant from who you borrowed those amazing finger tips. Wicked stuff!!! Many thanks

[@enric7322]

Porfavor que alguien ponga subtitulos a este video !

[@antjamnow1286]

I spy an LAGQ member!!

[@crazyfire100]

what is the piece in the introduction?

[@zlatkostefkovic3501]

tarega - lagrima

[@Miarchieve]

8-10 core part.

[@TheJoeScarafoneChannel]

Lotus Eaters

[@living_strong]

Well god wants me to play guitar...i have so much problems with nails...i think now it will go away

[@samljer]

now... to stop biting my nails...

[@fabduck9275]

did anyone feel hurt when he changed the nails.......

[@yoheff988]

I can add only one more fact to this explanation " the longer the nails the worst the sound period"

[@godcomplex8251]

why not just clip the nails and wear picks on your fingers? that way you have a uniform shape regardless of the genetic characteristics of your fingers and nails

[@quarlmephystodot2201]

one point is COMPLETELY wrong in what he presents. probably more... the string does NOT travel across the flesh. it travels across 2 points of the nail up to the release point (only 1)

[@frederik606]

Lol....

[@TaiChiBeMe]

When you pulled off the large nail from the flesh I kind of cringed.

[@hqs9585]

Mr. William: your explanations fail the test of geometry and physics plenty. However, for your one nail shape have experience for getting the best possible sound, however, your logic simply does not follow science. I have to assume you are not a scientist, and your advice can actually be counterproductive.

[@СергейПотапенко-д5х]

Походу нашёлся задрот похуже Фреда

[@Moodymongul]

You could use this slow technique. Or, use another technique, used for years (by top players like Paco De Lucia). Get 600 'wet and dry' paper (a good 'grade' to use). Fold it over the B string (for example), so the abrasive is facing outwards. In your standard playing position, flick your picking hand nails over the wet and dry paper ..as if you are trying to pick the string. Viola! Perfectly shaped nails to attack the string. Without anywhere near the 'nail filing' Peace and happy playing!

[@jefix6594]

кто от паши?

[@kanker5256]

this is WRONG

[@DanielMendesguitar]

Nice approach! Thanx for sharing.