[Fingertips for Musical Instruments]

For those who play the piano or guitar, keeping your nails at an appropriate length is crucial for producing a beautiful sound and maintaining the correct form. If your nails are too long, you might accidentally catch them between the keys while playing the piano, or if you play a stringed instrument, you might struggle to press the strings properly. You might also unconsciously adjust your form to protect your nails, negatively impacting your playing technique.

Generally, when playing the piano, it's recommended that your nails be short enough so they aren't visible when you look at your fingers from the palm side. Fingernails grow about 1 mm every 10 days, so trimming your nails once a week and filing them every 3 to 4 days can help maintain the ideal length. Regular filing also makes nail trimming easier and reduces the stress on your nails.

The best time to cut your nails is to avoid doing so after a bath or after doing tasks involving water, as nails tend to swell when they absorb water. Although it might seem easier to cut nails when swollen and softened by water, they will return to their original size after some time, which can lead to cutting them too short and causing discomfort. If you often end up with nails that are too short, consider adjusting the timing of your nail trimming.

For my nail care, I use a combination of a nail clipper and a nail file. I use the Kiya Nail Clipper S for quick trimming, which is great for precise nail length adjustments. For shaping and smoothing my nails after cutting, or for minor touch-ups as they grow, I use the Wataoka Nail File. This file allows me to easily create my preferred nail curve and leaves a smooth finish with no snagging.

You can place the two items in a Siwa's Coin Purse, making it easy to carry them anywhere in your bag. The coin purse has a divider, so the tools don’t rattle or bump into each other. This setup is great for preventing situations where you suddenly realize your nails are too long before a lesson or an outing and end up buying a nail clipper on the spot. By forming a habit of regular nail care, you can maintain good nail condition, which contributes to producing a beautiful sound. Why not make it a part of your routine?

Kiya's Nail Clipper S
https://www.shokunin.com/en/kiya/tsume.html
Wataoka's Nail File
https://www.shokunin.com/en/wataoka/tsume.html
Siwa's Coin Purse
https://www.shokunin.com/en/siwa/saifu.html

Reference
https://www.asahi.com/edua/article/14786619?p=2