![]() ![]() In addition to causing excessive finger pain, pressing too hard on the strings can result in a tense guitar playing style, which doesn’t allow you to play quickly or efficiently. If it still sounds fine, you’re pressing down too hard. To evaluate whether or not you’re pressing too hard, fret a chord or string as you normally would and release the pressure a little bit. When playing, relax your fingers and press down just until your finger comes in contact with the fret. Many guitar players, especially beginners, have a tendency to press their guitar strings down too hard. If you apply lotion after each shower or keep a bottle in your purse or on your desk, reconsider- lotions soften the skin, which is exactly what you don’t want when you’re struggling to toughen it up. Water, in addition to soap and shampoo, has a temporary softening effect on skin. If you spend a lot of time doing dishes, washing hair, or spend a lot of time with your hands submerged in water, wear latex or rubber gloves while performing these tasks. Many soap and shampoo products contain skin softeners and conditioners which can be counterproductive to forming finger calluses. When washing up, try using waterless sanitizers instead of repeatedly washing your hands with soap and water. Before purchasing a product, read the reviews- some creams and ointments can stain or discolor fretboards with frequent use. If you’d prefer to use “professional” creams or ointments, a search will turn up plenty of numbing agents manufactured with guitarists in mind. ![]() Topical anesthetic products, including toothache creams, can also be applied before and after play- just make sure the product contains benzocaine. Other guitarists press an ice cube against their fingers before and after play, which temporarily alleviates soreness. Simply soak your fingertips in the vinegar for a minute or so, both before and after practicing the guitar. One of the most popular is apple cider vinegar, which can also be used to remedy sunburns and sore throats. Many guitarists rely on certain products to help dull the pain while they form calluses. Plus, covering your fingers in superglue can cause damage. It may help temporarily reduce the pain, but it definitely won’t help you in the long run. Another myth is covering your fingertips with superglue before practicing. Some claim that filing down the skin on your fingers with sandpaper after each practice session will speed up the formation of calluses, but this is false- all it does is destroy any progress you’ve made and obliterate the pressure required to form long-lasting calluses. Eventually the pain will lessen, your fingers will form calluses, and you’ll be able to play your guitar with ease. Calluses don’t form overnight and are the body’s natural reaction to repeated exposure to friction. No matter how much your fingers may hurt in the process, it’s important to stick with it. ![]() From Eric Clapton’s Secret Elixir to tips for numbing the pain, here are some ways you can toughen up your fingers while breaking in your strings. In fact, new guitar players sometimes give up on playing the instrument completely because they simply can’t handle the pain. Whether you’ve switched to a different brand or are sticking with the tried and true, breaking in a new set of guitar strings can be a painful process. Opening a fresh pack of guitar strings is always exciting, but breaking them in is a whole other story. ![]()
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