Is learning how to play the guitar supposed to hurt so damn much?

[BD2003]

Ive got little else to do, so Ive decided to take up playing the guitar. My roomate let me borrow his acoustic.

My left hand (the fretting one), feels like the fingertips are about the fall off. Ive been told that Im going to get calluses soon and that it wont hurt anymore, but right now it feels like the tips of my fingers were cut off with scissors. Maybe its time to take a break?

That being said, Ive got the time and patience required to learn this, but for the life of me I never thought it would be so damn hard to press down one string without touching the other ones. Again I'm told Ill get used to this eventually, but I cant strike a chord for sh*t.

Then again, this is my first day, so I dont expect miracles.

Any tips for uber-beginners?

 

[Heisenberg]

Your fingers will toughen up in a couple weeks.

 

[clamum]

It does hurt for a bit when you first start. I was used to playing my electric guitar and then played an acoustic for just a day and my fingers were killing me. Had to take a day break otherwise I couldn't even press down.

If your fingers are hurting I would take a break for a day or two, after that you'll have some calluses and it won't hurt to play. You'll be surprised when you play an electric and see how much easier it is to fret strings . Have fun playing!

 

[bleeb]

Just gotta deal with it... I suggest playing less continuous hours and just play like 10-20 minutes a day.

 

[MacBaine]

YOU LACK DISCIPLINE!

 

[Atomicus]

The purple fingertips will fade after a day, but if it hurts really bad, stop. The calluses should develop within a week and then it's easy sailing.

I suggest memorizing the essential (easy to interchange) chords and then just switch between them without strumming.

E - Em - Am - A
C - Am or A - D
G - G7 - D
I'd tell you to go for the Fs and Bs, but I don't want you to bleed

The joys of playing for a church worship team... *sigh

 

[Megadeth]

It really doesnt take long for you to build up your fingers

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Atomicus
The purple fingertips will fade after a day, but if it hurts really bad, stop. The calluses should develop within a week and then it's easy sailing.

I suggest memorizing the essential (easy to interchange) chords and then just switch between them without strumming.

E - Em - Am - A
C - Am or A - D
G - G7 - D
I'd tell you to go for the Fs and Bs, but I don't want you to bleed

The joys of playing for a church worship team... *sigh

I wish I had even the slightest clue what all that meant, but regardless :beer: for you.

I suppose Ill take a break for a little while.

 

[JDub02]

try an electric. the difference is night and day. I still can't play an F on an acoustic guitar. Just can't get all the strings down with 1 finger.

 

[nan0bug]

The pain subsides pretty quickly. Give it a week, you'll notice that you're able to play longer before they start to hurt. After a month pain isn't even an issue on your fingertips. The only thing preventing me from playing for long periods of time is cramping in my hand and wrist.

 

[memo]

get a chord book. they are great.

 

[TechnoKid]

are you using nylon stings? nylons on classical guitars are easier on your fingertips when you are just begining to learn.

 

[BD2003]

No idea what the strings are, looks to be some sort of metal for sure though. The guitar is a fender DG-11E.

 

[SludgeFactory]

Originally posted by: BD2003
No idea what the strings are, looks to be some sort of metal for sure though. The guitar is a fender DG-11E.

it's a steel string acoustic.

give it 7-10 days, the fingertip pain will mostly go away as your skin gets calloused. as the skin toughens, it will also become easier to push the strings down and get clean notes.

 

[BD2003]

Ill keep your guys names in mind when I become rich and famous.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: JDub02
try an electric. the difference is night and day. I still can't play an F on an acoustic guitar. Just can't get all the strings down with 1 finger.

No don't!

Most if the people I know who started with electric never developed the finger strngth to play acoustic properly.

And acoustic guitars get more chicks.

 

[BD2003]

Yeah, my roomie was adamant about starting with the acoustic even though I'm probably more interested in the electric.

 

[memo]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: JDub02
try an electric. the difference is night and day. I still can't play an F on an acoustic guitar. Just can't get all the strings down with 1 finger.

No don't!

Most if the people I know who started with electric never developed the finger strngth to play acoustic properly.

And acoustic guitars get more chicks.

so true

edit: actually i started out with electric but ive been playing acoustic for the past 2 years. so you can start out with electric but you have to kick ass.

 

[Mr N8]

You mean your fingers aren't bleeding, yet? GET TO WORK!!!!

Don't worry about the pain. It goes away, as long as you keep playing consistently.

 

[dquan97]

How about taping the tips of your fingers?

 

[Megadeth]

Originally posted by: nan0bug
The pain subsides pretty quickly. Give it a week, you'll notice that you're able to play longer before they start to hurt. After a month pain isn't even an issue on your fingertips. The only thing preventing me from playing for long periods of time is cramping in my hand and wrist.

I have the same problem.... I find that if I stretch my hands and do a nice slow warm up and gradually pick up the pace that I can really start playing hard.

 

[PanzerIV]

He. First thing that came to mind when I saw your topic was this line from the song Summer of '69: "I got my first real six string bought it at the five and dime. Played it till my fingers bled. Was the summer of '69 me and some guys from school Had a band and..."

 

[DrPizza]

<bd2003> I want to be a tough macho guitar playing guy, but it hurrrrrts</bd2003>
;P

You'll get used to it.

 

[nakedfrog]

At least he's not making you learn on a 12-string acoustic with bar chords

 

[benliong]

pain = growth.