An eternal problem, I know, but: does anyone have any advice for preserving/protecting/strengthening right hand (or plucking-hand) fingernails? I've experimented with superglue and nail varnish, but not to great effect. Although I'd rather keep nails as natural as possible, one of my nails in particular tends to split in a certain place when I play for more than a short time, and needs some kind of protection or reinforcement. Any help gratefully received! (I play nylon strings, but I'm sure steel strings would be much worse!)

Buy some vitamin E capsules and use the oil on your nails. I make a hole with a pin and keep one capsule going for a week, using it morning and last thing at night. Your nails will improve within a fortnight. Nail varnish dries them out and is beat avoided.

Son's teacher used to encourage him to take collagen supplements. I make lots of chicken soup with the cheap wingtips too.

Son's teacher used to encourage him to take collagen supplements. I make lots of chicken soup with the cheap wingtips too.

Thanks, that's one I haven't heard of before! Do you mind if I ask where you got the idea: did someone recommend it, and do you know others who have tried it? I'll give it a try.

My teacher told me to do it. It works really well.

get some emery paper from a hardware store instead of using a file. It will make your nails much smoother. I use "P1200",

you will find that once you have had your nails long and playing for a while they will naturally become tough. I play with really long nails on my right hand and they havn't split for at least a year.