Comments for Learnin' To Play Guitar

Comment on How to play guitar without getting callouses? by Guest

Guest — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:27:59 +0000

If you want to further advance on guitar, you’ll need to develop calluses so that fretting the strings becomes easier. I also play piano and I haven’t experienced any difficulties with playing with calluses on my fingers. I’m not too sure about the violin though, I’ve never picked one up and I don’t plan to either.
References :
Guitarist for about a year and I play a bit of piano.

Comment on How to play guitar without getting callouses? by Brad

Brad — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:37:59 +0000

Hi Addison. The short answer to your question is, "It’s probably impossible to play the guitar and not develop any calluses.” BUT… I do have a couple thoughts for you on this subject that you might find helpful.

THOUGHT ONE: LOOK INTO A NYLON STRUNG GUITAR.

I’m a rock player–so calluses are my best friend. However, I suspect that classical players may have a different experience. Since they use nylon strings as opposed to steel strings there is a chance that they do not develop calluses quite like we rockers do. I’m not certain of this; it’s just an educated guess. If you know any guitarists who play nylon strung guitars, ask them about this.

THOUGHT TWO: DON’T LET CALUSES SCARE YOU.

I want to encourage you regarding your concern that "getting calluses would be bad for those instruments (piano and violin), where the sensitivity in the fingertips is vital." Again, I’m not an expert–but I been a musician for a long time and I’ve seen many musicians who play both guitar and piano very well and they do not seem to be bothered at all by calluses. And sense violin is a stringed instrument–in some ways similar to guitar–I don’t believe this would be as big an issue as you fear. I have pretty substantial calluses on my fretting hand–and I still enjoy great "sensitivity" on the fret board.

To summarize, do some research and see if playing a nylon strung guitar will be less apt to produce calluses on your fretting hand. And second, don’t be overly concerned about losing your sensitivity. Thousands of musicians play multiple instruments (piano and guitar is a very common combo) and they have no problems.

Dive in and practice all three of your chosen instruments and I bet you’ll discover that time spent practicing all three instruments will easily overcome any minor issues calluses on your finger tips may present.

Hope that helps!
References :
Brad Windlan
Guitar Teacher/Musician
http://www.guitarjams.net

Comment on How to play guitar without getting callouses? by phllipe b

phllipe b — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:26:59 +0000

honestly i dont see the prob,,,,,, i do as you and callous is good, i think maybe the fretless is your challenge? it gets easy with time as it is not your hands but your ear that matters,,, the piano has its own matinence and really does not care what you do across the 88 ,,, thats what makes it fun:):) it dont care and is always in tune waiting for you to sit down,,,,,,,,, hope this made sense,,, just get on with it ,,, time will bleed and cry… but answers are yours to be found,,,,,, what do you have to lose?
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Comment on How to play guitar without getting callouses? by Joe

Joe — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:44:59 +0000

immposible if you play guitar you will get callouses
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Comment on How to play guitar without getting callouses? by Mike

Mike — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:36:59 +0000

Stop being a WIMP you will get hard skin like mine after 54+ yrs but it won’t stop you playing your piano. My finger tips are somewhat hard as compared to my other hand.
When playing the guitar you are pressing and sliding your fingers on steele so the tips will become harder (Don’t worry you can’t see the bones sticking through)
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I give up I’m laughing now

Comment on How to play guitar without getting callouses? by Pagan

Pagan — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:19:59 +0000

There is nothing you can do to avoid callouses. Callouses are good for your fingers on a guitar.

Also, do not put any type of lotion on your fingers, you are supposed to wipe all oils off your fingers so that they wont affect the strings(you dont want them rusting or getting grimey).

You can tape up your fingers though, although this is mainly for strength training(and when your fingers are too sore to play normally)
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Comment on How to play guitar without getting callouses? by Jason

Jason — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:41:59 +0000

super glue over your finger tips. Seriously works, but not practical for every day practicing
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Comment on How to play guitar without getting callouses? by belle

belle — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:32:59 +0000

lol, that seems hardly possible. you will develop callouses in any case, but if you rub your fingertips with vaseline, or sorbolene or something, they wont crack.
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guitar player

Comment on How to play guitar without getting callouses? by harlen

harlen — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:52:59 +0000

umm if you play with a slide you could get around this but you would just limit yourself and piano it does not make a difference i play bass, guitar and piano and have no problem
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Comment on How to play guitar without getting callouses? by lobo

lobo — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:46:59 +0000

i guess when you stop getting them cause they are all there already
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