|
|
Batty New user 83 Posts |
I've been practicing a few sleights, and with most of them, I've noticed that my long finger nails get in the way, whether they are scratching my hand, or bumping into the coin. I don't have extremely long fingernails, so I can see this happening to many people. Has anybody else thought that their finger nails would get in the way of their sleights?
|
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
I can see how this may be a problem with really long fingernails. It's not something I ever had to consider.
|
Josh the Superfluous Inner circle The man of 1881 Posts |
For a guy, my nails sometimes get kind of long. I have never had a problem. I'm sure you can practice it out. Are you a guy? Are long nails part of your look? Are you a guitarist?
What do you want in a site? "Honesty, integrity and decency." -Mike Doogan
"I hate it, I hate my ironic lovechild. I didn't even have anything to do with it" Josh #2 |
wildarr New user Isle of Palms, SC 80 Posts |
The curt, unthoughtful answer is to say "cut your nails!" Many magic texts seem to prefer short nails.
Roberto Giobbi writes (yes I know he's cards, but I'll quote him anyway): Quote:
The appropriate length of your fingernails is partly a metter of taste, but short nails facilitate the execution of most techniques and generally look better. So much for diversity in the field of magic. I think Josh makes very valid points, because magic in not solely a male field. There are many reasons other than slovenliness to have long fingernails. Some sleights may be more problematic with longer nails, but practice and creativity should certainly offer relief. |
Batty New user 83 Posts |
I'm a male, and I don't care how my nails look, so I'll just cut my nails. But at least I know I'm not the only person who has had this problem. Thanks for the help.
|
Aaron Moring Regular user Chicago 165 Posts |
I used to play classical guitar, which required a certain length of nail. I eventually worked out any kind of click or noise. On a related note, go look at a closeup of Downs' hands, especially his right pinky nail. Rediculously long. Coin Manipulations says that it is to facilitate a card trick. Does anyone have ANY CLUE what card trick would require a pinky-nail like Casanova Frankenstein?
|
Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
I too play classical guitar. It's infrequent enough that when I need to I just trim my nails for magic and then let them grow back.
I did read somewhere about a magician who would keep one nail carefully trimmed to use as a gauge for an estimation trick so he could accurately cut off a specific number of cards.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
|
Mediocre the Great Inner circle Rich Hurley 1062 Posts |
I keep my right second fingernail a longer to keep a little magician's wax for various things I do. by longer I mean just enough.
Great advice from Giobbi. I'll expand on that and say that your hands are your instrument, they should be manicured nicely.
Mediocrity is greatly under rated!
-------------------------------------------- Rich Hurley aka Mediocre The Great! www.RichHurleyMagic.com |
onebark Regular user Atlanta, GA 141 Posts |
Well, I understand it is a matter of taste and style, but are your fingernails long enough that the audience may be distracted by them? They aren't going to say anything to you, so you may never realize if that is the case. After all, most people are too polite to mention this to a stranger. I remember once meeting someone for the first time, my sister (who was with me) said "I couldn't remember what that guy was talking about because I just couldn't take my eyes off his fingernails!"
I used to play classical guitar, and on several occasions, people noticed it enough to say something, usually like "are you a guitar player?" or such. They actually noticed that my right and left nails were of different lengths. The problem I had was that at that time, my day gig was as a house painter, so I had to really work to keep them clean! Do you really NEED long fingernails? Are they a deal breaker for you? Mediocre really has a use for one of them, but I doubt its a matter of style. What would happen if you cut them back? |
Batty New user 83 Posts |
I have no need for long finger nails. So I'm cutting them, which seems like no big sacrafice to me.
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Nothing up my sleeve... » » Do nails sometimes get in the way? (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.01 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |