Fingernails and their care

Right hand technique (or left hand technique if you are left-handed) is where the drving force behind flamenco is and the fingernails are going to be very important in creating the sound.

The nails create the impact that allows the strings to vibrate and produce a clear note, so they need to be long enough to connect with the string but not so long that they will get in the way of movement from one string to another.

As a general rule, 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. There is a compromise here: longer nails may be needed if you accompany dancers (a lot of rasgueados are involved in accompaniement) but they may be a hindrance for playing solo pieces.

Whether to play with long nails or short ones has always been a question of interest to me.

Based on my experience, the best answer to the question is “it does not matter.”

There are differences you should know about before deciding what is best for you. However, don’t let the length of your fingernails hold you back. Just get plucking, and you will find out what is right for you.

Long Nails

Hold your hand with the palm facing you. Ideally, the tips of your nails should be 1 – 2 mm above the fingertips.

Long nails give better volume and speed.

They are harder to maintain, needing constant supervision as you go about your everyday life.

Short Nails

Short nails do not produce the loud volume of long nails. Fast playing is harder to achieve.

However, having short nails gives you more control and brings sensitivity to your playing. Because you just touch the strings, you can achieve more emotion in your playing. Short nails are easier to maintain and do not interfere with your everyday business.

So, which should you use?

I suggest you concentrate on playing and experiment. You will soon find the best balance for you.

My finger nails are as long as they need to be for my style of playing and I have a constant fear of breaking them. About 10 years ago, my right thumb nail developed a crack down the length of it and I could not fix it. Because of the crack in the thumbnail, there are techniques I cannot get to sound right, but I use them anyway and I get by.

The main thing is to not worry about your nails and to listen to the music you are playing. If it sounds good to you, there is no problem.

I have added the following videos to help with this important aspect of flamenco. Everyone has different needs, so take the information you think best suits you and try out the various ideas before you find the best ideas for you.