Playing Guitar Makes my Fingers Hurt!
If you are just starting to play guitar you have probably learned something not everyone knows when they start – playing hurts your fingers. After hours of pressing the strings down your fingers will get tender. So what can you do to make it less painful? Play more guitar. I know, not the answer you were looking for, but it’s the truth. The more you play, the more your fingers will build strength. Also you will begin to form calluses on the tips of your fretting fingers which will dull the pain. After a few weeks of regular play you should be able to go for a few hours at a time without pain.
Some people suggest covering your finger tips with band-aids or the tight cotton mittens, but that really won’t help in the long run. Your fingers will heal and you will be back to square one. If you are currently in pain just know, it will get better.
One thing to just make sure of is that you are using a reasonable string gauge. People with small hands might be better off using a light string gauge when playing. If you have been playing regularly for more than a month and it still hurts consider replacing your strings with a medium or light gauge.
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Tagged with: fingers • strings
Filed under: Guitar Basics
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thanx!!
this has helpped me and my fingers dont halp as they did ages ago
i just kept on playing
thank you x
Thanks! That actually helps
My fingers still hurt! I think my strings are about 8 years old.. That probably has something to do with it huh? What kind of strings should I buy for my Martin? any particular brand?
Another site suggested to play 20-30 minutes a day, 3-4 times a day, and space out the sessions by several hours. In doing that, you give your fingers time to recover, yet still get in 90 minutes to two hours of practice a day. I found when I was learning mandolin that it took less than a week of 3 short practice sessions a day before the pain went away, and because the sessions were so short, I never actually would say my fingers ached. They just got a little tender.
The best way to ease the pain is rub your finger tips on carpet. When I first started I got this advice from my dad, pretty soon your calluses will be firm!
Great Post. I really liked the article.