How To Play Classical Guitar Without Nails!

Brandon May i introduce to the Moroccan Guembri a fretless bass but it sounds pretty magical i hope u try it or do a video abt it

PURCHASED! Brandon, I've being waiting for this for a long time! I'm a full time consultant, therefore I need to type very looooooong documents all the time. Trying to type with nails is incredibly difficult for me, more because I took a course on fast typing a while ago, which I can't use because of this. Now, I'm ready to play with no nails, get my typing speed back, and play beautiful, "round and and warm" music!

im buying a classical guitar tomorrow (first string instrument for me). this will help since i need trimmed nails for work

Quick tip to play without nails: Stop complaining. Play until you get used to it. Stop complaining. That’s it.

The course looks amazing. Question: If someone is eager to learn classical guitar without nails, which course of yours would you recommend starting with (No-nails course, or your introductory course)?

What about lute strings on guitar,I know random but I’m curious

Hi mate, great video! By the way, I don't think the "My Gear" link is working because it just says there is an error when trying to load. I was curious if you could fix it please because I want to know what microphone you use.

Your channel has inspired me to start learning guitar soon I am also a pianist so I can’t grow nails and am super happy that I can learn this instrument without nails ❤

Out of curiosity, do you feel that the skills taught in this course would transfer to steel string playing? I primarily play with the flesh of my fingertips, and a thumb pick.

How about flamenco without nails?

I have played with nails and no nails, but I just can't get the volume without nails

Vy jste to, čemu se česky říká borec.

Been playing fingerstyle bass for 23 years, (as well as some guitar), and I can tell you that Brandon is spitting nothing but facts.

I have been a student of 19C guitar and play without nail, using pressure rather than nail.I believe before about 1855 the guitar was played without nails,Check out some of the Carulli studies and his concertos I believe he played without nail a lot of the time

Hi. I cannot wait to start the course. I can't seem to make a purchase. it says "Stripe Error?"
I've spoken to my bank, everything is clear on my end. Is something up with the website?

Thank you. I'm so excited to start

I have thin nails and they keep breaking. I found out that I don't need them very long to be able to use them but sometimes I have to play with flesh, and I think I'll benefit from your experience. In addition to the nail issue, perhaps most importantly, I need to improve my tone. I have a Cordoba C7 and I want to learn how to make the best sound possible out of it before getting a better instrument.
Warmly, from a French lady 🙂

I wonder what you think about true intonation frets

I'm new on the guitar and am really enjoying the sound nails make on the strings. But in the future I'll try without nails for sure and will get this course for it

Signing up as a ukulele enthusiast looking to learn finger picking wirhout nails

Man I didn't know I had perfect pitch but that Romanza did NOT sound right to my ears 😂

Brandon Music and educational courses are VAT free in the UK. I have just been trying to sign up for your guitar course and no nails course. Your website is adding VAT.

This is a complex area and one that has been through the tribunals on more than a few occasions. My understanding is that "the supply of private tuition, in a subject ordinarily taught in a school or university, by an individual teacher acting independently of an employer" is an exempt supply, but not when provided by a company (unless it is a school per the education act).

Purchased. Dont have Facebook though 😢. As someone very physically active and been playing with nails for 3 years ish now. Its always been a hindrance.

Good afternoon Brandon. GREAT channel. Are you available for interviews?

I'm holding out for the no nail, ADD, tired,old burnt-out, for dummies version!! Love the music, thanks for sharing your incredible talent and love of music. Happy New Year !

Enrolled! 👍 I've been sporadically doing some experiments in playing without nails for a while, I really enjoy the fact that now I can comfortably do tapping on my electric (and I hated nailcare anyway) but I have to say that I'm not very fond of the muffled sound that I'm getting on my classical, so much so that I end up playing very sporadically... hopefully this course will help me find the right tone and rekindle the passion, thanks for sharing your expertise!

YEAAH PLAYING THE GUITAR WITHOUT NAILS MUSIC BECOMES WARMER AND FULLY

I started with classical guitar with a great teacher (Miroslav Kefurt from Czechoslovakia) who gave me great training with nails. However, I eventually progressed to renaissance lute, which is without nails. I struggled between the two because I didn't want to lose the guitar repertoire that I had worked so hard on achieving.
Life interrupted and passed a number of decades not being able to play at all. During Covid lockdowns I came back to lute - this time without nails - and it's going well. However, I'd still like to be able to play some of my original guitar repertoire (like Recuerdos de la Alhambra, Bach BVW 999 (unless I can afford a Baroque lute in the meantime 😁)). So maybe this course will be what I need!
One question - I assume playing nail-less involves using low tension strings (like lute), but what are recommendations for an appropriate guitar (not too expensive) for nail-less playing?

Looks great! Would this course also be of benefit to lute players, or is the no-nails guitar technique significantly different than (say, "thumb out") lute technique?

unfortunately i cant afford it atm but ill try to start playing without nails because of you

I hate having nails to play classical guitar. It's a pain...and I get plenty of weird looks here and there from people that don't know why. I must admit though, I think classical guitar sounds better played with nails. Even on those small clips in this video, some of the notes were a little harder to hear and a bit less defined. Almost "muddy" sounding. It's like the initial attack with the nail defines the note more cleanly. I'll persist for the sound and I'm lucky I can get away with them for my job and the rest of my sports / hobbies.

What a great way to reconnect with classical guitar (and sample your course style), on my way!

Timely episode Brandon, just started playing again after years off, sans nails.

I’m always very impressed with you Brandon, you are breath of fresh air in classical guitar. I have learned so much from you! Thanks!

Now THAT's more like it!

As a medical student, I have always struggled with this, and it has been a big problem for me.

Thank you :)

Hey Brandon I love the content and wanted to ask if you are ever able to make a video regarding the song Leyenda? I know it is a well know ( and long piece) piece and seeing someone with your skill and technique play or comment on this piece would be amazing.

Just a follow up question to my comment on the last vid if you see this. I've found that I can pick up an 6 course/12 string Muzikkon electric oud online for a couple of hundred. If I strung it like a lute, tuned it like a lute and added gut frets. Do you think that would work for a lute beginner?

I started guitar with classical lessons and later took lessons as an adult, and that teacher was good with no nail.
I haven’t kept up with it, but still play classical sometimes
But my classical is getting fixed right now (regluing bridge, and cleaning up a previous repair)
I also play bass with my fingers, so long nails don’t work. So no nails works well.

I've been playing a lot of finger style picking on various guitars, acoustic, electric, classical and I don't have long fingernails at all... it can be done.

Purchased! It's been a dream to be able to play without nails with as much volume and proficiency as I did with nails in the past. Really appreciate you distilling your experience down and sharing it with us.

You nailed it.

Taken the plunge, no nails! Here we go...

when I saw thomas dunford play the lute without nails, only with his fingertips and produce a warmer sound I liked the idea, now I only play with my fingertips and I like the sound better.

Could we have some new "Guitar tips" videos like the tremolo ones? Loved that series!

How short should the nails on your left hand be and were on the tip of your fingers should you press the string to the fret and develop calluses. Thank you in advance.

Because I also play Piano it's almost impossible for me to grow out my nails and play with nails, I hope this course will help others.

I switched to classical in 2018 and still trying to figure out how to correctly shape my nails. Though I'm very surprised by the guitarists that didn't have nails as I've mostly focused on arrangements from Sor, Carcassi and Tarrega. Covered some Giuliani and Segovia but mostly for right hand exercises and scales.