[blackdog71]

Hi everyone, has anyone got any tips on hardening the skin on the fingertips is it just a case of them toughening up on their own, I have been practicing through the pain barrier but they really are tender today (not practised today give them a rest)

Cheers Blackdog71

[Dewy]

Do not:
Do dishes, no matter how much your wife screams.
soak in tubs, showers, on the other hand, are a must.
allow your fingernails to "hangnail" on you... keep a proper manicure.
Practice reasonable amounts... not until it hurts. If 2 hours stretches make them hurt, make a point to set it down after an hour and revisit it in a couple of hours.

[blackdog71]

Cheers Dewy just run the advice about the washing up past the wife she's not impressed Doh ! lol

[Dewy]

You may certainly compromise and offer to do laundry and dry the dishes and put them away... I'm not/wasn't above a little kissing up to keep the peace.

[Sano]

You can also offer to buy a dishwasher. And when she's not looking sneak in that other guitar you just have to have

[Dewy]

How about "While she's installing it you can sneak in that new guitar you couldn't live without."

[wcostley]

blackdog71,
I know it's impossible to stay away from your guitar at least it is for me, I was going through the same thing you are, I read a tip on another site that said soak your fingers in vinegar, I say don't waste your time with that, it sure didn't help me, what I had to do was lay off of the chords for awhile, and just do some single note finger picking until some of the soreness let off, I still have to do that quite often because I spend so much time enjoying my guitar.
Skip ...

[tina_]

I agree with the above (I've not tried vinegar though!). Practice chords, scales, bits of music/tabs and whatever you feel like - but alternate between various things. Practicing the same thing over and over again hits the same bit on your finger each time.

Rest between and your fingers will be sore but maybe not too much in one place

[Mike8307]

Sore fingers are the bane of every beginner. It just takes time for them to acquire callouses. I know that this is not what you want to hear but its the truth. I also know the beginners excitement about guitar. Practice in spurts. I've read where beginners play till the bleed. Totally unnecessary and pointless as you increase your time away from playing.

In between you could learn a little theory. Learn the notes on the fret board. Learn what makes a chord a chord, the difference between a major and a minor. What's a seventh chord? Learn the beauty of barre chords (movable chords) even if you can't yet play them.

This won't help your fingers get tougher but it will help your guitar playing in the long run.

Michael

[mickyboy100]

HI BLACKDOG micheal talks a lot of sense do what you got to do but give it a rest in between

[mike123]

Originally Posted by Dewy

Do not:
Do dishes, no matter how much your wife screams.

If I'm caught playing the guitar when the dishes aren't done, sore fingers are the least of my worries.

[Nutty]

Maybe you should get your wives guitars or somehow involved with music? I pick my guitar over dishes any day. Of course, my husband wouldn't be impressed if I was playing guitar instead of doing the dishes either. Oh well.....

Keep Playing!

Nutty

[Dewy]

We're blessed currently with a 14yr old Daughter/dishwasher. But I did take up laundry at home and Mom made my sisters do the dishes... Gawd, that seems like 200 yrs ago...

[blackdog71]

Thanks to everybody for the great advice

Cheers blackdog

[sabretalon]

I actually had an idea! I know it is a bda thing to do!

Anyway, my idea was to find an old guitar neck, then cut it right down! Leave about 6 frets and then find some way of fastening some strings to it. The idea being you can use it for strengtheing your finger tips etc... when watching the tv etc... or you can use it for practicing your chord fingerings.

No need to tune it at all, the strings are there for a more authentic feel and to help with your chord changes.