Should I still be forming calluses and having them basically shed all over the strings and then regrow?
I'm just over a year of playing, and I swear I've seen my fingers grow calluses and peel/flake off my fingertips at least a dozen times now.
is this normal? no pain, never bled, it doesn't bother me really. more curious is calluses should be growing and essentially being ripped off from the strings is normal or if I'm just pressing too hard still
14 replies
The outer layer of mine peel off frequently. Even afterwards, there's still a reasonably thick pad at the ends though. If you're not having pain fretting the strings, you're fine.
yeah no pain for sure, used to be sore but that's looong gone. guess I'll just change my strings more often insulted of trying to clean em lol
That shouldn't have an impact on the calluses
Totally normal, but check if you can play with less pressure
Is this normal? In my experience yes, the skin on my hands is pretty fragile and tends to flake off especially in winter and after long playing session (3+ hours).
Can something be done about it? Also yes, carry some hand cream/lotion with you to put on after you play.
Do you use lotion at all? I've heard that can be from dry skin.
I don't no, it's not really bothering me. I just assumed the callus wouldn't flake off. it's still hard skin and fretting and slides don't cause pain.
back to the endless learning and confidence playing :D
Been playing for 20+ years. It never stops for me. And if I take a break for a few weeks to a month, my fingertips will be sore the next few times I play.
I think mine stopped and healed after my first three months of playing. Honestly I can't remember it was so long ago. They don't re-peel and flake off though.
Maybe try softening your grip? Might help with speed and dexterity if you do that anyways.
Not for me, and practicing atleast that much too. My callus mostly just builds up and I have to cut them off. I do have a ton of hang nails and if I start pulling or biting them off instead of clipping I'll get a sore that will make the top layer of my callus peel. Sometimes the callus get so thick that my ring finger nail gets long and my bends with that finger start being crappy. Ill get bummed about my playing sounds like crap and I will realize eventually I just gotta trim my nail back. Sometimes I shave it off just to make my fingers sore again to help me practice a lighter freting technique.
Mine have been doing that for 20 years. But I have soft hands and play 20-30 minutes a few times a week.
One year of playing that doesn't sound normal to me. I think you use too much force. Actually you don't need that much to play. Press the strings and listen when the tone is there. Did you just started with Barré-chrods?
Might be a nickel allergy?
don't think so, no other issues. I play a LOT. like 1-4 hours almost every day and have been for over a year now.
i suspect it's just excessive playing/practice