[Reaper04]

Hey everybody!
I just started playing the acoustic guitar two days ago. My name's Jason. I'm a 15 year old Texan and have never played an instrument before(Actually i have play an acoustic guitar before, but it was one of those $40 ones that don't sound very good). Last week, after school, my friend was playing his guitar and i asked him to teach me some things. I don't know what it was but i fell in love with the guitar. At my church i am very involved in music. Every weekend i setup bands and run their show from our sound board. I've spent a lot of time around guitars but have never really had the motivation to learn, until now. Eventually i want to be able to play guitar at church. Just like everyone else, i am having a few beginner problems. When i get home from school, i practice until the tips of my fingers hurt, but i want to keep playing(It gets hard to play the Am chord because my 1st finger really starts to hurt). Is there anyway that i could prolong my practice time without enduring such pain? I am also having trouble knowing how much pressure to apply to the strings. If anyone has any suggestions please don't be shy.

[PickNGrin]

Ahhh...looks like a really fresh one here..Welcome! Everybody's fingertips sting until you build up your callouses. Any type of short cut to protect those fingers might prevent the callous development, so its best to let nature take its course.
push down just hard enough to get the strings of the chord to ring -no more pressure is needed.
It's easier, and less painful, to play a guitar with light gauge strings and lower action. I dont know what you have, but you can keep this in mind.

[nagukush]

Hi Jason

Its wonderful to have you here. Dont worry pal, its gonna be over, its like the "Nature's Rule" for every guitarist to face this pain. You'll be proud that you faced it. Just take it lightly and let the fingers develope calluses. Then you'll be free to go !!!

the below article will help you to take precautionary measures, the site is good actually, just search in it :
http://www.musicianshealth.com/askthedr.htm

a few tips on getting relief:
http://www.guitartips.addr.com/tip120.html

Hope this helped!!!

[allthumbs]

Hi Reaper04. Welcome. PicknGrin nailed it for you. Time will make it start to come together for you.

[sctoddc]

Welcome Jason, lots of great lessons here, and very nice people to help with questions.

Todd

[Jean]

Welcome Jason!
Have you checked out these?- Brand new to playing the guitar?...read this first.

And Kirks Beginner Lessons- http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/fo...splay.php?f=34

And Neilsonites lessons- http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/fo...splay.php?f=28

And Don't worry about your fingers...all of us go through that.
And your lucky to have a guitarist friend to help too.

Cheers,
Jean

[Reaper04]

Thanks guys. It's nice to find a place where there are so many helpful and friendly people. I really appreciate it.