Sore Fingers |
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Sore Fingers |
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Aug 29 2008, 11:56 AM |
Well, yeah... maybe that's a bit extreme But we could tap the fingers on something less sharp perhaps, like scissors? Oh C'mon, scissors? Don't be such a coward -------------------- Guitars: various Gibson Les Pauls / Gibson J 45
Amps: Mesa Boogie Tripple Rectifier / Triaxis / 2:90 Poweramp / Rectocabs Effects: Rocktron Intellifex / Rocktron Xpression Homepage: www.marcussiepen.com www.blind-guardian.com Check out my video lessons! |
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Aug 29 2008, 12:07 PM | ||
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Aug 30 2008, 08:49 AM |
mmm I think there is some liquid to put in the fingers used a lot by harp players, but I don't know what is its name...
Anyway I use Fast-Fret in my strings and I don't have his feeling. here is an article about calluses explained by a harp player: http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/1...es-will-travel/ QUOTE Harpist for Hire - Have Calluses, Will Travel Monday, December 31, 2007 by Ariel As delicate an instrument as the pedal harp seems to be, most people don’t realize that a harpist needs to have very tough fingertips to play one for any length of time. I’ve been working quite diligently on tone and technique lately, and the increase in practice time was giving me blisters on my fingertips, particularly on my left hand from plucking the heavy wire bass strings. In an attempt to get more practice in sooner, I’ve tried out some ideas that other players might find useful. Taking a cue from the days when I needed to toughen up my feet for wildland fire season, I tried my old remedy of swabbing alcohol on areas that endure friction. The alcohol dehydrates and thickens the skin. It did help some, but not enough. It only extended my daily playing time between 10 and 20 percent. Another method of skin toughening suggested by a hiker friend, but which I did not try on my fingers, was to soak the blister-prone area in Epsom salts. I’d be curious to know if any harpists have tried this and what their results were. Another technique I tried was to use a “liquid bandage” preparation on my fingertips. This allowed me to practice for between a quarter to a third longer before I got “hot spots” or blisters. The bandage layer does tend to wear out and peel off. This method could work well if someone had a moderate amount of time to build up to multiple hours playing per day, but I wanted faster results. So, I VERY CAREFULLY smeared a thin layer of super glue on my fingertips where the skin contacts the strings. That worked extremely well and allowed me to play for several hours straight with no blistering at all. It more than tripled the amount of time that I could play at a sitting. I was amazed. I wore out before my fingertips did. WARNING: Here’s the down side - pay close attention - this will only work if you are patient in preparing your fingers and let the glue dry thoroughly before touching your strings or anything else! Get impatient and you will have a mess, and could end up with your fingertips stuck together or any number of other problems. Consider yourself warned. Also, this is definitely not a use that the manufacturer would approve of…so do the above at your own risk. I would use this method again if I needed to play for a long gig and my fingertip calluses were not properly conditioned, but I found that the glue does tend to crack and collect grime. Not particularly appealing, as the dried glue layer takes a number of days to wear off. In my opinion, your best bet is the traditional method of building up your calluses gradually and then maintaining them, but if you’re in a time squeeze the glue method does do wonders. Just be careful! At this point, my harp calluses are built up to an acceptable level for most anything I want to do. The trick now will be maintaining them when I have to be away from the harp for an an extended period of time, as I am this week. I’m packing up my place in the Arizona high country in preparation for putting it up for sale. Next time I sit down to practice, I’ll see how my calluses held up to the time away. -------------------- |
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Aug 30 2008, 08:58 AM |
mmm I think there is some liquid to put in the fingers used a lot by harp players, but I don't know what is its name... Anyway I use Fast-Fret in my strings and I don't have his feeling. here is an article about calluses explained by a harp player: http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/1...es-will-travel/ Thanks Juan, that's a great article! Hm... I think I will give the super glue a try |
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Sep 7 2008, 10:52 PM |
There are so many responses that this method could have already been advised. What I used to do was buy some surgical spirit and dab the end of my fingertips. This harderns them up pretty good Just make sure you dry your fingers thoroughly, as I've no idea what nasty things that might do to your much loved guitars. heh. - This might sound pretty scary and illadvised, but my Aunt is a Doctor and when she played guitar she used this method. It really does work! What is exactly a "surgical spirit" ? Can you find me a link or something...Thanks -------------------- For GMC support please email support (at) guitarmasterclass.net
Check out my lessons and my instructor board. Check out my beginner guitar lessons course! ; Take a bass course now! |
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Sep 8 2008, 02:00 AM |
What is exactly a "surgical spirit" ? Can you find me a link or something...Thanks I think its essentially a form of methylated spirit, but they widely use it in medicine practice for cleansing the skin or before surgery as an anti-septic. It's common in most pharmacy's here, also sold in sports stores sometimes for athletes to use. It smells a bit strange, but honestly I know in writing it sounds a bit dodgy, and with things you read on the internet these days!! But yeah, ask in a pharmacy or drugs store about it and they should confirm what I'm saying. It basically hardens up the skin a little bit, I'm not sure if thats its intended purpose, but if you type in "surgical spirit" and "guitar" in to google, you'll notice that it comes up a fair bit in other forums. Here's a link to what it is, but I warn you, looks very very dull! http://www.firstaid4sport.co.uk/product.as...ELAID=153526095 Hope that maybe I've contributed a little helping tip to some GMC users, considering the quality of lessons, its the least I can do!! Besides paying for the lessons 100% worth it though Edit - You'll notice on the link it says - "This general skin disinfectant constricts your skin, preventing dirt and grime from infecting the skin. Also can be used as a rub to harden the skin of the hands and feet." IT WORKS! This post has been edited by Ajmurrell: Sep 8 2008, 02:01 AM -------------------- GMC Travel Agent, at your service.
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Sep 8 2008, 07:19 AM |
Thanks for sharing Ajmurrell. That looks very interesting
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Sep 20 2008, 03:30 PM |
I sure don't hope you'd classify Marcus as a beginner, 'cause then what the heck would us students be? I mean Great Topic Marcus , And begginners here is my thought |
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