My fingers really hurt

cstieff · Post by **cstieff** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:54 pm

I've been playing for a few years now and my fingers have some decent callus. However, recently they have really started hurting even if I'm playing for just 5 minutes, especially my pinky finger. Would old strings possible hurt more to play than new ones? Maybe its my techinque, I'm noot placing my fingers at the right place on the fret? Or maybe there is some othe remedy? If this has happened to anyone or anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

gravesRR7 · Post by **gravesRR7** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:57 pm

now your back's gonna hurt, cuz you just pulled landscaping duty grandma

gravesRR7 · Post by **gravesRR7** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:58 pm

dont' know what to tell you, maye take a break for a few days and let em heal up

douge006 · Post by **douge006** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 11:03 pm

gravesRR7 wrote:now your back's gonna hurt, cuz you just pulled landscaping duty grandma

Awesome

sfmartins · Post by **sfmartins** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:16 am

I don't think it can be the age of the strings...

Make sure your left hand is relaxed when playing.

Practice till it hurts a lot and then stop for a bit. Then practice again... On the following day it might still hurt, but then it will be ok.
Just make sure it doesn't hurt too much!
This will build some nice "defences" on your fingertips.

Good luck!!

Yakko · Post by **Yakko** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:42 am

Just rub your fingers on pavement. That gets callusses real quick....(I think)

sfmartins · Post by **sfmartins** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:45 am

Yakko wrote:Just rub your fingers on pavement. That gets callusses real quick....(I think)

Maybe that's a better option to get real strong callusses...

DrumsFoDaSoul · Post by **DrumsFoDaSoul** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:14 am

Put some superglue on your fingertips. They act as artificial calluses.

c_tietze · Post by **c_tietze** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 10:24 am

let yourself heal and then pay attention to your form and how much pressure you're applying

that and practice should help, otherwise i'd ask a doctor, seriously

Davy28 · Post by **Davy28** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:06 pm

Just play through the pain and you'll get used to it.

RunsWithBuffalo · Post by **RunsWithBuffalo** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:00 pm

Check the action on the guitar too, if its too high that can make your fingers kill!

Grachi · Post by **Grachi** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:41 pm

sfmartins wrote:
Yakko wrote:Just rub your fingers on pavement. That gets callusses real quick....(I think)
Maybe that's a better option to get real strong callusses...

This is actually a good idea! Your fingers get real rough and you can hold down those strings until your hand cramps up.

Also the comment about the action is good too. I felt like my action was causing unneccessary stress I recently took it into the shop to get my saddle sanded down.

Grachi · Post by **Grachi** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:42 pm

sfmartins wrote:
Yakko wrote:Just rub your fingers on pavement. That gets callusses real quick....(I think)
Maybe that's a better option to get real strong callusses...

This is actually a good idea! Your fingers get real rough and you can hold down those strings until your hand cramps up.

Also the comment about the action is good too. I felt like my action was causing unneccessary stress so I recently took it into the shop to get my saddle sanded down.

sunglassesatnight · Post by **sunglassesatnight** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:06 pm

Instead of killing your fingers, play and then rub them down with rubbing alcohol. It works.