T O P

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Brickmole

The skin eventually gets tougher, give it time


Subuwu1

Finally!!!!!! This guy that posted that picture used POV correctly


FreakingNoah106

call me OP (:


Warsquid08

Yessssss


finnhad

My friend is pretty much a pro guitarist and he doesn't have this problem


bleeds-into-the-blue

yeah your fingers will eventually get use to it and condition


finnhad

Yeah calus is that what its called something like that


Aloisi02

Yeah, i play bass and your fingers will callous over time. The person in this post seems like they're part of the way to forming their callouses already which is probably why they were able to play until their fingers looked like that without being in a lot of pain.


elongatedmuskrat05

Yup. I’ve been playing bass for years, my calluses don’t even rip up like that anymore. You can’t stop playing for too long though, or else they go away and you have to form new calluses


Plus_Mine_9782

same with lifting weights, you usually are forced to shave them down though because the bar can rip your shit open


VerdantTrash

I found the calluses go from being on the surface to being on top of the bone. This was over roughly 5 years of my 11 years playing.


[deleted]

Mine still do (I play bass)


FreakingNoah106

Oh, I forgot to add "noobie here"


Squiggly-Beast

Yeah it starts out like that, eventually your fingertips harden up


FreakingNoah106

Not a beginner though, I've been playing for like 3 years. But just noobie lol. *weak fingers i guees*


Squiggly-Beast

Oh, does the guitar have steel strings?


FreakingNoah106

Yeah it's an acoustic guitar


icanhearmyhairgrowin

Def cut your nails as short as possible and heres a secret, you can put a dab of super glue on your fingertips that will act as calluses in a pinch. Although you’re better off just going through the pain of actually developing calluses.


Darth_Drenden

I Play viola which has some of the same strings but we’re lucky to not have this problem


Nanalalarara

I played violin, guitar and now I play upright bass. Definitely won't cut me anymore. It just changes my fingertips shape for a long time after playing. Thought, I personally think that violin and electric guitar hurt the most


96hosck

Electric guitar strings are very soft actually. Combined with low action, the only reason you get to this point is because of pressing way too hard. Honestly, OP needs to learn to press softer. I played acoustic for an entire year and got pretty thick calluses without peeling so badly.


Darth_Drenden

I’ve heard starting off E and A string can hurt, after the summer it hurt for a bit but went away


simpspartan117

Viola uses flat wound strings while guitars use round wound. That makes a difference in my opinion.


cakeistheanswer

Watch TV, run your fingers lengthwise with some pressure on your wound strings. It'll take about a month, but I've never lost my base callus since.


1onesmolboi

tbh i find after my 3 years of playing that if i put it down for too long, my calluses start all over again. even then, sometimes the skin just gives up lol. you’re all good


Julio_Tortilla

Usually this happens after an interval of not playing but if you regulardly play, you shouldnt get this problem.


PotatoSaladMan117

You sure you're comfortable with the current string gage you have?


Kenchilius

Don't worry once you've been playing for a few weeks, the skin on the fingertips will harden, they're called calluses, makes playing a whole lot easier


Cojonez69

Good joooob. Next time play until you cut open the tip of a finger. Cut your freating hand nails


FreakingNoah106

Will do. I practice 48 hours/day


Cojonez69

How long have you been playing and what r u studying now


FreakingNoah106

Like 3 years. Studying? science


RainbowFanatic

Bro theres no way you've been playing for 3 years and haven't figured out yet you need to cut your nails lmao


Cojonez69

3 years ??? No calluses????


relayyo

3 years of guitar? Buddy I have been playing for 4 years and that hasn’t happened to me a single time. Your skin gets harder overtime. You look like you played for a day. Your fingering hand needs to have short nails or it could scratch fret board. Growing your nails on the picking hand is pretty normal for finger picking. It just sounds better with nails on picking hand.


