Guitar

[Reverandfunk]

I have just taken up the guitar and it's killing the tips of my fingers. Is there anything that will toughen them up or shall I just practice more??

[Scarlett]

It's an occupational hazzard!! They will toughen up over time and soon you will be able to push a pin through the top if your finger and you won't be able to feel it!

[j2buttonsw]

As said just keep picking. Sometimes learners use nylon string guitars which are easier on the fingers. Whatever you do, don't give up!

[BobbyLove01]

When we was young a friend used super glue on his finger tips.................. you know the rest.
Good luck
Bobby

[snapdarlich]

Surgical spirit is a quick help to toughen up the skin. Many string players including myself (double Bass) use it to speed up the hardening process after a holiday or so. Dab some on your fingetips once a day, but only while the skin is soft. If you continue to use it, your skin will will begin to crack...but only after a few weeks of constant application. Other than that as said above, practice, more and more. It'll pass quicker than you can imagine.

Or you could get a lighter gauge of string - it wouldn't get rid of the problem and the sound won't be as good, but it could ease it a bit. Oh and one final thought as this often is something people don't think of. Only press as hard as you need to get the sound out. Some pupils of mine were gripping really tightly and overworking their fingers and hands.

Good luck and enjoy it!

[gleno lloyd]

change your strings to ,,,,ernie ball super slinkies ,,,they are much softer on your finger tips it worked for me

[Chirchiro]

Previous post was right surgical spirit...
I'm a semipro player amd use this when the tips get sore.. harden them up a treat

[Crackerman32]

Sometimes you just have to face it head on and play through the pain. I've been playing over 25 years, but I remember vividly building calouses. To get them toughend up quick do some chromatic excercises or run through scales. It's rough, but the sooner you get you calouses built the better. Then you can realy get serious about it.