Help!

Viohazard broke his middle finger (m) nail really badly, tearing it into the quick, 2 days before his annual student concert. He also has his ABRSM guitar exam in 10 days

He tried playing just with the flesh of his fingerpad, but since there's absolutely no free nail at present, the sound was so quiet that the whole dynamics of the pieces were affected. So for his concert, he used an ALaska Pik on his middle finger, even though he didn't have any nail to fit the end of the pick under.

Problem is, it may be that the ABRSM won't permit such a pick for an exam on nylon-string classical guitar. (I'm going to contact them to find out).

I doubt if his nail will grow more than 1-2mm in 10 days. I think it may be too short to glue an artificial nail on to, and I hear that it can be painful and perhaps even tear the nail from the bed if you try to play strongly with an artificial nail.

How do other guitarists cope with such mishaps? This is the worst break he's ever had, and I'm at a loss.

Oh dear, so sorry to hear that. I've never been in such a position but perhaps he could try the Savarez Nail kit which you can buy from here (they deliver very quickly) Stafford Guitar Centre

Thanks for that advice! I've found a Japanese supplier too, so will discuss that with Viohazard's guitar teacher today.

Nail silk's probably your only option. Experiment with it quite a bit though - the first time I tried it, it quite quickly dropped off. You need to get the knack.

I've spoken to people who do acoustic fingerstyle who use acrylic nail extensions - I guess a trip to a salon might sort him out? Not sure though, I don't think I'd fancy playing with acrylic nails.

How ironic.

No sooner than I read this topic have I gone and broken one of my nails (a) too Mutual sniffs and commiserations all round. I've never broken one of those fingernails before this, only the much more vulnerable thumbnail. It takes ages to grow but I can't be dealing with funny glued on ones! Just have to put up with dead notes

Sara

Best of luck Sara! Tried any of those brush-on nail "feeding" things? I'm thinking I'm going to try those on Viohazard, to see if his nails will get any stronger.

Meerkat, thanks for info on nail silk - I've never quite understood what it's all about (since I have rather fragile fingernails and type a lot, I've never grown them long! ). I think he still has the chunk of nail he tore off, so will take it to the salon.

Viohazard's teacher says he's got as far as pacing back and forth in front of a nail salon with a badly torn nail, but never quite got in the door! He stuck on an artificial nail and said it was OK but definitely felt different when playing - artificial nail or ALaska Pik was his recommendation.

I've had this happen to me... Stick a false acrylic nail on, file it to the shape you want, have a go with that.
Just like the real thing

My best "glue" story is a while ago when I had a half ripped off thumb nail which I thought I would salvage with the aid of Superglue. So I glued the nail back across and was fairly pleased with the result, so I told my husband and he was appalled He said I'd probably fused the nail to the skin underneath and would need an operation to remove the nail Thankfully Superglue isn't actually that good and it didnt hold for more than a week but it had me really worried for a time and the nail had to be filed down to sort it out after that anyway.

Now I stick to Calcium tablets and sometimes nail strengthening polish

Sara

Acetate is the thing for that.. When you've done dip your finger, nail and all, in an acetate bath. The whole lot dissolves.
Available at your nearest pharmacy

So, we braved the nail salon! Viohazard says the artificial nail is fine to play with - much, much better than the ALaska Pik he used for his concert. Since he was fairly happy with the ALaska Pik, I guess that means it's a *big* improvement.

I bought some silk wraps and glue to practice repairing minor tears, plus acetone for removing messed-up silks and artificial nails.

Also got some stuff to rub in to cuticles and nails - he'll have the most cosseted nails of any 12-year old boy for miles around !

Earlier this year my eldest decided on do it yourself false nails. they were a mess, but she wouldn't take them off... until her sister's Oboe Teacher commented on them! Then it was acitone and pulled faces until they were removed!

Yes...not looking forward to acetone time next week .

It's ok, don't worry....
It just feels a bit cold

How did the exam go?

Exam tomorrow...at distant location, change trains several times, walk from station with very old, non-weatherproof guitar case...FORECAST IS FOR RAIN!

Nail is holding up well so far. I think it was worth getting it professionally done.

P.S. Nail held up so well for the exam today that it's impossible to get off - return trip to nail salon needed! Rain held off till we got back home, Viohazard somewhat optimistic after exam, but so tired by the time he got home again that he was wallowing in despair and sure he'd failed, sky was falling, etc. Another day tomorrow!

Glad things went well for you and that no disasters befell you. I'm sure your son will see things as the are at the dawn of a new day.

Good Luck wiht the result!

Thanks notmusimum, and I also wanted to say how much I like your posts. I always have the impression that you are supporting your child, and never dragging them along behind your!

Viohazard got a small rip in another nail a few days ago, so we got out the silk nail wraps, and he practiced on one of my nails before cutting a tiny patch of sillk to put over the tear (hanging over the nail end slightly), and putting a couple of tiny drips of false nail glue on top of that. When it was dry, he trimmed the excess silk, and filed the nail end and glue surface lightly It's all but invisible. I think you are supposed to put the silk over the whole nail for cosmetic purposes, but when you want to minimize glue damage to the natural nail, a small patch seems fine.

The nail salon was too busy to take him over the weekend, so we tried to remove the nail at home. Not a good idea - damaged the nail underneath slightly. I think we didn't soak it in acetone long enough. In that situation, he should probably have just trimmed the false nail back a bit and waited to get it removed properly. Never mind, it did the job in the exam!

Sorry if this is too much information, but Viohazard's guitar teacher was most interested to see how the nail and silk had worked out (he has very strong nails himself), so I thought some other people might like to know how Viohazard managed, in case they face a similar situation in future! Viohazard would post himself, if his English were better...I don't think it's quite up to discussing false nails .

I'm sure he could give the girls a few tips!!! How long will you have to wiat for the result of his exam?

By the way when it comes to my youngest I'm definately the one who gets dragged along. Dad still doesn't know one half the stuff she gets up to and understands even less!!!