Mastering Fingerpicking: Do You Need Fake Nails?

Guitarists use false nails, nail wraps, or gel coatings to give their natural nails some protection and sturdier material to use in playing. However, nothing beats the feel of using real nails, so best follow our advice on fingernail maintenance.

Guitarists use false nails, nail wraps or gel coatings for protection

Some guitarists use false nails, nail wraps or gel coatings to give their natural nails some protection. For more heavy playing, fake nails made from plastic or acrylic nails are suitable. These nails are glued on top of your natural nails and give you a sturdier material to use in playing.

Finger-picking is achieved by using the flesh of your fingers or by using nails. There is also the option of equipping finger picks, which work like a guitar pick but are attached to your fingers.

There isn't a one way of plucking the strings so you should always try different approaches until you find the one that works for you. If your nails quickly wear down easily, consider fake nails as an option, and maybe give it a try.

It takes around two to three weeks to grow out nails long enough for you to play some fingerpicking stuff. So, if you are looking to try this, make sure you plan ahead!

Synthetic guitar strings are more common than playing with the flesh

Historically, playing with the flesh on your fingers used to be the common way of playing before synthetic guitar strings like nylon strings or steel strings were introduced.

There are many guitarists who play fingerstyle with trimmed nails. Finger-picking is achieved by using the flesh of your fingers or by using nails. Some guitarists use false nails, while others use nail wraps or gel coatings to give their nails some layer of protection. For more heavy playing, fake nails made from plastic or acrylic nails are suitable.

There isn’t a one way of plucking the strings so you should always try different approaches until you find the one that works for you. It takes around two to three weeks to grow out nails long enough for you to play some fingerpicking stuff. If your nails quickly wear down easily, consider fake nails as an option, and maybe give it a try.

You can switch between picks and fingers with practice. Learn to use both, and use them as needed by the music you’re playing. Yes, some guitarists use false nails, while others use nail wraps or gel coatings to give their nails some layer of protection.

Equipping finger picks is an alternative to fingerpicking

Finger-picking is achieved by using the flesh of your fingers or by using nails. Historically, playing with the flesh on your fingers used to be the common way of playing before synthetic guitar strings like nylon strings or steel strings were introduced.

Some guitarists use false nails, while others use nail wraps or gel coatings to give their nails some layer of protection. For more heavy playing, fake nails made from plastic or acrylic nails are suitable. These nails are glued on top of your natural nails and give you a sturdier material to use in playing. It takes around two to three weeks to grow out nails long enough for you to play some fingerpicking stuff. If your nails quickly wear down easily, consider fake nails as an option, and maybe give it a try.

Nails are glued on top of natural nails for sturdier material

Historically, playing with the flesh on your fingers used to be the common way of playing before synthetic guitar strings like nylon strings or steel strings were introduced. There isn’t a one way of plucking the strings so you should always try different approaches until you find the one that works for you.

There is also the option of equipping finger picks, which work like a guitar pick but are attached to your fingers. The answer is No, as evidenced by the many guitarists who play fingerstyle with trimmed nails.

As the name implies, this technique requires nimble picking hand fingers, allowing for plucking multiple notes simultaneously. Finger-picking is achieved by using the flesh of your fingers or by using nails.

You don’t really have to choose, since you can switch between picks and fingers with practice. So whichever your personal preference is, or what the song requires, you don’t have to limit yourself.

Fake nails are suitable for heavy playing

Guitarists use false nails, nail wraps, or gel coatings to give their natural nails some protection. For heavy playing, fake nails made from plastic or acrylic are suitable.

False nails are glued on top of your natural nails and give you a sturdier material to use in playing. Nothing beats the feel of using real nails, so best follow our advice on fingernail maintenance.

There is also the option of equipping finger picks, which work like a guitar pick but are attached to your fingers. The answer is No, as evidenced by the many guitarists who play fingerstyle with trimmed nails.

Historically, playing with the flesh on your fingers used to be the common way of playing before synthetic guitar strings like nylon strings or steel strings were introduced.

Finger-picking is achieved by using the flesh of your fingers or by using nails. As the name implies, this technique requires nimble picking hand fingers, allowing for plucking multiple notes simultaneously.

Frequently asked questions