"My fingers hurt! Is this normal? What do I do?", asked every beginner guitarist throughout history.
Just to give you some peace of mind, yes, it's normal. Don't worry. But that does not mean that it can't be serious.
This pain is temporary in most cases but it can have long term effects if you don't take care of it or if you practice more than you need to.
In this blog, we will discuss some of the common reasons for it and some ways we can avoid any serious injuries.
Don't Play More Than You Need To!
To be brutally honest, playing more guitar is the single greatest way to get better.
Practicing consistently will of course help your fingers build calluses and toughness. But too much of it can have negative effects.
So be sure to not push yourself too hard in your initial months of playing.
On an average, 10-15 minutes a day is a good place to start. Once you build calluses, you can increase your daily routine further.
Is The Pain Good Or Bad?
Soreness on your fingertips is something that is to be expected, but severe pain in your muscles or wrist could be related to poor technique.
If you press the frets harder than you need to, it can cause soreness, or muscle and wrist issues.
In such cases, exploring different ways to hold the guitar and keeping your wrist as flat as possible is advisable.
The Pain Is Temporary
All the soreness mentioned above is temporary and don't usually last for more than a week.
It doesn’t require any treatment, but some icing and numbing creams can help with short-term relief.
But as mentioned before, simply playing guitar until you build up some calluses, is the single greatest way. Period.
What Strings To Use?
The strings you use/play on can have a direct relation to finger pain.
Beginners often prefer nylon-string guitars, also known as classical guitars, because they’re easier on the finger tips than the usual steel-strings.
Electric guitars usually come with lighter gauge strings than acoustic guitars using steel strings. This makes fretting notes on an electric a bit easier.
Lighter strings are an option available for any type of guitar. So if the pain is really affecting your playing, you can get lighter strings from your local music store.
Are You Sure Your Guitar Is Not The Problem?
Though I believe that tone is in the hands, there's no argument to the fact that if your guitar is not setup/built well, it will come in the way of your playing.
I personally prefer very low action on my guitars.
On my electric, I use 11s with very low action and on my acoustic, 12s, again with fairly low action (but a little higher than my electric).
If the setup on your guitar is the issue, it is advisable to take the guitar to a reputed guitar tech and have them diagnose the issue and setup your guitar accordingly.
It is worth that investment. Trust me.
Conclusion
We all have been through that feeling of not accomplishing anything on the instrument.
In fact, even professionals still go through it from time to time.
So it's important to tell yourself, "NEVER GIVE UP!".
If you give up, your progress will end right there.
But if you push ahead, you will not just get better, but also have more fun doing so!
Want To Learn Music?
If you wish to learn the art of music and express yourself your way, email me: contact@subharaj.com for pricing and details!
*Open to students from all over the world and all age groups.
Here are some of the things I talk about in class:
Music fundamentals and theory
Ear-training
Composition
Improvisation
The guitar as a solo instrument
Musical, compositional, and improvisational philosophies
Artistry
Expression
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