The Right Hand – 12/14/2008

Tone Production

The right hand produces sound. Although the quality of tone is determined by both hands, the type of tone and the volume are controlled primarily by the right hand.

There are seven ingredients that go into tone production:

1.        Nail length and shape.

2.        Choice of stroke: free stroke or rest stroke.

3.        Hand position and the angle of the fingers to the strings.

4.        How the fingertip and nail approach the string.

5.        How the fingertip and nail prepare on the string.

6.        Finger pressure against the string.

7.        The release of the fingertip and nail from the string.

Each of these ingredients influences all the others. One will generally determine what comes next. For instance, your choice of rest stroke or free stroke will determine your hand position, and therefore the angle of the finger to the string. This will then determine how the finger approaches the string, and thus how the finger is finally prepared on the string. All of these contribute to the security of the fingers on the string and your ability to apply the appropriate pressure; and the pressure inevitably effects how the string will be released. The length and shape of the fingernail effects how successfully you will be able to carry out all of the various parts of the stroke.

Nail Length and Shape

If a nail is too long, the speed and ease with which the fingertip and nail go through the string is considerably diminished. This is because the resistance has been increased. A bad nail shape can also create undesirable resistance against the string and cause some very interesting but unsavory sounds.

The reason we play with our fingernails at all is to assist us in securing and controlling the string, and to enhance our volume and tone. So, it is important that you grow and shape them in a way that will make it easier to play and sound good.

The following illustrations show some different nail types and ways to shape them. You’ll also see how to gauge their length.

Nail Length

To gauge the length of your nail, hold your finger out horizontally and then place a file against the fingertip at a right angle. If the nail and flesh touch the file at about the same time, the length is good. If you have to tilt the file forward or back the nail is either too long or too short.

Nail Types

These nail types represent the four basic shapes: curved (Type A), flat (Type B), hooked downwards (Type C), and bent upwards (Type D). While the curved shape is ideal, the latter three shapes are the most common.