Fingertip Callus Builder?

auburnboy · Newbie Alert Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 1

New to the guitar, new to the forum, and full of ignorant questions. Please forgive me.

I realize the best way to build calluses on your fingertips is with regular practice. However, due to my work schedule and 2 kids, I don't always get that opportunity. The problem I'm having is keeping the calluses that build on my fingertips.

A more experienced guitarist/friend of mine said he'd once seen some sort of device that could help. From what he described, it sounds like it was nothing more than a palm-sized thing with steel string(s), which would allow you to apply a similar kind of pressure at work/in the car that you'd get when actually playing. I've searched all over the web for something like this, but can't find it. Does anyone out there know anything about it?

Thanks,
Auburnboy[img][/img]

weelie · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 3:30 am Post subject:

Howabout a Twanger, though it's really meant for right hand parctice? You could as well get a travel guitar? Howabout a Montana MTG1 ?

Some links here:
http://www.twanger.com/level.itml/icOid/28
http://www.guitarnotes.com/links/guitars/travel_guitars1.shtml
http://www.tranjo.com/travelinstruments2.shtml

And then there's this:
http://www.fretocizer.com/

Hoser Rob · Sea Monkey Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 11

One of the best guitarists I've ever met (and also the best guitar teacher in these parts), Daniel Heikalo, does'nt believe in calluses. He claims, along with other excellent players I know of, that if you warm up properly your left hand will relax and you won't get them. Daniel has been playing professionally for decades and has no calluses. Since I've gotten into the habit of always warming up before I play mine have gone away and I'm playing way better.

Corey776 · Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 4:45 pm Post subject:

Can you explain these warm ups

Hoser Rob · Sea Monkey Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 11

Always washing your hands before you play is good. It makes your strings last a lot longer too. My favorite is 1st position, one finger per fret, start on the 1st finger, 6th string. Play slowly and hop your finger over one string at a time, all the way to the 1st string and back up again. Repeat for the 2nd - 4th string. Keep your thumb on the back of the neck behind your 2nd finger.

A good teacher should be able to show you lots more. I think a really good book would be Pumping Nylon by Scott Tennant. It's pretty popular. It's for classical guitar, which I don't play, but the left hand technique is transferable to other styles.

Billstrum · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 8:20 am Post subject:

I hear that rubbing alcohol on fingertips 3 times a week helps, and there is something that rockclimbers use to keep calluses up-available in their specialty shops Smile

Dog5h1_T · Little Guppy Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 33

Billstrum is right. Rubbing alchohol helps with the calluses. If you apply it to your fingertips three times a day, you'll have skin as tough as rhino skin of your finger tips! #alien

catalanalin · Newbie Alert Joined: 25 Sep 2004 Posts: 1

Hey weelie. Those links are great. What an eye-opener for me.
Even an inflatable guitar!!!!!

chadburn · Newbie Alert Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

Yeah, ive been playing for about 7 years now, and i find that little fretty blow up guitar exhibits fantastic tone. Another plus, is that you never have to change strings. I can really rip on this baby, and it doubles as a squeaky toy to throw for the dog. LOL