Would you like to be able to play the violin better even if you have ugly little fingernails? It may sound ridiculous but some violinists actually have nails that are too long. What usually happens is that they get fingernail fungus which is very uncomfortable and it hurts to play the violin.
If you have long nails and you want to be able to play the violin well, there is a solution for you. A new product from a well known manufacturer is now available and it is called “nail polish for violin” and it will help you keep your fingers healthy while you play the violin.
The manufacturer of this new product came up with a plan to help violinists who have problems playing the violin. They made a small product for violinists who play the instrument and need nails that are not so long so their fingers can move easily.
You will no longer have to be concerned about whether you will be able to put on those long nails or not because they can now be shortened. Can violinist wear nail polish and still play the violin well?
Is Wearing Nail Polish Unprofessional For a Violinist?
In this article I am going to talk about whether or not wearing nail polish on the finger of a violinist is unprofessional. For many violinists it is necessary to have a full fingernail and so wearing nail polish the whole finger is considered not only unprofessional but downright rude.
However, for a violinist who really does not need all the attention but has worn nail polish for performance reasons, it is perfectly acceptable to wear a little bit on the end of each finger, where it will not be seen when pulled up into a gesture, such as a bow.
This little bit of extra nail will be seen when pulling your bow down, thus helping the violin player keep his or her signature style, which violin players have come to know and love over the years.
For these musicians, the little bit of extra polish on the end of each finger may actually help them play better.
The question as to whether or not wearing nail polish is unprofessional for a violinist has also been addressed by fashion experts and stylists.
To them, the answer would simply be no. There are some performers, such as musicians with very short fingernails, who might benefit from using nail polish. But for most violinists, the answer is no.
Do Violinists Need Short Nails?
When it comes to nails, do violinists really need short nails? If you’re a violinist who is planning on attending any of the violin competitions this year then you need to make sure that your nails are in tip top shape.
A lot of violinists choose not to get their nails painted because they believe that it would take them much too long to do it wouldn’t look right. It has been suggested by some violinists that the only way to have good long nails is to wear false nails.
It is true that if you choose to use nail polish you may not be able to see what’s going on underneath but when done correctly, it is the perfect solution for the violin player.
There are many types of nail polish on the market today. The most popular brand would be Revlon and they produce some fantastic polish products that are great for violin players. When choosing your polish remember to get the ones that are specifically designed for musicians and not for everyday women.
You can buy false nails with a cuticle or natural nail head which is perfect for the violin player as this allows them to get close up to the strings without having to worry about damaging the nail bed, which would be extremely difficult.
If you do decide to paint your nails and want them to be in a contrasting color, then you should always use a white base coat and then apply the white polish. Some professional nail painters are even able to do fake nails that look like they have been painted by a professional painter.
Does Nail Polish Prevent the Violinist From Playing the Violin?
In case you didn’t know, fingernail polish is good for your fingernails, but it can also have a negative effect on the way you play the violin. Nail polish does prevent the violinist from playing the violin perfectly since it affects the thickness and movement of the strings.
A thinning instrument, even a violin, needs more feeling on the strings to be able to produce the exact notes or octaves. A violinist that doesn’t feel his or her fingernails as well as those of other players will definitely notice a difference when playing the violin.
This doesn’t mean that fingernail polish is bad or unimportant. It just means that the fingernails should be properly maintained in order to ensure proper instrument feel and performance.
Fingernail polish is very easy to apply, takes just a short time, and is safe for all fingernails regardless of their length and color.
If fingernail polish is applied incorrectly, it can cause the fingers to look longer or shorter than they really are. It’s especially important to apply fingernail polish correctly if the violin is not being painted with acrylic paint.
Many violin players find that using acrylic paints over natural fingernails keeps their fingernails feeling very similar to their own. Acrylic paints are very smooth, making it easy to blend the fingernail polish with the violinist’s own natural nails.
Does Professional Violin Players Wearing Nail Polish?
Many violinists believe that they don’t need to worry about their fingernails and this is because they play an instrument that doesn’t need to be maintained. But if you are a violinist, then you know just how much time, money and effort it takes to keep your instrument in top condition.
Polishing and cleaning your instrument on a regular basis is necessary to avoid damage and allow it to perform at its best.
Most violinists believe that they don’t need to worry about the type of polish they use because it is not important; what’s important is that their fingernails are clean and that they don’t paint them white.
Some would argue against polishing your fingernails; they say that it is not healthy and might even lead to infections or other health problems. If you are serious about your career as a violinist, then it is highly recommended that you remove your fingernails.
If you don’t, then you expose yourself to a lot of risk especially because fingernails contain a lot of bacteria. It can get transferred to the music sheets and you may even damage your piano playing career.
In fact, fingernail polish can be detrimental to the fingernails if it is applied in the wrong way. Applying too much can damage the nail and you can even have uneven fingernail strokes. When you are a beginner, it is highly recommended that you keep your fingernails short, neat, and clean.
Can Violinists Wear Nail Polish?
If you are a violinist, or any violinist for that matter, one of the questions you may have is “Can violinists wear nail polish?”
This is an excellent question and you’re not alone. Many violin players wonder about this because some feel like their fingernails are too much work to maintain and keep in good shape.
This concern is nothing new for me as I have long nails and I’ve always felt that I should probably just let them grow and not put any kind of nail polish on them.
The answer to the question Can violinists wear nail polish? is a resounding yes! Not only can violinists wear nail polish but other string musicians including violins, cellists and double violins can as well.
What’s interesting about this is you see it as an extension of your hand instead of something that you are trying to hide. You can play a beautiful violin with a lovely hand and a nice nail polish if you want too.
Conclusion
Another question often asked about my work as a violinist is “Do I really need short nails?” The answer to this question is no, violin nails don’t have to be long. I use acrylic nails as they are very durable and will last the lifetime of a violinist.
I also get them colored so my fingertips appear to be the same length as my violin bow. The other thing I do is get a couple of “fake nails” professionally done to look like my real nails. I think they give me more confidence because they do actually look natural.
