Beginners who have started playing guitar can experience sore fingers. Here are effective techniques on how to deal with it.
If you have every touched a guitar, may be your friends or one at a shop, and tried pressing the strings, you’ll realize that it is not easy as, say pressing the keys of a music keyboard.
That is why most beginner guitar players complain about their fingers hurting; and depending on the string used it could pain less or more, or may take longer time to heal.
But eventually, after hours and days of pressing the strings down, your fingers will naturally get tender and the pain will go away. But till that time you have to endure it.
So, is there any way to make this less painful?
The fact is nothing can get rid of it completely, from the beginning, but here are certain things that you could do.
Play More Guitar
What I mean is have more playing sessions. Take a break, but do play your guitar more often.
Though you may not like this, the fact is that the more and regularly you play, the faster your fingers will develop strength. And once calluses start forming on your fingertips, the pain will gradually start subsiding.
In around a month’s time, you should be able to play much longer sessions without any pain.
Have More Practice Sessions
This is an extension of the above. One approach that most guitar teachers suggest is to play for around twenty to thirty minutes a day, and preferable do it for around three to four times as a beginner.
This way you give enough time for your fingers to rest, and then you can restart. Many students have experienced no pain in less than a week. But then the number of sessions you put in are high.
Covering the Finger Tips
How about covering the fingertips? Will it help if you use things like band-aids to cover your fingers and play?
The fact is that even if it helps in the short-term, it really is of not much use in the long run. Your fingers will not get strong and the moment you remove them, the hurting will start.
So it is better to endure some pain, as it will definitely get better.
What String Gauge to Use?
Generally, lighter string gauge hurts less. There are many users who complain of pain even after a year so; they are probably not regular with their practice sessions and could be using the wrong string gauge.
So if you have been playing for a month or so, and if your fingers still hurt, replace your strings with a medium or light string gauge.
Rub Your Fingers
This is what most experienced guitar payers advise. Another way to ease the pain is to rub your finger tips on a surface such as carpet after every practice session, and pretty soon your calluses should become strong.
So if you are beginner who has started playing the guitar, these tips will help you to deal with hurting fingers.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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