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fingertip toughness

PostPosted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 7:03 pm
by rhirvine
I should probably know this by now, but are there any shortcuts to fretting hand fingertip toughness or advice? As i've aged it seems harder and harder to get my fingertips to toughen up. I use nylon strings these days to help with the problem. I'm trying to practice daily again but don't always get to it. I can't even imagine being able to make notes or chords on a 12 string guitar. Fortunately I don't own one anymore.

Re: fingertip toughness

PostPosted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 3:49 pm
by rhirvine
I think the message here is "there are no shortcuts" to playing guitar better or getting my fingertips tough enough so they don't hurt. :D

Re: fingertip toughness

PostPosted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 8:52 pm
by LMark
Upon reading your first post it did occur to me that the "padding" decreases with age, at the fingertips. I suppose. Not old enough to have to deal with that issue, yet. I suppose the rate of decay varies from person to person, too. But Palmer is REALLY old. Maybe he knows the secret. LMark

Re: fingertip toughness

PostPosted: Sun Jun 04, 2017 6:40 pm
by rhirvine
I've had some success using 90% rubbing alcohol on my fingertips after washing my hands if I'm going to practice or go back to practice because alcohol dries up water. Other than that my fingers never get very tough even though I now practice most every day.

Re: fingertip toughness

PostPosted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 8:28 am
by Pickin Palmer
You are putting the alcohol on/in the wrong part of the body, Rich - try the stomach. It won't fix your "aging" finger pads - but, you won't care near as much. :D Of course, I'm referring to a "nip" of sacrament, Pastor Mark!

Seriously, though - a couple of months ago I cut myself rather deep into the side of my left first finger tip opening a package with a very sharp knife whilst I was cooking. As a result I had to stop playing for a "few days" - probably more like a month before I could even come close to using that "side" of my fanger. Like the opening "stretch" in Sandman. That time off pretty much rendered my pads to putty.

They hurt like the devil when I tried to step back into practicing/playing a few hours a day. But, fortunately for me I had this little art exhibit opening coming up that I had promised to play music for, so I couldn't worry about being 75 - I had to "man up" and just practice through the pain. Yep, the pads came back. My playing still sucked - but, I've got great pads. (Which reminds me - I better go change one right now.(lol)

Re: fingertip toughness

PostPosted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 12:17 pm
by rhirvine
Thanks Palmer. That gave me a laugh about the alcohol. I'll keep practicing even through the pain and maybe the pads on my left fingers will toughen up. Who knows if I keep trying to do choke chords my left thumb will come around (but it hurts). BTW, I will be 69 in september not that all of us age at the same rate. I think I went too long being almost inactive on guitar.

best regards,
Rich Irvine