The right hand in this position plays at around a 45-degree angle so this point of contact should happen naturally as you approach the string with index, middle, and ring fingers. When the nails are nice and short, try placing fingers on various strings aiming for the left side of the finger at the point where the nail would start if grown out. Before trying this, make sure the nails are cut as short as possible (don’t cut them too short and hurt your fingers!). When you play with the curved “C” shape in a classical position, you want to make contact on the tip of the finger. The nails don’t make contact from this position. You will use this point of contact even when you grow out your nails to produce a warm sound. When playing with an extended index finger in the traditional style of ukulele playing, you make contact with the string on the pad of the finger away from the nail. The thumb pick requires changing your thumb position to a place higher off the strings so the pick has enough clearance. Some use a plastic thumb pick that adds volume when strumming and picking individual notes. Many great ukulele artists continue using this technique without nails. Starting out without nails will produce a warm tone and will allow you to focus on the motion of the fingers as you develop coordination, control, and relaxation in the right hand. We will always keep the left (fretting) hand nails short so that they don’t get in the way as you keep your fingers curved when making contact with the strings and fingerboard. With this in mind, I would highly recommend not using nails when you fist start learning the ukulele. They can also break, can get rough and uneven producing a weak, shrill sound, and can catch on the strings accidentally if not shaped properly. Should you use nails or no nails when playing fingerstyle ukulele? Using fingernails in the right (strumming and picking) hand can add volume and a range of tones to your ukulele playing.
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