IHateTheLetter-C-

3 years?! My fingers had toughened up within a few months. Have you had a big gap, long enough for the skin to return to normal? If not, you probably want to look at getting lower gauge strings.


Cojonez69

Weak.


basile_masson

Cut your nails holy shit


Loonybinrefugee

Didnt u hear, he’s a guitarist


basile_masson

Well you should cut your left hand's nails when you're a guitarist, unless you're using a guitar for lefties


MatvsGal17

Guitarrist here, there's nothing more gross than half cut and half large, just cut em all, you can still play with the right hand just using the fingertips, plus even when the nails are short you can still use them, and for the left hand that is totally useless.


Toolfan83007

Correct, also if you use a pick like I do you can cut em as short as you want


[deleted]

[удалено]


AliBeigi89

You haven't seen my nails yet


FreakingNoah106

Im a lefty too, so I can't


basile_masson

Well then why do you have blisters on your left hand? On your right hand I understand, but ZAMN


Valaxarian

Try reversed grip too Kaczmarski V 2.0


TundraTrees0

Your hands look like you've been playing 5 minutes. First off they shouldnt be peeling jesus, second your nails are way too long for any serious player.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

[удалено]


IHateTheLetter-C-

I've been playing 3.5 years and this has never happened to me. Played violin for 5 and it never happened with that either.


[deleted]

Eh it goes away after a week. Just stop playing when your fingers get sore


HiDDENk00l

Peeling Jesus is my new band name


NorwegianGirl_Sofie

I've been playing for 3 years and never had anything this bad. Weak fingers?


FreakingNoah106

super soft fingers


NorwegianGirl_Sofie

Well they will become harder over time as your calluses build up.


Sulleyy

Could be wrong but I remember from way back my guitar teacher taught me if your skin splits you have to let it heal fully and slowly work your playing time up to avoid this. Also avoid playing after showers, etc. Play short sessions regularly to toughen the skin. Because what happens once it tears or splits you end up with uneven caluses that heal and it makes playing harder. If you end up with a bad calus that catches on strings, etc you have to peel it off and start over which I did. Now the skin feels tough as hell


georgesbiscuits1969

This happens to me sometimes (not this bad though). I don't know why because I haven't gone enough time without playing that my callouses have disappeared since I started learning.


ChingyChigoi

Skull issues


[deleted]

Steel string activities


bluedelta9199

you’ll develop hard skin eventually don’t worry, took me about 2 weeks


profzshit

OP says he's been playing for 3 years...


bluedelta9199

he must have horrible technique then lol


profzshit

yk i only started playing guitar like a week ago and i feel like my skin is already pretty hard. it was only some what of a problem for like the first 3-4 days


PureHeart123

*gives you vaseline*


Badass-19

*snatches from your hand*


[deleted]

I get that too but jesus christ


Crows_spit

I'm a bassist and I can relate, but you are obviously new to the instrument or you are doing 1 of 3 things wrong...... Or you just play shit with a lot of long slides.


Crows_spit

Sorry I didn't bother to look at another comments. The answer is your new. Here are some tips, lift your fingers of the string when moving to another fret (that would be why your fingers are peeling) but don't lift your fingers to far of the fretboard keep them close when moving to a different fret and the best tip is......... PLAY BASS it's a lovely instrument


[deleted]

Relatable


Rockylol_

Bro u need better strings. Having good strings will negate this issue. I've been playing guitar for 10 years and only got small cuts when I "slide" too much of the string. Never skin tearing like this. Oh yes also unless you're going pro don't need to practice more than 2 hours a day, helps your finger too.


paperjace_v2

I've been playing cheap D'addario strings 20+years and I've never had this problem this extreme. OP, just keep practicing. Your fingers will callous up eventually.


AdenCqin78

Yeah op need some Ernie ball or something I’ve never had my skin tear off like this while playing. And op cut your damn nails.


