I'm taking up the classical guitar. You need to keep your right-hand fingernails in good order. Problem is I'm a manual worker. Can classical guitarists use finger and thumb picks?

I believe it is quite usual to use plain nail varnish to make your nails very tough. No one can tell!

I don't think you could use picks to play classical, you usually use plastic strings and they would break all the time with picks.

Practically all classical guitars (think along the lines of Spanish guitars - John Williams for example) use nylon strings which give the guitar a softer tone. The strings are gentle on the fingers, both the fretting hand (left-hand) and plucking/picking hand (right).

I believe that if you've been informed that good, strong fingernails are required you are going to be taught to play using what's called the PIMA method. That is, each letter relates to a particular finger (and thumb if and when required) on your right hand. Usually, each particular finger plays its own string/strings.

I'm certainly not a specialist in this style of playing but when I've tried it (albeit on a Gibson Les Paul) I've not had to have long fingernails to make it work! But your tutor will be right, in that having strong nails, you'll get more sound and a clearer one out of the strings, as opposed to just plucking with the soft tips of your finger ends.

Personally, I still reckon good technique and loads of practice - and you're going to need it - are more important than strong and healthy nails, certainly at the beginning of your learning.

I wish you well and shall book you to play Cavatina at my next wedding anniversary. And I'll offer you Get It On by T-Rex in reply.

I used to play a lot of classical guitar and found that the pads on the end of my right hand fingers hardened up quite nicely after a few months. Not the same as using long finger nails, but a lot easier to manage and less weird-looking.

I agree with the statement that it's mainly a technique thing. You can make a classical guitar sound great without long nails, but it certainly won' be as loud

It might be worth while getting an Electric acoustic.
I have a normal Acoustic, but i do struggle if a nail breaks.

I am going for an Electric guitar today (THU 26/05)
There is a music shop at Braithwell that is selling up.

Perhaps fake nails would work?

Some good points made. Thanks to you all.