5 Tips for Fixing Finger Pain! 🖐️ (for the Beginner Guitar Player)

hey everyone! 👋
as i've been getting some new viewers/beginners on my channel lately (thank you, by the way! 🥰), i've noticed an increase in some of the same questions/comments about fingertip pain and how that's preventing you from practicing your guitar. 🎸
i know when you're first starting out that this can be very discouraging and might even have you thinking about quitting! 😩 so i'm here to give you some tips on how to deal and hopefully motivate you to push past it! 💪
🕚 TIME GUIDE
0:00 introduction
0:43 build your calluses
6:53 change your strings
8:51 check your action
10:08 use the right pressure
13:56 keep on going!
i hope you're able to use some of these tips to help get you through the painful part of learning guitar, so you can cross the road into the fun part! 🤗 i promise this is a temporary problem and one day soon, you'll forget why you even clicked on this video! 😉 best of luck, and you CAN totally get through this!! 💕
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⭐ if you'd like to check out the RuffGrip callus builder i talked about in my video, you can use my affiliate link below! using this link helps my channel to grow and allows these videos to remain free for everyone!
---- affiliate link ----
link for RuffGrip callus builder: amzn.to/3nO8VEp
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👚 check out my OFFICIAL MERCH here! 👕
teespring.com/stores/for3v3rf...
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connect with me! 💕
TWITTER: / for3v3rfaithful
INSTAGRAM: / xfor3v3rfaithfulx
FACEBOOK: / for3v3rfaith. .
TIKTOK: / xfor3v3rfaithfulx
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thanks for watching my tips video, and be sure to leave any questions i didn't address in the comments! 👇 i'll get back to you as soon as i can. love you guys, and more tutorials coming soon! 🦋
🎶 background music from www.bensound.com 🎶

[@lauren808]

My biggest tip for finger pain is just, keep going! My fingers stopped hurting within a few days because I was practicing so often! You can do it!

[@JohnOhkumaThiel]

Same here. First ten minutes was a very long time, then thirty and my hands were screaming and stumbling over the fretboard. Eventually I got to the point I can play for hours without a break and at worst just feel tired. I purposely play physically hard though dumb chord changes though, literally to keep my hands strong enough to do anything.

[@karthigesusasikumar7431]

Hi

[@nitesh7322]

I'm not even able to type on keyboard ☹️

[@DinLokaleStalker]

Did you take any breaks?

[@thepolymorphicaris1939]

I thought you are taylor swift 🤣

[@saturn7404]

this used to be a problem when I was an absolute beginner! but the more i play i start to realize that i don't have to press the strings as hard as i thought(one of the main problems my fingers hurt) i wish this video existed when i was just learning. very informative!

[@JohnOhkumaThiel]

I think most guitar teachers have been playing so long that they’re out of touch with the total beginner experience. She’s one of the few exceptions because she really communicates with her audience. She also not afraid to show there is stuff that is completely outside her experience and expertise, like playing lead. Most people pick up guitar these days wanting to play lead but don’t learn rhythm until much later. They want to go straight to soloing. But she’s a singer / songwriter type player, so it’s all about playing those chord changes. After a year and change, I’m just starting to get good at rhythm, particularly Blues.

[@karthigesusasikumar7431]

Hi

[@lifeofjamesmcwilliams6995]

thanks for the reply i am a absolute beginner.

[@mmxdii]

same, i thought i had to make the string touch the wood lol

[@JohnOhkumaThiel]

I was a beginner on guitar not very long ago, though I was already a musician on another instrument. On TIP # 1: In the very beginning, I would say 10 minutes a day was the absolute limit. I didn’t have the muscle in my hands to do any more than that. That was probably about the first two months. When the callouses get too hard and start to crack, don’t try to cut them and particularly don’t pick at them. Instead get an emory board and keep them hard but smooth. You’re going to go through this all over again when you start to play barre chords. When you play chords, learn to relax. You don’t need a death grip on the neck. The string doesn’t need to be pressed down to the wood, just the frets. In fact, if you press too hard then you will play those notes out of tune because you’re bending the strings. And the better you are at playing relaxed, the faster you can do everything from chord transitions to playing heavy metal licks.

[@karthigesusasikumar7431]

Hi

[@tacoandurmom]

this is very helpful

[@tacoandurmom]

@@karthigesusasikumar7431 ello

[@kiillabytez]

I might add, practice as long as there is no discomfort. When you start to experience distress in your fingers hand or wrist, take a 10-15 minute break. Soon, the distress will lessen and you'll be able to play for longer periods of time.

