Topic: Owie
started by: Jynx
Posted by Jynx on Jul. 05 2002,18:48
Well, it is the day after my first serious guitar lesson from my friend. We're using classical guitars with steel strings - I would prefer to start with the more difficult string first, so when I can play one, I can play both - kinda like a "learning to drive with a stick shift" thing.So, the lesson went fine, and I now have a couple of exercizes - however, all four fingers of my left hand now have that dull ache, making it difficult both to practice and to type, which happens to be my profession...i guess love really DOES hurt.
So, how long can I expect my fingers to keep hurting? Should I just keep playing until I blister? Is there anything that I can use to help speed callouses, or at least lessen the ache?
I place my fingers in your trust.
Posted by Wolfguard on Jul. 05 2002,19:53
figure on about a month.It takes time for the tissue to breakdown and reform.
Soak them in salt water. this will speed the callousing process and remove some of the pain.
Dont play till you blister and for about the first month play about 30-45 min a day till the callouses form.
I tried to play guitar a long time ago. my talents do not extend into the musical area but i do remember some of the things the teacher told me to do
Posted by veilside on Jul. 05 2002,21:16
uh.. classical guitars with steel strings? usually they're nylon. and no wonder it hurts, the necks on those things are wide and uncomfortable--they're made more for plucking than for chords.your theory makes sense at a glance, but it really doesn't matter. i started on electric, which has thinner strings and a narrower neck, and my fingers still hurt at the start. (this was four years ago) it's just a matter of getting used to. then i moved onto the steel string acoustic which numbed my fingers even more...never really touched the classical.
and uh... you shouldn't really blister...that would suck ass. i suggest you toss the classical and go for an acoustic or an electric.
Posted by Dysorderia on Jul. 06 2002,00:32
| Quote (Jynx @ 05 July 2002,13:48) |
| Well, it is the day after my first serious guitar lesson from my friend. We're using classical guitars with steel strings - I would prefer to start with the more difficult string first, so when I can play one, I can play both - kinda like a "learning to drive with a stick shift" thing. So, the lesson went fine, and I now have a couple of exercizes - however, all four fingers of my left hand now have that dull ache, making it difficult both to practice and to type, which happens to be my profession...i guess love really DOES hurt. So, how long can I expect my fingers to keep hurting? Should I just keep playing until I blister? Is there anything that I can use to help speed callouses, or at least lessen the ache? I place my fingers in your trust. |
try rubbing you fingers with isopropyl alcohol(rubbing alcohol)
Works wonders at numbing the skin somewhat.
Posted by TheTaxMan on Jul. 06 2002,03:16
If you put steel strings on a classical guitar you're going to bend the neck and damage the guitar. I'm guessing that you've got a 'standard' (yes, I am making this up) acoustic guitar but if you don't, change the strings to nylon! In order of 'playing difficulty' electrics are by far the easiest to play. Other than that it's more dependant on other things like who made the guitar, the string gauge, and if indeed you have a classical with a wide neck or an acoustic with a thinner neck.Also, playing guitar owns
Posted by veilside on Jul. 06 2002,05:17
playing guitar does own. oh, and uh... if you start with electric, maybe after a while you can play like this:
/me puts on yngwie malmsteen - far beyond the sun
i can play a few parts but uh... the rest is just impossible.
Posted by Nikita on Jul. 06 2002,18:10
I like the nylon better - easier on the fingers.I think steel sounds better (well, depends on what you're playing) - but leaves fingers feeling like shredded meat.
Definitely don't blister - once you pop it, you'll just have raw skin ... and don't try to play on that. Especially not on steel.
Cold water is your friend. Aaaaaaah
Got to tinker with a friend's 12 string once - alas, my hands and fingers are too small.
I don't know how those spanish guitar guys do it. Sounds like there's more than 1 guitar playing, but then you check and it's just one guy!
Posted by TheTaxMan on Jul. 06 2002,19:28
...small fingers are no excuse! Weak fingers on the other hand...
Posted by CNCJake on Jul. 06 2002,20:07
a product can be found on the medicine isle of the grocery store called "new skin." paint it on you finger tips and it will give you tougher fingers.