New to guitar, and I have a question about strings.?

Question

I have an acoustic, and it's got steel strings... they hurt my fingers, and I keep getting this odd buzzing noise. I know it's from not pressing hard enough, but I can't press hard and play fast at the same time. Pathetic, I know. I was wondering if Nylon or some other type of strings would be better. The kind I have now are really thick and hard to use...

Answer 1

nylon are the best i think.

Answer 2

Hi Em.four

Change the strings and put on .009 extra light gauge string and don't let anybody tell you that is is no good.

The guitar can handle this change and the big difference will be in th efingering. It will be so much easier, and you won't have to press so hard to get a good sound and finally, your fingers won't hurt anymore.

It isn't normal to have sore fingers after playing even 3 months. Obviously, you are playing on medium gauge string and for a lady, this is not good. A woman does not have the strength of a man and that is why you should change string immediately.

Trust me, it will make more thab a difference. Let me know.

Answer 3

What the other person said:

Start with an electric if you have both guitars.

Nylons are softer, but have a different sound and feel.

If you're fingers still hurt, just press down as hard as you can and get playing.  You're fingers need this pain, sort of like working out.  You'll build up extra skin on your fingers to the point where you won't feel it anymore.

Answer 4

If you're thinking of putting nylon strings on your acoustic guitar, that might not be such a good idea. Usually acoustic guitars only accomodate steel strings. Try an electric or classical. On the electric, the strings are closer together and the fingerboard is thinner than an acoustic and it's hard to hit only one string at a time when you're doing chords. On the classical, the strings are farther apart than an acoustic but it's harder to stretch your hands to get the right notes down. You have to decide what is best for your hands.

Answer 5

After six months, your fingers shouldn't hurt while playing.  I'm guessing you practice on and off, or at least to the point where you don't get calices on your fingers.  Just keep practicing, it's totally normal for it to hurt at first.  Nylon string would definetly hurt less, but they sound like c**p and I can't stand them.  Good luck!

Answer 6

you'll get used to it in no time, just keep practicing! your fingers could be really sensitive to it, but if you change the strings, you'll still have a problem with it. you just need to get your fingers down and dirty working em until they're comfortable with it.

don't worry about playing fast right now, just make sure you're getting all the chords right. once you've got all that jazz down, you can worry about tempo.

Acoustic is also pretty hard to start on, if you get to play on an electric guitar you'll notice the strings are much easier to play.

Hope I helped:)

Answer 7

The buzzing sound may be because you're not chording right. And that is all part of practicing.

Your fingers will hurt, and sometimes get so tender that they may blister. You will soon develope calous and it will toughen up your fingers and you'll be able to play without hurting so bad. And that will come in time too. The more you practice, the better your chording will be, and the tougher your fingers get.  Do not replace steel strings with nylon. It may not work well.  I had a acoustic classic guitar that had the nylon strings, and I've also played a 12 string (steel string), and now I have an Ibanez acoustic electric guitar with steel strings. I do prefer the steel strings as the sound is more bold and projected better. My opinion on that one. :-)

Keep up the practicing. I don't play often, and I play piano too, and my arms and fingers get real tired and sore. But it sure is fun learning new songs!

Answer 8

You need to buy a pic and if you get a new pack of strings id suggest you buying Ernie Ball string acoustic kind and your fingers won't hurt or just keep practicing till you get use to it.