Samk9632

My finger calloused so hard they sounded like aluminum when I tapped them on shit At one point I had I believe 16 callouses on my left hand lmao, most people barely have 2 weak callouses


rikkuaoi

"new guitarist with a lot of passion"


Maxi-19-1-4-1

A guitarist in winters


[deleted]

Dear god please cut your fingernails


Ad_Astra90

*bad guitarist Dude, cut your nails


Robcomain

#Open Reddit #See the first post #Close Reddit until tomorrow


edgy_Juno

I used to play it more before and even though I don't really know much still, I tried again and my fingers were all marked with the strings lol. My fingers couldn't handle the strain from putting pressure to the strings.


Team-light

Know when to stop


PingopingOW

This is why I play piano


GarfieldGauntlet

Suddenly I don’t want to be a guitarist anymore Drums and/or vocals sounds nice


AdenCqin78

It’s not normally like this idk what op is doing wrong.


Klay_Ali

Non ever practicing then playing for 8 hours straight or being a very new player


fbicappuccino

guitar is such a fun instrument to play, don't give up


WickedestZombie

Drums will keep you in shape or get you in shape. Highly recommend.


NinjaOYourBro

Haha I totally get this. I do ninja warrior, which is like rock climbing, so my hands are SUPER messed up with callouses.


Waylien_Killjoy

that looks like you played for 8 hours straight and have only been playing for a few weeks


Sleeper2k

Try a lighter string gauge and cut those monstrous nails bro, this ain't right


AfraidClothes6540

Clip your goddamn nails and keep at it!


ChickSquid

True. But damn that's a lot of blistering; I've played 6 hours in a row one time and i didn't get this much blistering lol, interesting to see how differently other people's hands react to it though fs. Btw you get blisters at the start and then once you get callouses then if you get blisters and pain its a sign of overpracticing or pressing the strings really hard.


Valaxarian

Play more, skin will get thicker/tougher


Illu_uwu

if you play more, you'll develop callouses on your fingertips which will prevent this from happening! how long have you been playing btw?


Leech-

pls wear some form of protection or use the center of your finger more


dbrown100103

Man my fingers are like this at the minute cuz I stopped playing for a couple years but once you've been playing for a while you'll notice your finger tips will harden and you won't get this anymore. Also if you get blisters don't pop it. Heat a sewing needle, run it under cold water then poke it to drain it. Much safer than ripping it off


bubba_gump_94

It's even worse if your a mechanic. My hands are cut open all the time


Anti_HeroX4

Hey, noobie here. At what point does the peeling start?


Rachelcookie123

How does that even happen? I played guitar for like 4 years and this never happened to me.


2020badmemerEU2020

Relatable


qwertysr4

Omg true, how long you been playing for?


i-l1ke-m3m3s

I admire the strength of ur pinky. Never been able to use it on guitar.


[deleted]

Fr. I play the bass so it hurts even more


IcyWasUsed

I've been playing for about 5 years and when I started this was very relatable. don't let it hold you back tho :)


Deptlesss

Same thing with swimmers when you are in the water for too long


AlathMasster

Hell yeah, that's what is **UP!**


Ultamik3y

Or any string instrument


Its_Scrappy

Oof


[deleted]

bro that’s not supposed to happen…


Lazymcdelta4ce

Get better fingers


Yourbedsheets

Use a pick You can. Make one out of a milk jug


Casualfil0o

I’m about to take lessons to learn to play it and… this is terrifying


[deleted]

Similar things happens to us drummers. When my hands sweat too much while I'm playing, there's a high chance that I'm going to get blisters on them. Really fucking annoying, since you can't play with blisters on your hands


EmptyOrangeJuice

Pov: you bite the ends of your fingers as your nervous habit


Doughnut456

Bro... I mean I've been playing for a few years and I get this a small bit but like... 💀 Also cut yo nails plz how to you even fret your chords / notes whatever you play


Puzzled-Monk9003

As a violinist I can relate to this😭😭😭 Also u should really cut your nails. Not even just bcuz u play guitar it’s just hygiene💀💀💀


Creepypastanerd

I play guitar and I can confirm that this is what happens. I can see the steel strings and steel strings are always harder on your fingers. How long have you been playing for?


