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Post by Charlie Huang on Nov 26, 2004 12:42:01 GMT
I've got some pipa nails but am not sure how you attach them to your fingers. What do you use? Sticky tape? Leather bands? Elastic bands? What?
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Post by YouLanFengChune on Nov 26, 2004 14:00:30 GMT
Use the cloth adhesive tape.
Its available at medicinal halls as Jiao Pu. Simply put the nails onto your own nails and wrap the tape around.
When i went Japan, my buddy ran out of it, we used duct tape instead, kinda thick, and you have to trim it down, but hey it works.
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Post by Charlie Huang on Nov 26, 2004 14:27:06 GMT
Thanks! time for me to pop down to the shops!  |
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Post by Charlie Huang on Dec 16, 2004 19:17:13 GMT
I've tried putting them on with the tape, and it's OK I guess. But it's tricky trying to get them on in a way that doesn't make them move. Also, the tape sorta gets in the way sometimes. I can play without them, but techniques like lun, are easier executed with them on. I'll have to experiment more to find out a better way to put them on.
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Post by yopparai on Aug 21, 2006 14:21:46 GMT
Any chance of someone posting pictures of the nails themselves and of them properly affixed on the fingers?
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Post by Charlie Huang on Aug 21, 2006 14:58:33 GMT
Erm! Good lordi, haven't used pipa nails for a long time since I use my long fingernails...
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czy
Intermediate
Posts: 42 
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Post by czy on Aug 21, 2008 15:35:51 GMT
speaking about nails, have you heard of fibreglass nails?they cost quite a lot. bt good.anyone know where to get them???
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Post by Wags on Sept 25, 2008 9:40:12 GMT
Hello,
I've a question about pipa nails. Can regular slide guitar nails be used? I'm wondering if it would affect the sound or possibly even be too heavy for the strings/instrument in general?
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Post by jetz320 on Sept 26, 2008 1:45:46 GMT
it may produce a different tone. i use guzheng nails occasionally, if i dont want to put on pipa nails, the tone is more mellow. so it does make a difference
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Post by shirokitsune on Nov 11, 2008 8:06:11 GMT
Jetz:
Yes, it does make a difference, somehow. I've tried using synthetic nails and the sound is really bright. But when I use faux tortoise shell nails, the sound is quite mellow. It's probably the density of the material.
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Post by frogprince on Apr 5, 2009 23:59:28 GMT
Hello all,
Got a question on nails right now. As i am still at beginner stage, the nails i am using is those white acrylic ones, i suppose i can say the cheapest type in market.
I realise that its a little flat, doesn't really sit nicely with the curvature of our fingers. My teacher says that i have to dip it inside hot water first, bring up and bend.. do it until the curvature is out... whow really we have to do it this way??
Then... last week, teacher wanted to help me trim my first finger nail.. cos when i 'sao' i keep eating on the string (terrible pain).. but unfortunately, he broke the whole nail while trying to cut.. hahaha... so he gave me a black colour one... i dont know whats the name of the material.. but i doubt its turtle shell.
However i find that these better quality nails are curved! And sits nicely on the finger...
Was thinking and need to ask you guys.. is it necessary to trim again?
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czy
Intermediate
Posts: 42
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Post by czy on May 16, 2009 16:10:22 GMT
trim?as in trim the poorer quality ones?
or the better ones?
actually it is to your own preference.
if you find the shape of the nails do not sit nicely and comfortably on your finger, perhaps you can file it(the bottom) or perhaps alter the position at which you paste the nail on your jiao bu, or perhaps alter how you position the nails when you put them on your fingers(:
at least thats wat i do.
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Post by caidanbi on Sept 15, 2009 19:22:44 GMT
I just recently started learning to play, and I'm really not happy using the pipa nails - they seem to deaden the feel of things when I'm playing. I don't know if that makes sense or not, maybe it's just me. But I'm finding that I really prefer to just play with my real nails - they are quite long and strong. Does anyone else feel this way? Or maybe it's just because of the nails I'm using. I haven't been able to get any other kinds to try yet.
