Lack of bass tone!

[Aram]

Hello!

I've found how to shape my nails to play the guitar I mean the harsh noise because of
illformed nails isn't heard anymore.
Very clear tone is the new problem with my nails. After filing them even the bass tone is clearer then it becomes acceptable in some days of playing. You may suggest me to shape them in another way. I examined different forms, but the produced notes were not clean.
Some advice is needed.
Thank you!

Aram

[Rick-in-Annapolis]

If by not clean you mean you get a scratchy sound, this is a common problem. One thing you can do is to
strike the bass strings at a right angle; anything less causes your nail to slide across the wound strings; thus
causing the scratchy sound.

[Aram]

Hello Rick!

Thank you for your answer. Perhaps the problem derives from my i-m-a nails. The treble strings sounds louder than the bass ones. I wonder how they reproduce normal sound after some days! Filing the nails has been a real challenge to me.

Aram

[joehydro]

Hello Rick!

The treble strings sounds louder than the bass ones.

Aram

Do you mean when you play the bass strings with your fingers or with your thumb?

I'm self taught and for years I played bass notes much too quietly with my thumb (in relation to the treble strings). When I finally heard a recording of my playing, I realized the bass melody wasn't pronounced as it should be. It took me a while to figure out the importance of rest strokes with my thumb (I always use the fleshy part of my thumb).

I also occasionally find it useful to use my thumbnail with a slightly softer stroke to match the sound of my other fingers as well.

Its very important to coordinate the power you put into the strokes. I now carefully imagine the power I want to put in each stroke before I release, and most importantly, feel the tension released after each stroke, so that each finger is relaxed again and does not stay tense during a quick passage.

If you mean your i m a fingers aren't producing good tone on the bass strings, try turning your hand from the wrist more towards the bridge (John Williams Style) so your nails don't scratch down the strings and make that rough 'rrrip' sound. I try not to use my fingers on the bass strings unless it's necessary.

Hope some of this has helped!

[Aram]

Hope some of this has helped!

Thank you for your kind answer joehydro!
I do find it helpful indeed.

I had this problem when to play the bass strings with my thumb nail, but I've recently found that with longer thumb nail the problem is solved in any way.

Aram