Hi,
I was wondering if anybody had any good ideas for how to protect finger nails whilst using them on the strings? My finger nails are really soft and are just being shredded by the shamisen’s strings when I use them. Does anybody know if there is a way to harden finger nails?
Thanks for your thoughts…
To harden fingernails, you can use a clear fingernail varnish, it’ll do the trick.
I have very soft nails as well though I haven’t had any issues with them whilst playing.
Hi Calvin. Thanks for the tip. I’ve been trying acrylic nail hardenner for a few days now that smells very much like nail varnish, so I think it is the same thing but with titanium! Sadly not a moment ago I was pressing my nail down on the string and just using the bachi as normal and it just split about a third of the way up the nail bed. I’m thinking of trying glue on nails! French polish maybe, perhaps I can get ones with little bachi on, or blue birds or something…
Try growing them out a little, and cutting a notch into your nail for the string to slide into.
I know a number of pro and semi-pro guitarists who have their picking nails manicured with acrylic glue-ons. Sounds weird, but they all swear by the practice and tell me that you get used to the feeling quickly. One of those people is Tuck of Tuck and Patti, who you should listen to if you never have. He is a genius and she has some kind of pipes and their daughter is the recording artist St Vincent, proving that you should pick your parents carefully.
Luckily for me, I need to use toenail clippers to cut my hornlike fingernails, but that was probably too much sharing. I do eat a lot of eggs, so maybe it’s a protein thing. Knox gelatin used to advertise that eating gelatin (Jello) would strengthen nails.
I typically have quite soft nails as well, and have been an avid chewer most of my life. having said that, I have yet to have any problems with my nails while playing. The only nail that touches the string for me is my first finger, which I spent a lot of time focusing on accuracy so I don’t slip off the string. My nail wears down rather quickly, however, because my nail is very soft I typically don’t get a notch 
Is there any chance you’re either using your finger nails on the ichi no ito or the ni no ito? That would definitely shred my nails. Perhaps your san no ito is too heavy a gauge or too hard of a material? Look for Nylon or Tetron if you have any access to it. If not, Bachido certainly can provide you with good strings.
Good luck!
Firstly i would recommend just having about 1mm of white nail at the tip,not cut too near the pink. The nailhardeners containing formaldehyde can make nails brittle if used too often!
The type of protective nail wrap sold as a fine acrylic mesh is very good. Cut enough to cover the top half of the nail, press onto nail then gently feed nailglue onto it until it turns transparent. Allow to dry completely then file off any overhang. Gently buff with fine sandpaper for a less shiny surface.
Nailglue on the skin once dry can be sanded away gently with a nailfile.
Acrylic nailpowder is also good but more messy. It also tends to splinter under pressure.
To remove any of the above sand off back to the nail surface as removal products also dry nails.
Are you vegetarian? You may need vitamin b complex tablets especially if you get white marks on your nails.
Forgot to mention,take the shine off your nails before applying any type of falsie or wrap as this will stop them peeling off. The ridge removing part of a multi-sided nail buffer should do it.
Thanks very much for all the suggestions, but I do wonder just how much jello you would need to eat? I like Jello and an excuse might be nice!
I did try cutting a notch in one of the less damaged nails. Unfortunately when I tried cutting it kind of propogated beyond the cut. Me thinks that my nail was maybe already broken or something.
I think I will either try glue ons, or the mesh. I’ve never seen the mesh though and I am not sure I would have the skills necessary to apply that. But where does one buy these things? I looked in our local pharmacy and they had a few glue on toe nails but that was it.
Of course, I do have to put something on that means that I wont have to hide my hands when I go to see the clients I work. They are in finance, so not sure how they will react to a guy with manicured fingures on his left hand 
There are only a zillion nail salons in the world - a fella in finance ought to be able to splash out for a manicure. Do the whole ten and nobody notices anything about left vs right. I like Pennysan’s ideas about partial wraps - very clever. And regarding Jello - well, there is always room for Jello (apologies to folks who did not grow up with that ad campaign). You can eat a lot of Jello with no adverse effects other than all the sugar and artificial colors and flavors (they sell healthier versions at organic groceries).
Seriously, nails may not be a window into the soul, but they do say something about your health and diet. Check this out (not while you are eating): http://reference.medscape.com/features/slideshow/fingernail-abnormalities
Perhaps something to look into.
I just had a quick look on the internet and found a lot of links to nail repair mesh and silk wrap(same thing). They arnt freely available in chemists as salons prefere to charge a fortune for what is a very easy treatment. You literally just snip a piece,stick it on then soak it with nailglue.
You can also youtube the technique. It usually shows whole nail coverage but you can cut a smaller piece. Its a good idea anyway to let the air get to the lower half of the nail,covering completely can lead to infection.
You could try at the same time rubbing almond oil into your cuticles
Every evening to improve them over time.