Callous Development

[Ink]

Hi folks.. I've been a member for about a week but was unable to post due to some problems with my login. We've gotten that corrected so here I am..

I've been working toward learning acoustic guitar for several months and I practice various things a couple hours per each night seven days a week I started off with a book (you know the single note horrors), then on to the Esteban videos (good player but that ain't my cup o tea), then by scouring the net for various learning opportunities until finding Dave on Youtube.Since I rarely do things halfway I also have live guitar instructor that I visit twice per week.Things are coming along (abeit slowly) as I'm pretty musically challenged.

To date I've never used superglue, but rather just gritted my teeth and played on through sore fingertips. This resulted in a nice thick set of callouses that completely deaden string pain. I was a bit concerned when my hard earned callouses would begin to separate at the thinnest edge then over the course of a day or so will completely slough off. The skin underneath, while not as tender as "virgin" fingers isn't nearly as tough as what just peels off. No splits, no blood, just skin underneath that's alot more tender than I"d like. So we being to rebuld again. I've lost each fingertip callous and rebuilt them twice over the course of the past three months. and I'm wondering if this is natural?

Guitar veterans.... Do you build your callouses just to lose them repeatedly then have to rebuild or is it just me? Will this cycle stabilze (hopefully soon)?

Thanks
Ink.

[Blewbyou]

This is what I do. When you see a tag of skin starting to peel use an emory board or nail file and file it smooth this way the callous doesn't peel. I used to be like you peel and build peel and build. Now I keep an emory board at the computer and file them smooth once or twice a week and haven't had any peel since give it a try. It's a good tip for everyone. We should have a tips and tricks forum for stuff like this.

[Blewbyou]

You don't want to have to keep rebuilding the callous plus the rough edges catches on the strings when moving around the fretboard Superglue is good if you get a split in your finger or callous from the cold dry winter air(depending on where you live).Another tip use hand creamto keep the skin from drying out and cracking. I use Gardeners Protective hand salve. It has olive oil beeswax carnuba waxand a few more oils in it but doesn't smell perfumy(sp)

[sheepster]

I have a different problem. How long does a callous take to form? I've had a guitar for over a year now, and have been playing nearly every day for at least 3 months. My fingertips are starting to toughen but they're still squidgy. I don't feel the strings anymore, and haven't for months. I never really felt the strings that much anyway, which was surprising at first because I have very soft hands. I'm wondering if different people get different callouses?

I suppose I shouldn't really worry, as lons as I can't feel the strings... just curious. Always have been.

[Ink]

Speaking only for myself, I can build a good set in a week or two practicing and playing around a couple hours a night. No blisters, no weeping, no blood. Problem is the suckers keep peeling off.

Ink

[Whiskey]

I really don't know. I'm in heavy construction, so my callouses never go away. I work with glass all day and never wear gloves. I do find that if I'm really shredding a lot in a day, I will rip off a lot of skin... but the callouses are so think it really doesn't impact. I just do what Blew said and file them down again.

[Ink]

You don't want to have to keep rebuilding the callous plus the rough edges catches on the strings when moving around the fretboard Superglue is good if you get a split in your finger or callous from the cold dry winter air(depending on where you live).Another tip use hand creamto keep the skin from drying out and cracking. I use Gardeners Protective hand salve. It has olive oil beeswax carnuba waxand a few more oils in it but doesn't smell perfumy(sp)

Thanks Blew... I'll try that. They're not splitting down the middle, but the thinnest edges get caught on the B and E string during chord changes. When that happens its only a matter of time before they're shaved / pulled off. I'll try your superglue /emery board tip to fill in the fissures. It's more of an annoyance at this point since even the newly exposed skin is tougher than when I first started.

[Whiskey]

Actually, the callous pad will eventually go away. Its only a stage that lasts like 6-9 months. Eventually the skin just gets tougher at the ends of your fingers and you wont have those big hunks of dried skin.

Or so I've read.

[WilliamHubbard]

I have been trying to play for a couple years, with a month or so off occasionally. The first time I started I had sore fingertips , then callouses. They would actually be reall hard and then have an edge around them . When I quit for a while I went through the same process. Now, I dont really have callouses , but my fingertips are not ever sore, and I don't feel the strings. So maybe I just have the tougher skin mentioned before.

One thing I did find painful was playing guitar right after a nice hot bath or shower. That really softens up the fingertips.

[Jstickley]

Actually, the callous pad will eventually go away. Its only a stage that lasts like 6-9 months. Eventually the skin just gets tougher at the ends of your fingers and you wont have those big hunks of dried skin.

Or so I've read.



This is very true.. Ive been playing for around 20 years, give or take a few years.. And when i started, i almost gave it up due to finger pain. I pressured through the pain, and went through the callous's peeling off, and getting caught on strings. Now, 20 years later, they are just tough fingertips with no pain and no peeling. Playing 10 hours or more a day has zero effect on me..

Jesse

[Blewbyou]

10 hours a day:eek: I try for a minimum of 1 hour a day

[Whiskey]

Thanks Jesse .. I'm glad someone verified that for me.

[Jstickley]

It does take time, and thats basically it. Eventually your fingers will just toughen up. That, I beleive, is the hardest part of learning how to play the Guitar, or any stringed instrument for that matter.

Getting over that Finger Pain!

Jesse

[disobedience]

I never had bad callouses when learning...but I used to be a small engine mechanic and always had my hands covered in old oil and such. There's something in old motor oil that seemed to toughen up my skin really fast....anyway...I feel for those who keep getting and losing calouses...but stick with it..eventually you'll just have tougher skin ;)

[swanson47]

Actually, the callous pad will eventually go away. Its only a stage that lasts like 6-9 months. Eventually the skin just gets tougher at the ends of your fingers and you wont have those big hunks of dried skin.

Or so I've read.

I can verify this, as I've been playing for 7 months and about a month or two ago I noticed that my callouses have stopped peeling for the most part. The cycle of peeling leaves behind tougher and tougher skin as you develop your finger tips.