Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Thumbnail Care
How Long Should Your Thumb Nails Be?

I like my thumb nails to extend about 1/8 of an inch beyond the thumb flesh. If they get longer, I have more control, especially on glissandos; however, the longer, floppier nails make more of a clicking noise against the kalimba tines. You can reduce that click by angling your thumbs a bit. If the thumb nail is flat (i.e., parallel to the tine) you get more click. If the thumb nail is more pointing downward, you get less click.

But longer thumb nails also break more easily. Something as simple as reaching for your silverware drawer or reaching for a door knob can result in a quick and devastating break.

 

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