Burke, re: fingernails, try Sally Hansen Hard as Nails or a similar paint-on fingernail toughener (you'll find it at the pharmacy with the nail polishes). You'll need to reapply the stuff after each playing session because the playing wears it off. Ken Perlman used to put a small piece of scotch tape across the top of his playing nail. Had to replenish that pretty often, too. I tried it a couple of times but never got used to it. Gelatin, as a dietary supplement, is supposed to toughen nails and make them less brittle. I've never tried it, though.