Guitar strings and finger conditioning

by RJ Sparks
(Baltimore)

ANSWER

Hi, RJ--

You don't mention if you are playing acoustic or electric. Acoustic strings are definitely harder on the fingers at the beginning.

There are a couple of things that you can do:

1. Make sure that the action on your guitar is as low as possible. The higher the strings are from the neck, the more it will hurt your fingers.

2. Try using a lighter gauge of strings.

Other than than, I am afraid that you just have to live through it until your fingers become used to playing. Callouses will develop and then you will probably want to file them down because the strings get stuck in them.

I am sorry I can't be of more help--sore fingers just go with the territory for a while.

Lynne

I have only been playing the guitar for 10 months, but I've been playing 2 hours every single night out of pure interest and excitement. Please tell me why my fingers still hurt and cause me to quit my sessions.
I can't play certain songs all the way through. I have to cut my practice short. It makes no sense to me.

THANKS!!!

RJ Sparks
Baltimore