[@livendie4457]

Thanks that was really helpful

[@sudenazdemir2363]

Please do more Taylor Swift beginner guitar tutorials, you are best!

[@karthigesusasikumar7431]

Hi

[@mercurialalien5244]

I always wanted to play guitar just to ease my stressful day but every time I search for a tutorial I become more stressful and frustrated hahah. Yours was the easiest tutorial to follow I found here in yt. Thanks also for all the motivations huhu.

[@alaindelanay]

Here's my tip: to change guitar often, remember that Ellen's door is open ( I know you're so generous, Ellen)😂😂😂 we've all seen she has many guitar, if you don't, and 10 minutes every 3 hours is indeed a good rate😉 Seriously, Ellen's tips are very good, and I would have liked to know them when I started 🥰😍💗💞💗🙏🎄

[@karthigesusasikumar7431]

Hi

[@Lafalot54]

This is one reason why I don't play guitar as much as piano! My fingers hurt too much, and when I do build a little callous, I stop playing and they come off after a hot shower. Thank you so much for these tips!

[@evasragova8335]

I can totally relate. I've been playing a piano for 10 years and a guitar for 3 days 😂 Yesterday I realized how much more comfortable is playing the piano and how much more I'm enjoying it - just because there's no pain 😀

[@karthigesusasikumar7431]

Hi

[@sismusic5622]

I love how she does so much taylor swift songs

[@ApexAshan]

I can literally feel the calluses coming after just one day

[@melissaclay8335]

First of all, you are an AMAZING teacher! I have always wanted to learn to play guitar and now at 57 yrs old I am attempting to learn. 🙇‍♀️ I am watching your series on learning guitar and finding it very helpful! In this video you answered so many of my questions and helped me so much. I am curious, at what point should I be concerned that I don’t read music?🤔 Or is that something I should have already done something about? Thanks again for sharing your talent and knowledge.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Aww thank you so much for the sweet comment! 🥰 I'm really happy to hear that my channel has been helpful to you while learning so I hope I can keep making new videos that will be fun for you to play as well! 🎸 As far as your question goes, I'd say it's more helpful to be able to read music if you plan on going more towards lead guitar or classical guitar. 🤔 For rhythm guitar, which is largely what singer-songwriters use, it's not super important to read sheet music (in my opinion). If you have the chord shapes memorized, that should get you through 75% of most songs you'd want to learn. 👍 What may be helpful is learning how to read guitar tabs, which is very similar to classic music notation, but slightly different because it's specific to guitar. 🎶 I'm planning a video on how to read tablature soon, but overall I'd say for beginners, you're right on track with learning chord shapes and strumming patterns for now! 🤗

[@maximumplayz_0934]

Aww its true, Ur nice Keep Practicing God bless and stay safe, ☺️

[@LitchfieldParkFamily]

Great ideas! Thanks for the advice! 🎄👍

[@melodyomorogbe]

Thank you very much, it's really helpful

[@avosmash2121]

I love your channel! Very good teachings

[@rafi540]

Thank you, this help me a lot!

[@METALAFFLICTION]

Another great video Ellen thanks for the tips and encouragement. Popular and good saying no pain no gain. I have been playing almost every day for the past 2 months. I got blisters the first week but just kept on going. I refuse to skip a day even if I could benefit from it. I absolutely fell in love with this instrument from the 1st day and can't put it down.😀

[@springs1976]

I love the way you teach guitar,what an amazing teacher,you’re one of the best teachers ever.

[@benjamind7290]

Underappreciated guidance!

[@kissguy2]

Thank you Ellen ❤️🎸

[@fredschell8051]

I adjusted all strings closest to the neck on each of my 8 electric guitars ...and that made playing do much easier !

[@karthigesusasikumar7431]

Hi

[@lachimolalaxoxo6987]

This was needed 😭😭❤️

[@franciscabelanger7200]

Helpful helpful tips! Thank you

[@giftp1703]

Really useful!! Thank you

[@JockerTheRipper]

You cracked the finger pressure concept👍👍. Now I got to know what mistake I was doing was forming bow all the time. Thank you for the advice.

