Fingernails
It is best to fingerpick the strings with your fingernails as this gives a better sound. Let the fingernails of your right hand grow to a length that is comfortable for your playing with attention to the following points.
- The length of the nail should be approximately 2 - 3mm (3/32 - 5/32"). Generally the middle finger has the shortest nail and the ring finger the longest.
- The thumb nail should be longer than all three fingers.
- Fingernails should be shaped using a nail file (emery board) so that they have a rounded edge and flow smoothly off the string after it has been picked.
- Experiment with the overall shape of each nail.
You may find having a fingernail longer on one side of the finger helpful with picking a string cleanly.
The letters p, i, m and a are used to indicate the right hand fingers.