JDutch - Posted - 05/25/2007:  11:12:02

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I am new to playing although am starting to build up some cal. on my left hand--any helpful hints on keeping those finger tips strong--stopped playing for two weeks and they peeled--painful starting up again--loss a lot of practice time (or am I just whinning?)

Gibson Gangsta - Posted - 05/25/2007:  11:54:08

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get a gripmaster with callus builder caps on it......you can use that to build up some callus'......(you can get one from most music stores...elderly, FQMS, Janet Davis, etc.)



pickin' aint easy.......

GerhardP - Posted - 05/25/2007:  14:15:17

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> ny helpful hints on keeping those finger tips strong

Don't stop playing !

1four5 - Posted - 05/25/2007:  14:25:49

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quote:

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Don't stop playing !

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Yep...I don't think I've missed a day in several years, and play several hours a day and more on weekends. I can't even remember calluses (well i can but it was a long time ago)...my fingertips are just sort of leathery, not really that bad, but playing all day doesn't phase them at all.

Dean

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Edited by - 1four5 on 05/25/2007 16:31:04

pweller - Posted - 05/26/2007:  16:10:34

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Trust me, it gets better. I used to play a lot of electric guitar, and that really made my fingers bleed. Banjo is a little easier on the fingers, and it gets less painful over time.

diarmaid - Posted - 05/27/2007:  00:42:52

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theres a guy here who dips his fingertips in surgical spirits (like some hikers and runners do to toughen their feet) every few days.

sailaway - Posted - 05/28/2007:  07:19:23

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chet atkins the guitar great had these tips : don't EVER put your fretting hand in water, it wrecks the calluses. that means no dishwashing, carwashing etc. (haha) a rule i use with great frequency. chet used to wear a rubber glove lined with cotton into the shower every day to keep his calluses from getting wet. and never shower before a gig, only afterwards. another rule is don't try to play if your calluses have gotten wet, wait til the hand is thoroughly dry. those waterless alcohol based gel hand cleaners are great to carry around to keep the calluses dry.

Jon Eric - Posted - 05/29/2007:  13:37:49

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Practice your keister off.. this will build calluses to be able to jam as often as you wish.
If you are desparate to keep playing and your fingers are worn thin there are 2 products out there that SAVE your tips...
One is superglue...though I do not like to use this as it it a chemical that will eventually eat away at your finger and IS toxic but good in a pinch....
2nd would be my favorite which is a product called NuSkin... it is a liquid bandage (though smelly when 1st applied)
IT WILL SAVE YOUR FINGERTIPS like NO other product out there.... it will last for up to 4 hours before having to be reapplied.

There's my 2 cents and try it if you wish... I imagine there are more products out there that other BHO members know about too...

Good Thread!!! Good luck and keep on pickin'!


Jon Eric

http://www.myspace.com/gr8vox

daniel0 - Posted - 05/29/2007:  16:58:38

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you bunch of whoofters! Get a proper mans job digging the fields or something. you lot sound like a load of women, ooh my fingers.. do you think the old time banjo players worried about that? no, they were too busy trying to come up with the second verse of " I woke up this morning" . You tarts!!!

Jon Eric - Posted - 05/31/2007:  10:50:17

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I would much rather be a banjo picker for a living than "dig ditches"
or what I used to do in my former life..as a painting contractor.
With NEVER enough time in my day to play at all....

Refreshing response... and best of luck to you Daniel!

Jon Eric

http://www.myspace.com/gr8vox

daniel0 - Posted - 05/31/2007:  15:48:59

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Good luck to you Jon Eric too, funny that, I"m a painter as you were yourself. My fingers are split in the corners due to the work. Its painful but what can you do? Anyway the banjos appreciate being in the hands of labourers. They dont like sharing laps with computers..What do you say Jon?