[Robin623]

I am only a beginner and I very want to learn guitar good. I practice a lot but my fingers get sore a lot. Is there something can help my fingers.

Thanks

[jedzep]

Yes there is. 10,000 more hours of playing.

[matonanjin]

jedzep's sarcasm aside, he's (she's) right. You just need to continue practicing until you build up callouses. I am also a beginner, been playing about 9 months, and went through the same thing.

Just be careful that you don't get them so sore that it is a deterrent to practice. If they get too sore take a break. Let them heal a little bit. One may not consciously realize it but if they get too sore your brain may go, "That is something that, when I do it, hurts me. I don't want to do that".

It happened to me.

BTW, I was on a trip the last week and didn't practice the entire time (10 days). Just got back to practicing and can tell it! Played a bunch yesterday and they are sore

[Blofeld]

If I've not played for a while and get sore fingers again, I find a bit of E45 cream a few times a day takes the edge off the burning. Normally within three days it's no longer a problem as the skin's hardened up enough. (I don't have tough hands to begin with!)

[jedzep]

I always recommend that beginners start playing a full step slack tuned, and build callouses without sacrificing the joy of playing. If you break the skin, it'll set you back. Having a decent electric around to switch off to is a plus.

[Scorpio]

When your fingers start to get sore put it down and come back tomorrow. A few weeks of practice time will build up the toughness and you wont have a problem. I too find that if I play my accoustic they will hurt more and I will switch to the electric for a day or so (finer strings and a lower set up ) which allows me to practice and still maintain the calluses on my fingers. Time heals all !

[MatthiasYoung]

I notice everyone is replying with comments about callouses, but what about soreness due to stretching of the fingers? This is definitely something that causes soreness with beginning students. Just with any type of exercise, there will be soreness as you develop strength and flexibility. But don't over do it at first, that can lead to injury, such as RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury). Soreness can also be caused from having too much tension in the hand. Sometimes you don't realize it's tight until your hand is sore. Just be sure to take breaks when soreness starts to creep in.

[jakeman1397]

Over the summer I played enough guitar to rip the skin of the tips of my fingers. Get to that point and carry on playing, there is a lot less pain after you get through that.

[duluthdan]

Keep playin'.

[EastEnder]

duluthdan, on 17 December 2012 - 11:12 PM, said:

Keep playin'.

And to add some further advice, practice with all four fingers.

[Cú Chulainn]

There are no shortcuts in becoming a true maestro!

[trelf]

Just keep on playing - the fingertips will soon toughen up

Just don't give up!

[M1ke]

Sometimes it seems to help to play for short intervals.....instead of constant. like if your fingers are already sore, you can play for like a min or so...and relax for a min or so...like...play for a bit and let your fingers rest, play a bit, rest, play, rest, play, rest.........etc...