I know i have a long way to go, but how long does it take to develop calluses on the tips of the fingers. mine feel a little funny , kinda numbish but when i try to make a chord the tip of my finger flattens and mutes the string above and below the intended string.
i've never played any instrument before and trying hard with the same results, i'm only beginning my 2nd week and for now i am only trying to fret chords and make them sound right. i feel that until i can do this there is no sense in trying anything else, i guess i want to get moving on to learning how to play instead of learning to learn how to play... thanks, Al
13 Comments |
 | Larry121047 says:
2/2/2012 11:26:41 AM
Al:
I have played my banjo for one month and my fingers are just about ready to play. The calluses are getting to the point that my fingers do not hurt, at least not like they have been. I play at least 1 hour a day. Hopefully this helps answer your question.
Larry
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 | al-f says:
2/2/2012 1:39:19 PM
ty Larry, i work on chords 12 to 15 hours a week, well try to 3 hours on my off days, thats 3 or 4 days a week and an hour on the days i work which is 3 or 4 days a week, i know the chords open G is the easiest lol then D7 not bad C and E minor being the worst.
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 | cherbr says:
2/2/2012 3:54:30 PM
Sounds like your callouses are developing. I have the same probelm with chords but it's slowly getting better/ The funny thing is that the C is getting better but the darned D7 is really hard for me.
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| al-f says:
2/2/2012 5:02:19 PM
cher, from what i have heard you may have to bring your thumb up to where your fingers are for leverage,that is if you are reaching for it and leaving your thumb in place. my prob is flexibility and finger size, i can barely get the tip of my finger in a drink bottle.
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 | AlpacaLips says:
2/2/2012 8:58:23 PM
If you have big fingertips, this may be something that you need continue to work on. Having said that, it should get better as your callouses improve because you'll be able to fret the string with less pressure, and thus less flattening of your finger tip.
Also, make sure you're actually using your finger TIPs, and not the pads of your fingers.
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 | banjogal12 says:
2/2/2012 10:06:15 PM
Hang in there...those callouses will be there before you know it. My first problem was using the pad of my fingers rather than the tips. It just takes time but it sure is fun getting there. Every now and then it actually sounds like I hit all the chords. LOL Like Cherbr...D7 is a bugger for me too.!
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| cherbr says:
2/3/2012 9:33:08 AM
Made me smile Banjogal12. :O)
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| Larry121047 says:
2/3/2012 11:13:53 AM
One of the fastest ways to build up a callous is to do the slides. Do not use a ton of pressure when you are doing it. The tendency when first starting to play a string instrument is to put more pressure on the strings than is needed. Work on keeping the tip of your finger next to the fret and apply just a tiny bit of pressure. If it sounds muted then add just a touch more pressure. You will find in time that you are not giving the neck of the banjo a choke hold but rather a love tap on the strings. When practicing slides just move from one fret to the next and repeat that over and over it will help build a good callous.
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| cherbr says:
2/3/2012 11:32:21 AM
Great tip. Thanks!
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| al-f says:
2/3/2012 5:52:22 PM
no i cant even think of using the pad of my finger it will cover 3 of the 5 strings.
cher i have seen the D7 using 2nd string first fret first finger with the middle finger on 2nd fret 3rd string then another one same as first but also using the ring or little finger a few frets down on the first string, i looked at several charts and only one i seen use a 3rd finger.
thank you all for the hints and tips, gonna try that with the slides.
i find that even being just behind the fret i'm still pushing over 1/2 of the string down
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 | StanleyK says:
2/14/2012 12:22:28 PM
The thing I'm trying to work on is properly arching my wrist while doing the chords. I have problems touching other strings with my fat fingers too, but when I arch my wrist behind the neck, the tips of my fingers seem to hit the strings a lot better and I'm less prone to mute other strings.
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| al-f says:
2/14/2012 2:59:46 PM
dont know how deeply most of you can bend your wrists but in playing position mine will only bend a little less than 90 degrees and that is really pushing it, gotta work on hand wrist and finger flexibility i guess, ty stanley
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 | chrisrose says:
2/19/2012 8:16:12 PM
I use the 2 string D7, it is way easier than the 3 string fretted D7
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