Oh, To Have My Callouses Back!

Hi,

I'm picking up the guitar again after many years. I went out and saw the most beautiful Breedlove C25, and it was used, and now I'm back and being pulled into all kinds of projects. The problem is that I was never a great guitar player. I just knew how to play it, that's all. So now, I'm learning anew, and my practice piece is McCartney's "Blackbird" (His fingering). It helps to get my hands back in shape, but the callouses aren't coming fast enough.

Now I'm at the point where I can play 1 1/2 songs all the way through before the strings get lost in the grooves in my fingers, leading to no sound, or a sound that's dull.

Any suggestions on how to toughen up the fingers faster? Any products I can use to make running up and down the frets less noisy until I get my confidence back?


Faith

As far as getting them back, just play more? Callouses form after your skin breaks down and has time to heal again. Just be patient.

As far as the noise, wouldn't it just get noisier the more you build up callouses since the surface is harder? If there is friction there will be noise. Don't think any product can help that, but just lift your fingers off the strings more.

I cut my left nails shorter, and briefly filed them smooth. If it hurts to cut them that short, cut them as short as you can reasonably tolerate first. Wait a few days and cut them again. You can tell when you can cut agian by pushing on the nail. If it hurts, wait longer. Your fingers will adjust so the short nails are not painful. If your nails are short enough the grooves in your fingers don't matter.

Consistant practicing will help build up the hard skin. You can also use legato exercises to develop strength in the fretting hand. Best to exercise all 4 fingers.

I recommend not leaving out the pinky. I know it's a pain to use it sometimes but it's important. hammers and pulloffs between 3rd and 4th fingers are harsh! :)

Just regularly practice. Make sure you dont overdo it because your hands need time to heal and toughen up. Barre chords will probably tire you out the most. I would try to get into the habit of pressing on to the strings as little as possible while making the notes ring clear.

As far as any products to try to help toughen up your fingers, I've only heard of one - Preparation H - seriously. I've never tried it myself, but a friend of mine who's been playing for decades says it works.

I have a fuzzy memory of Keith Richards mentioning vinegar...