Picking the Strings
It is best to pick the strings with your fingernails as this gives a better sound. Grow your fingernails to a comfortable length for your playing with attention to the following points.
- The length of the nail should be approx. 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.