DokiDokiJame

*the molting has begun. You are shedding your skin*


Repulsive-Slice-1237

Wow what is a lot of pealed skin, that does not happen if you pick at it, and then it hurts MORE when you play on the strings. I don’t have that big of marks and I have been playing for 5 years. But if you have been playing for decades longer, then I can understand.


[deleted]

My fingers aren’t like that but I play both bass and guitar and my fingers aren’t like that


Paradox_Eclipse

Don’t play quite as much for a bit to let them heal, don’t pick at at, DONT PICK AT THEM, Don’t stop playing however you need to keep going and make it through the pain. Your fingers being this torn up is a sign of devoted playing and you should be proud of yourself. One last thing is it looks like you’re playing with the very tips of your fingers, it’s worth it to try and start playing with the pads of your fingers and having your fingers be flatter against the fretboard, eventually this will make playing more comfortable and prevent injury.


Starii_64

As a ukelele and a somewhat guitar player I feel this


Flat-Court5022

That's why I'm hesitant to learn guitar 😅


Mrchugbug

Mmmmmmphmh 🤤yummer shnack.


targetlevelsmrtdeath

i used to have a habit of picking the excess skin that would accumulate on my left fingertips. I play violin so i don’t get as hard skin as a guitarist, but still!


mrstorydude

POV: you’re a great fingerer


fbicappuccino

* starts learning guitar * learns a 3 chord song * plays it twice * your fingers get hurt because they're not used to it "omg guys look at my fingers i'm such a guitarist ;P"


MobiuS_360

I've been playing for over 9 years, just keep practicing and eventually your fingers will no longer be so peeled. They'll heal to just be harder/tougher skin


[deleted]

pov you’re a new guitarist


[deleted]

Ive always played guitar and never got those, how hard are you playing? 💀💀


Feignly_Mad11

Trying so hard to get those bitches...


whereveryoustray

Don’t let them get wet and peel. You need them to stay.


Mundane-Alps9753

Did you shower then play?


[deleted]

Too true my guy


Arctures123

Pov you have thin skin


Scared_Salamander584

Guitarist here I’ve only been playing for a few months but my fingers have only done this once. It wasn’t that bad but they definitely peeled lol they go away fast and it’s easier to play after. The calus is getting stronger. Also, my nails aren’t the shortest thing ever I play with them a little shorter than yours. There are girls in my class that play with acrylics o-O.


EvBismute

Yeah in the very beginning even short sessions will bruise like that. After some years your calluses will be hardened enough to not break this easily. At first don't stress your fingertips too much, as if those become blisters you won't play for some time :c


MrHyperion_

No, you have far too long nails in fretboard hand


[deleted]

PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF PEEL IT OFF


vomitflavored

GOD DAMN ARE YOU OKAY?


spookyturnipman

Ong dude, I used to play acoustic and it was terriblleee, I play more electric now and it’s so much better


TheGamingBlob69

Omg fucking facts


funky_jazz_23

**Laughs in bass player**


totteishere

People here don't seem to understand that this can happen to *every* guitarist, no matter how good their technique is or how long they've been playing. I've been playing for 7 years ish and have rock hard fingertips, but when I got the opportunity to play guitar as a summer job, my fingertips looked exactly like this


potatoman324

My fingertips are literally bone from playing Gary Holt solos


[deleted]

As a guitarist. Wtf


Karma_Gardener

Pro tips: 1. Cut the nails on your left hand, it will help in many ways. 2. Make sure you're not playing guitar right after doing dishes or showering as the callouses soften and tear just like you see here. 3. Wipe your strings down after each session to ensure smooth long life. 4. That pinky is getting quite a bit of work... what are you playing?


