I may have conveniently forgotten than learning guitar means building calluses on my fingertips. The truth of the matter is that when you first learn to play guitar, it can hurt. It's not surprising. Pressing the strings down in the right place and with the right amount of strength is a new project for my fingertips, and it affects how I have to approach the process. I cannot expect to ignore my guitar for a few days and then come back to it for a couple hours, expecting to make progress. First of all, it hurts too much. Second of all, consistency is key. I have found that I pick up the guitar 2-3 times daily for fifteen-twenty minutes each time. I have seen some progress in the song I am currently trying to learn, as well as improved dexterity, and I already notice the calluses being formed on my fingers. I know I have a long way to go, but I am learning so much more with short, consistent practicing than back when I only picked up the guitar a couple times a week (and never actually learned anything).
While I do know from experience that the pain goes away as the calluses build, I thought I'd do some quick research on what people say about it. Two things I learned from these websites that I had not known before: (1) There is such a thing as pressing too hard on the strings. It can hurt your fingers and dampen the sound, so I am hoping to begin to pay more attention to how much pressure is needed versus how much I am giving it. (2) The pain of calluses can be eased by rubbing alcohol. Apparently it helps keep moisture from softening your fingertips. I don't know if I'm going to go run out and buy rubbing alcohol to dip my fingers in, but it's still an interesting technique that I've discovered people do.
The song I am currently working to learn is "Closer to Fine" by the Indigo Girls.
While I do know from experience that the pain goes away as the calluses build, I thought I'd do some quick research on what people say about it. Two things I learned from these websites that I had not known before: (1) There is such a thing as pressing too hard on the strings. It can hurt your fingers and dampen the sound, so I am hoping to begin to pay more attention to how much pressure is needed versus how much I am giving it. (2) The pain of calluses can be eased by rubbing alcohol. Apparently it helps keep moisture from softening your fingertips. I don't know if I'm going to go run out and buy rubbing alcohol to dip my fingers in, but it's still an interesting technique that I've discovered people do.
The song I am currently working to learn is "Closer to Fine" by the Indigo Girls.
I first heard this song at the San Diego Women's Chorus' Winter Concert last December. It was the last song they sang of the evening, and I fell in love with it. Listening to that group of women sing such a powerful song was one of the reasons that I realized I needed to join a choir again, and am now a member of the San Diego Women's Chorus.
The New York City Guitar School has their very own YouTube channel, through which I have been able to learn some of the chord progressions for the song. I have much more work to do this week, though, and next week I plan to introduce one or two more songs that I can practice, since I tend to get impatient with myself and want to be able to jump around as I progress.
My other goal is to figure out how to play an F chord. I have tried for so long--to no avail. This week I hope to do some research on technique so that I may be able to make progress on bar chords, because they are currently not my friends, but some of my absolute favorite songs require F chords. It's very sad, but only until I get it down.
At this point, all I ask of you, dear readers, is to make song requests! Next week I hope to have a poll for everyone to vote on to help me decide which songs I want to learn and focus my attention on, but for now, I would love your input! What does the class want to hear?
I look forward to your suggestions in the comments.
The New York City Guitar School has their very own YouTube channel, through which I have been able to learn some of the chord progressions for the song. I have much more work to do this week, though, and next week I plan to introduce one or two more songs that I can practice, since I tend to get impatient with myself and want to be able to jump around as I progress.
My other goal is to figure out how to play an F chord. I have tried for so long--to no avail. This week I hope to do some research on technique so that I may be able to make progress on bar chords, because they are currently not my friends, but some of my absolute favorite songs require F chords. It's very sad, but only until I get it down.
At this point, all I ask of you, dear readers, is to make song requests! Next week I hope to have a poll for everyone to vote on to help me decide which songs I want to learn and focus my attention on, but for now, I would love your input! What does the class want to hear?
I look forward to your suggestions in the comments.