Question about learning how to play the guitar?

Question:I am in the process of learning how to play the guitar(acoustic). I am also trying to build up callouses on my fingers so that it won't hurt when i play. What is a good way to build callouses? If i use lotion on my hands does that make the callouses go away?(it's cold where i live and my hands get really dry)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I am in the process of learning how to play the guitar(acoustic). I am also trying to build up callouses on my fingers so that it won't hurt when i play. What is a good way to build callouses? If i use lotion on my hands does that make the callouses go away?(it's cold where i live and my hands get really dry)

yeah it will actually get rid of your callouses. this i actually didnt even know until i asked my mom just now. haha. but because callouses are oh so very important, what you can do is, after putting on the lotion, keep a towel next to you soaked in hot water. after putting on the lotion, whipe your fingertips on the towel.

what i did to build my callouses is practiced for hours a day. then once i was done i would sit and watch television and at the same time hold my guitar and press all four fingers down on the high E string. it sounds kinda wierd but if you like watching tv and you catch a show you like you kind of forget about the pain. mind over matter sort of deal. ya no.

working with your hands a lot helps to build calluses. Like using shovels, rakes (yard work type stuff). constantly working with the stings will build them up too.

The more hand on stuff you do will roughen up you hands, if you always keep your hand lotioned up and soft then it will take longer for thenm to develop callouses

I found a awesome websit to help play the guitar if your interested
http://www.lickbyneck.com/

taint no short cuts to being a picker....forget about callouses..just..play and get into the tune..the rest will just fall into place

Just keep playing

Sorry pardner, but this is the price you play to enjoy this wonderful instrument. The more often you play, the faster calluses will develop. Extra Light gages strings will also help, but they have less volume than medium. Not a problem if you always play with amplification. Some say soaking your fingertips in vinegar for 5 minutes will help speed the process.

The best way to toughen the fingertips is to keep practising, There are no shortcuts in playing the guitar.....or any other musical instrument.

Putting lotion on your hands won't affect the development of the calluses.