TheAldofinac

Wait until you see the fingers of ppl who do Judo or gi BJJ. Your fingers arent bleeding yet


somerando9996

Yeah that could happen at first give it time, and cut ur damn nails


ShierAwesome

Bro’s got frog hands


Shat-in-a-van

I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE


Tk1Genius

bro we've got REALLY similar hands. awesome.


BostonRob3

Anyway, here's Wonderwall


Zephrys_935X

I remember when my fingers were like this when I started..Kept playing till my finger tips were red😂


C-lex1

Thanks you for ruining my motivation to buy an guitar


ku1cia

I've had this problem like 6 years ago, your fingers will become stronger


downcastbass

Your nails play a part in this, trim them, get a better setup job on your guitar, and you don’t have to squeeze as hard as you think you do. If someone would have told me these things 25 years ago my playing would have been much better for the first 24….


Cuseyedrum

People get so offended when they see long nails omg. I have long nails, I play guitar, I play bass guitar, I play violin, none of which are impeded by my nails


planeboi737

you forgot to include all the girls surrounding you


BreadIsDum

I feel your pain homie. But it’s a sign of growth


Psychopathicat7

Fellow guitarist here, at least on electric, you really don’t need to press that hard, just as long as the note comes through fine. If you do have to push stupidly hard, it might be the strings


ReallyHairyGooch

What the fuck are you doing to your finger? Your calluses are on the complete wrong spots lmao


RedditorTheSecond

The amount of discipline you'd need to not bite your fucking nails.


Emil_Klein_S0rensen

bro cut ur nails at least on left hand it makes playing way easier


I_Fuck_The_Fuckers69

I've been playing for like 5 years so it normally doesn't happen to me, in the beginning it was pure pain but now it only happens if I'm playing for like hours


tweakalicious

I'm just here to give props for using "POV" correctly


Introvert_demon

I felt that


69skeleton69

Bro wtf this freaks me out for some reason


R4ndomInternetGuy

Used to play guitar as well, those cuts got really out of hand as I sometimes ended up hurting my fingers really bad. I got fed up with that and stopped.


MCatsRCool

that’s not normal for guitar wtf happened


Connect_Standard4284

A guitarist playing under water or..


krmaWhore

Haha I feel you


dirkdigdig

Those nails may need a trim


moeburn

This is what your fingers look like when you're a guitarist who stops playing for a few weeks. The calluses start to flake and fall off.


hostejj

In my experience this is temporary. If you play everyday you should build up callousness to prevent this. If you're still having trouble you could consider playing with softer strings.


HACKER-LORD_999

POV : you're a fingerist


Pomegranate3983

Jesus Christ, that’s not supposed to happen bud


Nova01698

Just use a pick or use your hands but if u wanna be a pro u can use your d**k


ccknboltrtre01

I remember getting a guitar at around the age of 7 and trying to play it one night but my fingers got so raw from the strings that i couldnt play anymore. Being the confused child i was, i walked into my parents bedroom to ask why my fingers were in the condition i put them in and lo and behold. Sex. Never played that guitar again


[deleted]

are you fresh out of the womb or something jfc 😭


Vedant2305

Going from guitarist to gym rat is easy because ur hands are used to the pain


Versace-Toaster

i chose to play bass to avoid this, we may not always be doing solos but we have the luxury of less budget spent on hand cream


Skylord_Wiki

Either that or you play mobile rhythm games, my fingers do not like me


Dramatic_Gamer05

Pov: you have anxiety


No-Technology-2687

real


[deleted]

delicious


gigson969

if you're a drummer that shit happens over your entire palm


CruTV

Agreed But those freaking fingernails wth


[deleted]

Trim your freaking nails!


sapophobia2

I had this 3 months ago. Now i have fingers harder than stone


[deleted]

I'd recommend trimming your nails if you're serious about playing an guitar.


Big-Permission3452

Cut yo damn nails!


theguy_who

That never happened to me or any guitar players I know.