Beginner with Tender/Grooved Fingers

Hey All, I'm a beginner that has just started Chapter 5 of Core Learning Level 1. My guitar is a steel string Seagull S6.

I'm have trouble consistently getting the chords to sound right. I get a lot of buzzing which appears to be caused by a lack of fretting pressure. When I first start practicing it sounds ok. After 5 minutes or so my fretting fingers develop grooves (mostly index finger). This in turn requires me to push harder in order to fret the chord without buzzing. Now I'm pushing so hard that it hurts my fingers. It's gotten to where I practice with the buzzing. My fretting position is right but I don't push hard enough to make all the strings ring consistently.

Is there anything I can do to help the situation?

I was reading that having an acoustic guitar "setup" can make it easier to play. Perhaps switching to lighter strings and lowering the action. Thoughts?

Originally Posted by: josephnovaI was reading that having an acoustic guitar "setup" can make it easier to play. Perhaps switching to lighter strings and lowering the action. Thoughts?

+1 on the lighter string gauge.

It also sounds like you haven't developed calluses yet. You also might want to look into buying a can of Finger-Eaze string lubricant. That stuff helps a lot and helps with building smooth calluses.

Are your difficulties with open chords or barre chords?

You may have seen my thread in the "ask a guitar tech" section where I ask about adjusting the action. The problem I'm having (and I've been playing for ~30 years) is barre chords. As I go up the neck, the action is very high and seems higher than it needs to be . This makes it difficult to play.

If you have having issues with open chords, I would go with cudgeler's suggestion of lighter strings. It is stock with 12's, so you could try 11's or even 10's.

In my googling, I have found that this guitar is known for having a higher action. Unfotunately adjusting the action on an acoustic isn't as straight forward as on an electric - you have to sand away material off the saddle.

The calluses will come. Until then, wow, did it hurt. but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Only took a few weeks for me.

To me, do not invest the time to build them until you can work on them daily for at least 10 days in a row. The body is great at healing itself. If you work for 3 days, taking the pain or what ever, then take two days off because you deserve it.

You just lost your 3 days of pain, your body used that time to heal itself. It is something you have to stay at. Not till you have an open wound of course.

After 10 days the pain will lesson, as long as you stay at it. Young calluses will still go soft again with just a couple days off. Most people need at least 60 to 90 days with the calluses on the finger tips before they can take a few days off.

Good calluses and well trimmed fingernails will help a lot.

My recollection with calluses was in the beginning I developed small blisters on my finger tips. I laid off guitar for a few days an they eventually turned to calluses. Those calluses eventually peeled off but the skin underneath wasn't anywhere near as tender as starting out. When the blisters formed, it was AGONY to play.

Something else that may be going on is that you are overcompensating slightly improper finger positioning with extra pressure of your fingers. This will work itself out over time. Try taking a real hard look at your finger positioning and see if you can determine a way to fret the problematic notes with slightly different finger positioning. We are talking about micro-adjustments.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to see about having my guitar setup with lighter strings and lower action. I will continue to practice off and on everyday. Usually 10-15 minutes at a time 4-6 six times a day. I'm being patient and not rushing thru the lessons. In time I'm sure I will get it.

Sounds like a good plan! Something to keep in mind is that as you develop your skills, you can always modify the setup again to better suit the style you are developing.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes for you.

Not rushing is huge, the lesions are not like video games and once completed you are done with them. There more like guides to refer back to.

Surgical spirit/rubbing alcohol was a benefit to me in the early days.

It's really just a case of building strength and tougher skin. It's just going to take time.