Can You Play Classical Guitar Without Nails?

Can You Play Classical Guitar Without NailsMaintaining long fingernails to play the classical guitar takes time and can be an annoyance in everyday life.

I’ve heard people say they’d love to learn the classical guitar but won’t ever start since they don’t want to grow long fingernails. Some don’t like the looks of it. Others can’t maintain long nails because their profession won’t allow it.

Assuming you can only learn the classical guitar with long, claw-like nails is wrong.

Fact is, you don’t need fingernails to play classical guitar. You can play without nails plucking the strings with the fleshy part of your fingertips. As a result, the sound will be softer, warmer, and more mellow. Furthermore, you don’t need to spend extra time maintaining and shaping your nails.

If you’re new to the classical guitar but hesitant about getting into it because of this nail “issue”… or you’re already playing with nails, and you would like to shorten them or cut them off, then keep reading.

In this post, we’re going to investigate some alternatives.

 

Why Play Classical Guitar Without Nails

What are the benefits of playing with no nails? Let’s get an overview here.

Look, playing without nails is something you either choose to do, as you like the sound and feel of it, or you have it thrust upon you, due to nail problems.

I have seriously lost count of the amount of players who have written to me, thanking me for making them aware that it is alright, legitimate even, to play without nails. Many of them gave up decades ago, after having a teacher with similar views to davekear above, and were forced to play with nails or give up. Many of them gave up one way or another eventually. I think this is a tragedy.
Rob McKillop, Classicalguitardelcamp.com

Softer and Gentler Tone

Although you’ll get less volume than playing with nails, plucking the guitar strings with the soft fleshy part of your fingertips produces a much warmer, more mellow sound.

You’re less likely to hear that harsh clicking noise that a fingernail can cause when hitting a string.

To give you an impression of the incredibly intimate and warm sound you can get when you play with your fingertips, listen to Rob Mackillop playing Capricho Arabe by Tarrega.

 

No Dependence on Undamaged Nails

The big downside of playing with nails is that you always depend on them being in perfect shape and condition.

One thoughtless movement with your hand could break a nail and hamper your playing for days or even weeks.

This even may keep you from enjoying some physical activities, such as rock climbing, basketball, or work in the garden.

For example, I’ve even managed to damage my nails —several times— when fishing for my keys in my pocket.

Also, I’ve found, beyond a certain nail length, typing on a laptop keyboard can become quite cumbersome. (Playing on the piano might be even worse.)

On top of that, if your nails are brittle, weak, and tend to crack all the time, long nails aren’t an option at all.

Naturally, when you play without nails, you won’t have to deal with all the hassle. You just shorten them once every other day or so and worry no more about it.

 

No Worries about Aesthetics

In the beginning, I let my nails grow pretty long (2-3 mm beyond the fingertips). But, I didn’t feel comfortable about it at work, around friends, or in everyday situations like when paying at the supermarket.

Honestly, I hid my right hand from people because I felt embarrassed about my claws. Also, keeping them in shape felt tedious, to boot.

For some folks —and I mean men primarily— long nails are a no-go. They’d rather not play classical guitar than grow long fingernails.

Anyways, you won’t have to deal with curious looks or annoying questions about your nails if you play without or short nails.

 

No Worries About Hygiene

Are you working in medicine, gastronomy, or any other profession where long fingernails aren’t permitted or frowned upon because of hygienic standards?

For example, I work in a hospital, and longer nails are an absolute taboo.

As a nurse, doctor, or in plenty of other professions, you just can’t let them grow long because it’s not allowed.

So, playing with short nails eliminates those troubles entirely.

 

Improved Tactile Sensation

Some classical guitar players maintain they insist on the tactile sensation when touching the strings directly with their fingertips instead of their nails.

They enjoy controlling and feeling the strings solely with their skin.

 

Less Nail Maintenance

If you play entirely without nails, you won’t need to invest extra time in polishing, shaping, and fixing your nails. Instead, you could just use a simple nail clipper.

Whereas, if you play with nails, growing them long is the easy part. But it consumes a good deal of work maintaining the precise shape.

You’d need some special nail care kit to ensure you’re always producing a good and clean sound, reliably.

 

Where to Learn More About Nailless Play?

Although this is a frequently discussed topic among classical guitarists, you won’t find much educational material about this topic yet.

Learn Nail-Less Playing from Robert MacKillop

Still, for example, Rob McKillop, a Scottish guitar player who plays the classical guitar entirely without nails. Yet, he’s producing a stunningly beautiful sound on his instrument.

On top of that, he’s covered his technique and thoughts on nail-less play in several articles and videos.

Have a look at Rob MacKillop’s website, where he gives you lots of input on nail-less playing.

 

How to Play Without Nails with Brandon Acker

Then, Brandon Acker, another brilliant guitarist who demonstrates how to play the classical guitar without nails in one of his videos.

 

Classical Guitarists Who Play Without Nails

If you’re looking for some inspiration, have a look at the classical guitarists below. They all play (or played) without nails.

Annee Mari Hagen

Hector Garcia

[0:44 Lágrima | 7:53 Adelita | 15:18 Endecha | 20:56 Prelude No. 11 D major]

Check out this fantastic interview with Rob MacKillop and Hector Garcia

 

Rob McKillop

 

Gabriel Schebor

 

Paulinho Nogueira

 

Virginia Luque

Interview with Virginia Luque​ and Rob MacKillop

 

Juan Mercadal

 

And some more classical guitar virtuosos who played with flesh alone

  • Fernando Sor
  • Renata Tarrago
  • Olcott-Bickford
  • Carulli
  • Carcassi
  • Segovia – Some people claim he cut off his nails near the end of his life. His reason? Apparently, he could play with a greater variety of sounds without nails.