there is a whole series of thing you can do to get your fingers in shape. one to to play scales constantly and another is to start on the fith fert with you 1st finger and then play the 6th fret with your 2nd finger (but keep your first finger on the fifth fret) then move up one fret at a time (keep your frist finger on the fifth fret and play the 7th fret with you second finger) keep going up till you cant reach any more, then repeat with your 3rd finger, then the fourth finger. if you combine this with alternate picking (picking up and down not just down) and moving or even skipping strings youll see a boost fairly quickly. another way is to play thrills (rapid series of hammer-on and pull-offs) with all your fingers while watch tv. remeber to use the same method i said in the second example and STOP IF IT HURTS. if you feel any pain other then muscle soreness stop playing for a day and see if it goes away. if it doesnt see a doctor. the carpal tunner (not syndrome) where the radial nerve enters the hand (or is it the ulnar nerve) is very narrow and swelling can cause perinamte damage to your fingers or hand. just a little bit of caution.