13Guitars Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 I have been playing for about 15 years - and when I play for extended or intense periods of time my fingers start to hurt due to the skin underneath my nails tearing (between the "pad" and nail. Anyone else have this pain? Is there a good quick fix? It happens when I am doing a lot of bends (lots of blues, I'm a frequent bender, double bends, etc) I've tried putting neosporin under them to help the healing, but it makes little difference, and the old soak in vinegar solution doesn't work for this type of pain. Any ideas? Thanks everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShredAstaire Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 How's your technique? Is your thumb on the back of the fretboard? Are you sitting/standing straight? Is the guitar at the right level for you? Are you pressing too hard? Sounds like this can come from many angles...gotta address em all one by one and see if anything helps... I know that was all kinda vague but you see what I am getting at right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
13Guitars Posted November 4, 2010 Author Share Posted November 4, 2010 The pain doesn't come from pressing the strings down it comes from bending... When I bend a lot - it pulls the calluses (which are substantial) on my fingers toward my palm and away from my nails - therefore eventually tearing the skin away from my nail, mostly on my ring finger (where most of the strain of the bend is focused). It happens about once a month or when I am playing a whole lot. Perhaps I am just using too much force on some of my bends.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twiz Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 Ouch. That sounds painful. Maybe try lighter strings? Take vitamin E to help your skin heal. Maybe try not cutting your nails as short? I dunno. I'm just guessing here. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 The pain doesn't come from pressing the strings down it comes from bending...When I bend a lot - it pulls the calluses (which are substantial) on my fingers toward my palm and away from my nails - therefore eventually tearing the skin away from my nail, mostly on my ring finger (where most of the strain of the bend is focused). It happens about once a month or when I am playing a whole lot. Perhaps I am just using too much force on some of my bends.... I'm with Guitarest - never heard of that kind of pain. Forgive me if this is too elementary - is most of the force you're applying during a bend directed downward (perpend!cular to the fretboard) or somewhat toward a sideways angle? I'm wondering if too much downward pressure is the culprit - the downward pressure (force) creating so much fiction that as you move the string to make the bend, the increased friction is causing enough pull on the skin by your fingernails to cause some tearing under the fingernail, especially after a long session with a lot of bending. So, I'm saying you should take a look at the angle your fingertips are directing their (pressure) when you make a bend - the angle should be more oblique, not perpend!cular. Also, do you oil your fretboard from time to time? Or is it dry - more friction. http://www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm (scroll down to Fret Doctor) <no affiliation> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowdiddley Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 If I'm understanding you correctly you might try putting a Vitamin E oil where it's tearing in order to make that skin more flexible. It may be that your skin is dry and cracking with the added pull from doing the bends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
13Guitars Posted November 4, 2010 Author Share Posted November 4, 2010 Thanks for the tips everyone, I think I get carried away a little when I am really playing hard, and that's probably the problem...playing TOO hard. The angle of my hand probably gets sloppy and puts too much strain on the skin. I think cutting my nails a little too short is a culprit in this case as well. I like em short to keep em off the fretboard but too short only makes this problem easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 Could be a fungus among us. Check with your doc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmurray Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 The pain doesn't come from pressing the strings down it comes from bending... I've had the same problem. Use lower gauge strings, and/or downtune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 One aspect not mentioned so far is how many fingers are involved in each bend... I use 2 and often 3 fingers to support the bend...thereby spreading the load. Happy Bending !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidl Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 Something that occurred to me was how your action is set. I know for me, if the action is set high, the finger tip/string contact is closer to the nail and uncomfortable. I prefer a lower action for specifically that reason. I have almost no callusses real close to the nail. Just a thought. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky scott 29 Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 Guitar transmitted disease or gtd... haha... I with some of the others out here, maybe try lighter strings...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baba Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 Yeah, using more than 1 finger when possible to bend. If you bend with your first finger, then try to not abuse :) Your fingers should adjust by themselves with time, same as your fingertips, just let the time does its work. When it hurts, it's already a bit late to take a break. It's boring to take breaks every hour, lets say, but it's a good practice for many reasons. I'm surprised though to tell that to someone who plays for many years :huh: Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zigzag Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 I've had the same problem, but not from geetar playin. Came from poppin sodi pop/beer can tops or puttin similar pressure in that area from other sources. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masked Blogger Posted November 5, 2010 Share Posted November 5, 2010 Oh My Friend You have got a serious problem, because it causes the guitaring performance in problems. So what you have to do is to Cut your nails first and then try to practice it on Steel Acoustic Guitar. Once you will be perfect in pressing its frets on Steel Hard Strings, then it will be great for you in coming events. Thankyou -Shaun- http://deksamblogger.blogspot.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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