DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher.
Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more.
Premier Sponsors
|
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/403389
rkdjones - Posted - 05/22/2025: 09:17:33
I've been playing a lot more recently and am developing some pain around the base of my nail. I like playing with my natural nails and use clear nail polish (only near the end of my nail). My theory is that the pressure at one end of my nail is putting pressure at the other end. Or maybe I am developing a sensitivity to the nail polish but I try to keep it away from the cuticle and women seem to be able to use nail polish without any issues. Any suggestions short of making the transition to finger picks?
banjered - Posted - 05/22/2025: 09:47:53
More likely you are lightly banging the cuticle with each stroke just enough to irritate it. Aim differently. banjered
GS - Posted - 05/22/2025: 10:02:46
Clear nail polish is no good. Try pink...or red 
Seriously, I hope you get it sorted
Edited by - GS on 05/22/2025 10:03:17
Dan Gellert - Posted - 05/22/2025: 15:13:31
If you were scraping the cuticle against the strings, I'd think it would be very obviously raw there.
From what you say, it sounds like that isn't the case, and it's quite possible that pressure on the end of the nail can exert enough leverage at the base to cause some damage under the cuticle.
How long do you keep your playing nail(s)? The longer it is, the more force it's going to put on the base end. I keep mine short enough that I can play finger style without picks, and the nails never touch the strings, but they're still long enough to get a clear clawhammer sound off the nail edge, without the fingertip interfering or muting the string. I reckon if I look straight at the palm side of my fingertip, and can just barely see the edge of the nail, it's plenty long. Maybe getting a little longer than it should be.
Edited by - Dan Gellert on 05/22/2025 15:18:03
pinenut - Posted - 06/24/2025: 11:58:20
No great suggestions. I can commiserate and confirm your experience.
My nails are soft and flexible and don't last long on steel strings without augmentation of some sort.
Finger nail augmentation leads to longer playing sessions and nail bed sensitivity; especially with steel strings. I don't favor using picks but, I have had sore nail beds while using clawhammer picks too. I've assigned it to overuse and give it rest. Usually, overnight is enough time off for the nail bed to be good again. note: I am currently investigating fiberglass nail wrap, medium super glue and a top coat. We'll see...
Hypothesis:
- The nail polish may create a whiplash load via a slick pop off on the strings.
- nail polish is softer than the nail or most epoxies and the extra drag may present an additional load.
- The load may be concentrated to the base of the nail by unifying and reducing flexibility of the exposed nail.
- longer play times enabled by the protective coating overuse the equipment.
Twp current solutions:
1) Scotch tape on the nail increases my play time on steel strings to about an hour (need new piece of tape after that). I like the tape better than polish because there is no cure time when it needs replacing and transmits to the nail bed less.
2) My best success has been converting a Goodtime banjo to nylon strings. This has opened up my play/practice time to nearly unlimited. Nail bed overuse/sensitivity is nearly impossible and the nail doesn't wear down to unusable. So far, this has been the most practical long term solution.
Edited by - pinenut on 06/24/2025 12:11:30
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
