

Sign up
Here's how it works:
  1. Anybody can ask a question
  2. Anybody can answer


share|improve this question
I actually play my flamenco without any nails – Neil Meyer Feb 14 at 17:34
up vote 6 down vote accepted

I play Flamenco guitar.



share|improve this answer



keep filing the nails regularly with your practice.

share|improve this answer


share|improve this answer
Note that "Pumping Nylon" is written for classical guitarists, not flamenco guitarists. But I believe the section on fingernails would be applicable to both kinds of guitarists. – user1044 Aug 26 '11 at 22:25

In flamenco, there are pros and cons to both short and long nails. Though most famous soloist flamenco guitarists tend to keep shorter nails (slightly longer than the flesh), there are many who don't. One example (though an extreme one) is Moraito Chico, who is widely regarded as one of the greats but had nails nothing short of bear claws (which you can see in any video of him performing live). There is an extent to which the length of the nail is just a matter of preferences and of one's one anatomy (length of the arm, of the fingers, etc.). That being said, as a general rule of thumb, the longer the nails, the easier and the more powerful your rasgueados will be; the shorter the nails, the easier tirando, picado and arpeggios will be. In other words, there is a trade-off here: longer nails may be of help if you have to accompany dancers (since a lot of rasgueados are involved in accompaniement) but they made be a hindrance for playing solo pieces.

As for nail care, the techniques used by the locals in Andalucia range from super glue to shoe polish and everything in between. A common technique used to harden the nails is the following: one layer of acrylic powder, one layer of super glue, let dry, repeat until hard enough. I've also seen some use cigarette paper (and even toilet paper) instead of acrylic powder. Whether this is the best of going about it, probably not (even just health wise), but it is a widely used method by Andalucian flamenco guitarists. As for the shape of the nails, the same rules apply as for classical guitar: use a file to shape a gentle curve following the shape of the fingertip. Make sure you file at all different angles (and not just head-on the nail) but only file in one direction (and not back and forth). When finished, all of the tip of your nail should feel smooth. If you slide your finger over the tip of the nail and feel resistance, then more filing is needed.

share|improve this answer





Good luck!

share|improve this answer







Sor hand illustration

share|improve this answer

Your Answer


