my fingers already hurt

constantlycroonin · #1 September 6th, 2006

Hey everyone...I just picked up my first guitar yesterday...I've been wanting to learn how to play for awhile and finally just decided now was the time to start....so told my husband that I wanted a guitar for my birthday and thats what I got (a week early!)
I don't even know where to begin, I can read sheet music (previous piano experience) but the guitar is so much different. I'm gonna go take some lessons but between my kids and my job trying to find the time is difficult. Any suggestions on at home learning or is that an all around waste of time?

6string · #2 September 6th, 2006

Welcome aboard constantlycrooin

allthumbs · #3 September 6th, 2006

Welcome. Hang in there. The finger pain will pass.

WernHalen · #4 September 6th, 2006

WElcome constantlycrooin...

The finger pains pass in a couple of days... or is that weeks...

I think getting a teacher at your level is a good thing, but I dont think it is the only way tolearn. we have plenty of members that have learnt guitar form the forums and from books. It all depends on how hard you work at it...

Start at the beginners forum and work your way through till you know a song... If you have questions ask... Im sure someone will help you out.

coldethyl · #5 September 6th, 2006

G'day and welcome!

Misty2u · #6 September 6th, 2006

Hi there constantlycroonin

Welcome to the forum

. As AT and Wern have said, the finger pain will pass soon enough and you'll build up calluses on your finger tips. I'm in the same situation as yourself and my hubby recently bought me a guitar for my birthday in June (although I'd had an old one that I was using from around April). I have been learning solely by myself.......using the internet and lessons etc on the forum here and feel that I've definitely progressed

There's a lot of beginners info here Brand new to playing the guitar?...read this first. so have a look around. Good luck

si16 · #7 September 6th, 2006

Welcome to the forum CC.

Teddy Madison · #8 September 6th, 2006

Cool! We come from the same background. I have piano and keyboard under my belt and switched to guitar and I can say, I much prefer the guitar when it comes to expression. your fingers will get to the point where you can only play for 5 minutes and the pain is to much but it will pass, it's like a badge once you get past that point.

Your in the right place for a beginner, I just tend to grab tabs online but the moral support here is unmatched. Sometimes it helps to know your not the only one learning.

Wayne

krissovo · #9 September 6th, 2006

Hey Hi and wlecome, dont worry about the finger pain...... no pain no gain as they say! Incidently I dont know if the pain goes away or you just get used to it but I still get tender from time to time but the rewards far outway any pain.

I am mostly self tought from a combination of Jamorama but mostly here by posting silly questions that always get answered by the ever so patient members. I am defo at the beguiners stage but every week I do improve and the confidence is the best thing you can learn in my opinion and I get that in leaps and bound here!

Good luck in your new journey, I feel so sorry for your hubby but I am sure you can handle him

Hilch · #10 September 7th, 2006

welcome

yeah fingers hurt ... I have been learning therory and my head hurts ( lol )

737blues · #11 September 7th, 2006

Hi constantlycrooning, stick with it and welcome.

PhilUSAFRet · #12 September 7th, 2006

Greetings! I started about 5 weeks ago, took about 4 weeks before I could play longer than 30 minutes a day. I have Emedia guitar Method 1, very interactive, I checked out Guitar for Dummies from my Library and liked it. I am also taking lessons once a week. Lots of free lesson sites and uitilities. good luck

queenmel831 · #13 September 7th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by constantlycroonin

Hey everyone...I just picked up my first guitar yesterday...I've been wanting to learn how to play for awhile and finally just decided now was the time to start....so told my husband that I wanted a guitar for my birthday and thats what I got (a week early!)
I don't even know where to begin, I can read sheet music (previous piano experience) but the guitar is so much different. I'm gonna go take some lessons but between my kids and my job trying to find the time is difficult. Any suggestions on at home learning or is that an all around waste of time?

Hello Contantlycroonin:

I recently just bought a guitar as well. I sent it back though (Esteban) not of good quality and I am in the process of going to buy a new one this weekend. My fingers hurt soo bad also. Felt like daggers being pushed into them. I did develop callous, although just the start of ones. I also have been playing keyboards/organ since 14yrs old. Definitely different with the guitar. If you want to learn in your own house, I must say that Esteban's instructional DVD's are fabulous! He goes very slow and teaches you the right techniques step by step. Too bad the quality of the guitars he sells are as fabulous as the DVD's. But you can go to his website and just purchase the DVD's. Good Luck

QueenMel

dougp23 · #14 September 7th, 2006

Welcome! I've only bet at it a week or so! Just had my first lesson tonight.

I agree, check out Kirk's forum where he does Knockin' on Heaven's Door (although I find chords tricky, because my fingers still aren't 'stretchy' enough to be where they need to be!)

Welcome!

Matty22 · #15 September 7th, 2006

G'day CC, welcome to the forum