Guitar newbie *Ouch, my fingers HURT*?

Question

Hi guys,

Any advice on how to build calluses? I've been teaching myself how to play the acoustic guitar and my fingers are killing me! Especially my second finger. I want to practice today but the thought of pressing the strings send shivers down my spine. Any advice on how to reduce the pain?

Answer 1

That's good you're starting on acoustic.  The strings are thicker, and you're probably in more pain than you would be with an electric. I learned acoustic when I was 7 years old and I made it through the pain and eventually my fingers were hardened within a couple months.  I do remember crying at my very first lesson though.  Haha, oh well, I was seven.  Maybe soak your hand in warm water for 5 minutes.  The calluses will come. If you're in severe pain you should stop, at least for the day.  You don't want to associate your new hobby with pain, otherwise you'll never practice.  If you're in total pain, you've earned a day off, but only a day, don't stop and practice at least 20 minutes a day until your fingers harden when you can practice more.

Answer 2

what i did was take a day off and use thinner strings at first. for the pain you could put your fingers in some ice water that helped me

Answer 3

The "no pain, no gain" phrase is true, however I found that a little Ambesol for mouth/tooth pain works if you just can't stand a day without practice.  Keep on practicing..

Answer 4

how many times have so many of us asked this question hahahahaha?

no way to cure the pain sweetie except to work through it. have you ever heard the phrase no pain no gain? i'm sure you have and no truer example has ever been given than the pain of learning the guitar.

you have to suck it up, want it bad enough and deal with it. the good news is if you get through the initial pain, it subsides within a couple of weeks or less if you play every day.

some of us have played until our fingers have literally bled from the repeated stress of string on fingertips.....but that's what makes it such and expressive and intimate relationship with the instrument...as one of the lines in one of my songs about touring and playing on the road goes...."steel and wood, flesh and bone, a total emotion i can't control" (copyrighted 2001 btw).....it's all about that physical connection with your instrument.

"paying your dues" isn't limited to playing the dirt floor bars and juke joints....it also means the time and pain and soreness in the fingers learning to play this wonderful instrument.

there is no cure except to get back on that horse and ride it some more or you just don't have what it takes to be a guitarist.

and, later, if you stick with it, and move up to a larger gauge string, then you will hurt all over again getting used to the thicker strings....but, not as bad or for as long.

if it is unbearable but you still have the burning desire to play, then i would suggest putting a set of .010 electric guitar strings on your acoustic until your fingers get used to them and them move back up to the .010 acoustic strings. one of those tricks they don't teach you in school....lol....the electric strings, while the same gauge size are a little easier to manipulate and easier on the fingers. but, the larger string gauges give noticable better tone and sound quality so do it as an aide to get your callouses built up, not as a standard practice to follow.

just stick with it and work through the pain....your can reduce your practice time each day, use the electric strings....but stay at it....it truly is NOT like riding a bike....if you don't stay in practice you will lose it and have to start all over again.

best of luck to you and if you have other questions please feel free to email me and ask....

and as for nicnac there below me.....we each have our own styles and there are many of us who have played through the pain because we wanted it that bad.....i didn't tell her to....only that some of us had....she has to find her own way and what works for her based on the advice those of us who have been there and done that offer her....and my success as an artist, both in CD sales, shows booked and students taught speaks for itself....who are you to tell her i'm wrong?

Answer 5

just take a day off... beleive me all guitar players go threw this... i learned to play bass nd when i started my fingers killed.. if u still want to practse do it only with ur right hand ( struming hand) and practise strummig paterns, u after this time ur fingers shouldnt hurt nemore... ( for me they didnt ) good luck ad have fun playin because guitar is a fun intrument to play

Answer 6

i wish i could tell you some magic cure   but there is none .  take a few days off  but dont quit . the only way to build calluses is pra ctice, practice , practice  after a few months it'll get easier good luck. in time you'll enjoy it

Answer 7

Whatever you do, DO NOT listen to answerer #2 who seems to suggest you should practice until your fingers bleed. That being said, you do need to take a break and come back to it in a few days. Play on more days than you take off, but don't play if in severe pain. A little pinching is expected even with expert players.

BTW moisturize your hands well after playing.

Good luck!