Most people who are new to the instrument are prone to using a death grip on the stings. This is probably a reaction to forcing your fingers to do something difficult. However death grips are a waste of energy and you really need all that energy if you are goning to soar on the guitar. Sooner or later, most people learn to develop a much lighter touch.

Jeff, here on GT, has a good trick for learning to use a light touch. Pick a string an start picking the string and let it ring. Then you try placing your finger on the string above a fret and muting the sting. Keep picking a stead serise of muted notes. Slowly increase the pressure on the string until it sounds a clear note. As soon as that clear note occurs, you are at the ideal pressure on the string. If your guitar is properly set up, this should be a very gentle grip.