What is the fastest way to get calluses for my guitar playing?

Question

help!

Answer 1

Keep the tips of your left hand as dry as possible. Talcum powder helps, but if you've just washed dishes the tips will be tender once more. Use medical gloves when washing anything--including your body. Dry fingertips is the secret.

The moment they are dry begin a practice session. Often, just pressing down and off repeatively the chord of F in the first fret is an excellent method in developing the needed calluses.

Answer 2

Practice a lot!

Callouses develop on areas of skin subjected to constant friction, so the only way you can develop good musician's callouses is to play constantly! Your fingers might be tender or blister a little at first, but they will callous as they heal. The skin might peel a little bit, that is normal.

Do keep your fingertips dry--avoid swimming, washing dishes, and long baths for a little while.

If it is painful when you practice, you can use "NuSkin" or some other type of liquid bandage (available over the counter at the drugstore for around $5) until your callouses build.

Answer 3

a good way i built mine up was to start on the first fret, first string (because its the hardest to push down with the lowest surface area) with your point. then put your middle finger on the 2nd fret, 1st string, 3rd finger, 3rd fret first string, and pinky on the 4th fret, first thing.

i hope you get what i mean, becuase it was really helpful for me!

Answer 4

There is not a fast way.  A callus is formed after an injury.  By holding down the guitar strings, you are causing a minor injury, and the callus is being created to protect the injury.  Attempting to create a callus quicker will result in a blister (burn) created by too much friction.  If a blister is formed, you may have to wait a month for the finger to heal before the tenderness goes away.  Then you'll have to start from the beginning.  Forming a callus is a slow process.  Do not apply anything to your fingers.  The only thing that will do is get your strings, and fretboard dirty.  One exercise that will work is to play 12 frets (acoustic), 16 frets (electric), on each string, with each finger.  You only have to strike each fret a few times.  This will build the callus slowly, and strengthen the fingers.  Most people would have trouble doing this with the little finger.  Wait at least an hour after your hands have been in water.  The skin will be too soft, and you'll rub the callus off.  Do the exercise once a day for about a week, then increase after that.  Keep in mind, PAIN is the body's way of telling you to stop.

Been playing since the 60s.

Answer 5

Gripmasters help.