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Post by davidmdahl on Sept 16, 2009 0:06:03 GMT
Earlier in this thread Charlie wrote that he uses his own finger nails, so you are not alone in this preference, caidanbi. This is common as well among steel string acoustic guitar players. You might google on guitar nails to see what the options are for guitar players. Some of the tricks might work well on pipa.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by coyootie on Oct 16, 2009 15:52:35 GMT
greetings. flamenco guitar players have been using superglue and regular toilet paper(!!!) to build up/strengthen nails. I've also used many kinds of Oriental fibrous mulberry paper, works great. just build up a couple layers and file like your own nails.
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Post by denis on Feb 1, 2011 10:10:06 GMT
I only use my own nails as I am sure I get a much better tone out of the instrument. I know a guitarist who fashions nails from ping-pong balls and very effective they are but a lot of work.
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Post by thegreatpipaist on Feb 11, 2013 1:56:04 GMT
well I'm quite confused about my pipa nails... I'm now using the special plastic nails but it breaks easily. I have already re-buy my nails twice. the quality in Indonesia is very low I think. can anybody suggest me a good quality nails in low price?
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Post by joepip on Jun 17, 2013 17:42:16 GMT
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Post by samuelwong on Jan 18, 2014 11:12:38 GMT
There is a maker, Liu Yu Hong who makes excellent nails... almost all the professionals in China use his acrylic creations. He has nail tape too, which he formulated with a maker, specially for pipa use. Its a bit sticky but it looks flesh coloured and its rather breathable (especially when one practices for long periods of time). The link below would show some of his products. hope this helps! www.shopitchina.com/item/2839208848Sam |
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Post by samuelwong on Jan 18, 2014 11:17:58 GMT
Also to add, his nylon nails are amazing too...(it absorbs residual nail sounds when playing, its a bit like shock absorbent technology, or at least thats what he told me when i met him in beijing years ago), but its definitely more expensive. www.shopitchina.com/item/2839246732I personally use this combination: thumb: acrylic, forefinger: nylon, middle-last fingers: acrylic. Largely because the forefingers are very much bound to wear and tear, especially when one practices the sao branch of techniques. |
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Post by svvin on Jan 20, 2014 16:18:30 GMT
And now... Pipa playing experience revolution is coming with this message! Forget about tape! What? Is that possible? Yeeees! Here:  Fred Kelly Freedom fingerpicks! Please note that the split part goes on the underside of the finger so that the solid part goes over your fingernail. How does that sound? OK, for the thumb you'll still have to find something as even the Large size of these Freedoms is quite tight fit on the average size fingers. I got the Large ones and my fingers are of the average size. I got them originally for the Clawhammer banjo playing because I cannot grow a fingernail long enough because it breaks easily. If you think the clawhammer banjo technique is similar to the outward finger action of pipa playing though the motion is completely different. In clawhammer banjo the motion comes from the wrist, not the fingers. Anyway what about this idea? Maybe not a revolution but at least a good substitution? |
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Post by sutong on Jan 20, 2014 18:49:57 GMT
They look great! And hand decorated with Fred Kelly's writing. Are they expensive?
Try it out and report back. I've tried metal and plastic ones for classical guitar. The take some practice.
What do you think of the Deering Vega? Everyone needs an open back banjo to put the other musicians in their place.
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Post by svvin on Jan 20, 2014 19:49:09 GMT
I need to buy my pipa first to judge, you know my other thread currently receives some good input. :-)
Also once I get my first pipa I can't be really a judge of the Fred Kelly picks for this specific apllication since I have no pipa playing experience.
So, it's a task for someone more experienced to try them out and report back.
Yes, they are relatively expensive picks but I got a pack of 12 so there was some small quantity discount.
As I just mentioned in another thread I don't buy expensive instruments. In this case any Gibson or any other expensive brand is out of the consideration for me. I'm happy with cheaper quality instruments. I've got a Recording King California Delux made in China and I'm quite happy with it. I don't bash Chinese instruments when they are well made like some other guys on the Internet forums do just for the sake of bashing.
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Post by sutong on Jan 20, 2014 21:28:52 GMT
Buy your pipa first then we can talk picks!
I'm so happy to get a pipa to learn (even with all of my 561M limits). When I do rolls and portamento finger bends on the pipa, life is more exciting haha
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Post by christephens on Feb 25, 2015 14:39:42 GMT
Are those picks comfortable? It seems like the split on the bottom side would pinch the skin. I've tried using plastic banjo picks as well but they were too long and too loose for pipa. I would love an alternative to the taped nails though. I'm trying to make something reusable with velcro but its too thick.
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