I've been playing for years. Mostly using picks, but also finger picking. My problem has always been that I've got weak fingernails. A nail eventually tears and I can't finger pick again until the nail grows back. Are there any suggestions for safe supplements for growing stronger fingernails?

I'm not sure about supplements, but the longer mine get, the weaker they are. So I usually have them just long enough to do the job.

A lot of professional fingerstyle players get fake nails on their pick hand. Then they will file them on their own to get the desired pluck/feel.

I've already warned my wife that when we retire, at some point I'll grow my pick hand nails to see what its like playing. I spend half my time on my acoustic doing finger style stuff.

Edit: I misread I believe. If you mean just regular finger playing breaks nails, NOT you've grown your nails specifically for guitar - then I have no answer. The fake nail thing may still do the trick though. Get one applied whenever your natural nail splits. The risk is that makes your nails even weaker in the long run.

Garrelli 5000 said:

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A lot of professional fingerstyle players get fake nails on their pick hand. Then they will file them on their own to get the desired pluck/feel.

I've already warned my wife that when we retire, at some point I'll grow my pick hand nails to see what its like playing. I spend half my time on my acoustic doing finger style stuff.

Edit: I misread I believe. If you mean just regular finger playing breaks nails, NOT you've grown your nails specifically for guitar - then I have no answer. The fake nail thing may still do the trick though. Get one applied whenever your natural nail splits. The risk is that makes your nails even weaker in the long run.

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Didn't mean to be confusing. I grow out my fingernails on my right hand for guitar specifically. They don't tear playing guitar, they tear when I'm working. I'm just wanting to try using a vitamin or something to strengthen the fingernails so they don't tear or break so easily.

Search "Knox for nails"

Take the Tony Iommi route...

I don't have any fingernails, and I can finger pick fine lol.

62strat said:

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I don't have any fingernails, and I can finger pick fine lol.

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I actually find it easier to do it without nails. Weird?

Gretchen doesn't use fingernails. She seems smart.

MSFC Aggie said:

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62strat said:

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I don't have any fingernails, and I can finger pick fine lol.

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I actually find it easier to do it without nails. Weird?

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I don't think so. I think large majority of players don't use their nail, or that little thing you slip on your finger. I can't use that thing very well at all.

62strat said:

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I don't have any fingernails, and I can finger pick fine lol.

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That sounds nice. I have to have a little bit of nail or I can't seem to get a clean sound.