Originally Posted by: brett5159When taking up the guitar approx. how long does it take to build up the calluses on your fingertips? First few days have been brutal.
In a way, it's the unanswerable question since it depends on your time practicing, how often you practice and even dependson your hands.
Not that I don't want to give you and answer. Likely within a few weeks you should notice your fingers start to toughen up a bit. It will take time though.
They key is to not over-practice your fingertips. The old story of 'playing til my fingers bled' is not really a good idea. Doing that means you don't get to practice for several days or until a blister heals. Don't believe that hype.
When your fingers start to feel tender, stop. Start again tomorrow. Even you don't completely overdo it, you might even be able to pick up for a few minutes later in the day. Pain exists for a reason, to tell us to stop doing that thing causing us pain. Listen to it.
You might want to have more progress today but you shouldn't do it at the cost of tomorrow.
It's a long haul you want to be on and your fingers will like you for it.