How short do you cut your left hand nails?

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Permalink Reply by Laurel Thomsen on October 8, 2009 at 9:01pm

For violin/viola I cut them pretty short...with only a mm or so left. When I place my fingertips on the strings, if the nails are anywhere close to hitting the fingerboard, either when my fingers are still or during vibrato, they bother me and effect my playing, especially speed. My nails grow really fast so I clip them weekly and always keep clippers in my purse as I have often had to trim up before a performance or rehearsal.

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Permalink Reply by Monica Hesse on October 8, 2009 at 9:28pm

Laurel, thanks for your reply. Believe it or not on my very first cello lesson I embarrassed my self because the teacher said 'it would help if you cut your nails' instinctively I hid my nails behind the neck of the cello when she said that!!
Monica

Laurel Thomsen said:

For violin/viola I cut them pretty short...with only a mm or so left. When I place my fingertips on the strings, if the nails are anywhere close to hitting the fingerboard, either when my fingers are still or during vibrato, they bother me and effect my playing, especially speed. My nails grow really fast so I clip them weekly and always keep clippers in my purse as I have often had to trim up before a performance or rehearsal.

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Permalink Reply by Laurel Thomsen on October 9, 2009 at 10:03am

Something similar happened when I was about 10. I was in the first rehearsal of the youth orchestra, proud to be playing first chair, when the teacher said loud enough for everyone to hear: " You have such pretty long nails, make sure you cut them next time." I turned beet red.

Monica Hesse said:

Laurel, thanks for your reply. Believe it or not on my very first cello lesson I embarrassed my self because the teacher said 'it would help if you cut your nails' instinctively I hid my nails behind the neck of the cello when she said that!!
Monica

Laurel Thomsen said:

For violin/viola I cut them pretty short...with only a mm or so left. When I place my fingertips on the strings, if the nails are anywhere close to hitting the fingerboard, either when my fingers are still or during vibrato, they bother me and effect my playing, especially speed. My nails grow really fast so I clip them weekly and always keep clippers in my purse as I have often had to trim up before a performance or rehearsal.

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Permalink Reply by Monica Hesse on October 9, 2009 at 10:10am

I am sure it was not funny back then but that is a little hilarious! I am sorry I had to laugh.

Laurel Thomsen said:

Something similar happened when I was about 10. I was in the first rehearsal of the youth orchestra, proud to be playing first chair, when the teacher said loud enough for everyone to hear: " You have such pretty long nails, make sure you cut them next time." I turned beet red.

Monica Hesse said:

Laurel, thanks for your reply. Believe it or not on my very first cello lesson I embarrassed my self because the teacher said 'it would help if you cut your nails' instinctively I hid my nails behind the neck of the cello when she said that!!
Monica

Laurel Thomsen said:

For violin/viola I cut them pretty short...with only a mm or so left. When I place my fingertips on the strings, if the nails are anywhere close to hitting the fingerboard, either when my fingers are still or during vibrato, they bother me and effect my playing, especially speed. My nails grow really fast so I clip them weekly and always keep clippers in my purse as I have often had to trim up before a performance or rehearsal.

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Torosian on October 16, 2009 at 11:08am

I keep my nails pretty short too. I play violin, viola, and guitar, and it drives me CRAZY when I forget to trim them every week or so. Otherwise, I can feel my nails tapping against the fingerboard, and it messes up my vibrato. :p Anywho, to answer your question, I trim mine so that there's just a little bit of the whiter part left, that's all. Don't cut them any shorter than that, though-it's bad for your nails, and it can hurt when you play.

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Permalink Reply by Monica Hesse on October 16, 2009 at 6:09pm

I am glad to know I am not at all alone in this thnx again!

Kelly Torosian said:

I keep my nails pretty short too. I play violin, viola, and guitar, and it drives me CRAZY when I forget to trim them every week or so. Otherwise, I can feel my nails tapping against the fingerboard, and it messes up my vibrato. :p Anywho, to answer your question, I trim mine so that there's just a little bit of the whiter part left, that's all. Don't cut them any shorter than that, though-it's bad for your nails, and it can hurt when you play.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Baird on December 23, 2009 at 11:04am

Perhaps this is a little late for a reply, but I cut them twice a week (they grow pretty fast) in order to play in thumb position. 'Course as a guy it could be less of a big deal for me. . . .

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Permalink Reply by Monica Hesse on December 23, 2009 at 12:28pm

I am not your tipical vain female when it comes to manicures. (when I get a manicure, I just tell them to cut my nails no polish please!). Your reply to me is never too late. I will always welcome replies even if they are the day before I croak!
I had posed the question because one time when I was practicing my bass guitar plucking the strings were becoming noisy and troublesome and also when I played cello! The nails are a sacrifice to ladies that are just beginning to take up a stringed instrument!

Daniel Baird said:

Perhaps this is a little late for a reply, but I cut them twice a week (they grow pretty fast) in order to play in thumb position. 'Course as a guy it could be less of a big deal for me. . . .

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Permalink Reply by Lexi Bassett on December 31, 2009 at 1:21pm

ha ha this going to sound funny but i haven't cut my nails since i started playing cello 2 years ago !! they dont grow anymore and no i am not a rabbit i don't bite them !! i guess the strings just wear them down

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Permalink Reply by viola chick on January 2, 2010 at 8:08pm

I keep mine pretty short, too. Have since I started playing some 20+ years ago. It's funny though because I cut them because I can't stand them if they get to a certain length - which is usually sooner then when they'd actually cause problems with playing. And I cut nails on my right hand as short as my left.

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Permalink Reply by Monica Hesse on January 2, 2010 at 8:34pm

Yep gotta keep them short! Nails seem to be a no no with quite a few instruments!

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Permalink Reply by Sylvia Casterton on January 13, 2010 at 8:06pm

Yes. You are right it will interfere with the sound intonation nuances virtually everything. Not to mention how distracting it will be every time you notice!
I suggest they be short enough that with palms up you cannot see them.

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