[@samayashribabu9173]

Thank you soooo much for this video... I'm a beginner and this video realllyyyy helped me...💖

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Awesome! So glad I could help! 🤗 Now you'll be able to jam out to more songs! 🎸

[@TrucNguyen-so7wt]

Great instructions! Love how you simplify things to make it easy to understand.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

So glad you like my teaching style! 🤗 Thanks so much for watching! 💕

[@lilitaznauryan3218]

my hand also hurts it feels like my fingers are kinda short to reach to the necessary place

[@kyangyaw499]

Thanks for everything 🤗🤗💗

[@learnfromfiction9657]

Thank you I really like her tutorials attention to details

[@Californian1952]

Your channel is sooo thorough and such a perfect teaching site! Thank you soooo much❤❤❤🎉🎉

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Aww thank you so much for the super sweet comment! 🥰 I'm really glad you like my teaching style! 🙌

[@Ang3l_lune]

I like to play guitar as a hobby and you make it more easy thank you

[@angkonsarkar8063]

Thanks for your advice thank you 😄😄❤❤

[@tylangton6974]

PRACTICE PRACTICE.....Your How To Practice/Play Barre Chords is one of the best videos ever...

[@jezzamae2328]

You're the best teacher!❤❤

[@johnghadimi]

LOVE this video so much... fantastic tips and more importantly, your genuine interest in teaching this great instrument just comes through. Tip#4 on using the right pressure: gold mine. It's the aha moment for me. Thank you :)

[@for3v3rfaithful]

That's so awesome to hear you found these tips helpful! 🤗 Thanks for watching my videos and learning guitar with me! 🎸🎶

[@dublinro8]

You look like my perfect friend 🤗 Love your lessons! I’m learning so much from you! Thank you so much !🙌🏻✨🌹

[@for3v3rfaithful]

I'm so glad you like my videos! 🤗 Thanks so much for watching them and happy to help! 💕

[@arielincredible4704]

Thank you! I really needed this, it's like you read my mind LOL

[@kat.sings.8778]

Ohhh. This is extremely helpful because it turns out I was pressing way to hard, thank you so much!

[@saad_b]

Great video 🙏🏻

[@madzster2008]

I remember i used to watch your videos back in 2016/2015. I didn't have a guitar at the time but i really wanted one after seeing sungha jung play pirates of the carribean when he was 5. I then found ur channel and used to watch ur tutorials all the time until i eventually got a guitar.

[@SUEROMANI]

So happy I found you!

[@christinelee9984]

Good tips thanks 😄

[@sanchitamishra8730]

You are one of the best teachers in the world!!❤

[@karthigesusasikumar7431]

Hi

[@oraniabeloshi849]

That's what no one said

[@yohankajayasuriya9900]

You my inspiration. Your the best. Thank you so very much. I really appreciate it. 😘😘

[@karthigesusasikumar7431]

Hi

[@tapansikdar4043]

👍👍 Nice work Ellen 🥰

[@shurok84]

Great video.. thanks ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@shanif]

Thanks!

[@tylangton6974]

Another GREAT Video!!!!

[@breenahopkins9051]

Thank youuuu

[@Sara-zp9wi]

You are the best teacher ever!

[@user-hu1jm4pj4d]

I love your classes it is so nice😘

[@for3v3rfaithful]

I'm really glad you like these vids! 🤗 Thanks for watching!

[@sugiuesakusen2584]

Thanks so much 🙏🙏🙏

[@miaflorgalang4741]

Very informative content. I nearly got to stop practicing, but thanks to this video! 🤗

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you found these tips helpful! 🤗

[@ElanoraC]

yes thank you Ellen

[@bhumiarya2468]

I needed this only

[@melodyomorogbe]

I just got my guitar back finally and in less than 4 days i already have blisters for the fist time, it's so sad (I mean, I know I haven't been playing for 4 months) but it's still sad

[@wulu3519]

You're amazing 👏

[@MuserukaGuillaume]

i liked this video it was very helpful

[@natalieblack3903]

this was very helpfull and you really helped me become a better gutar player pluse these tips are amazing TYSM

[@for3v3rfaithful]

I'm really glad you found these tips helpful! 🙌 Thanks so much for watching! 💕

[@juanlabbe9236]

Great tips!

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Thanks so much! I hope they help! 🤗

[@sharadnaik649]

Great. God bless you.

[@mikehelbert761]

You are a Good Teacher, Thank you for all your Time , Your a Really good player also . Looking forward to your next session, for me I always start with you first session and move through them everyday, every couple hour I practice for at least 20 minutes or longer. Thanks again. The only problem I have is fingers are to big for some Cords , I’m trying to bar with 1 finger , but it doesn’t always work. Give me some feedback on this issue, Please

[@LivAktig]

Thank you for explaining how much pressure to use. I grew up playing a classical string instrument, so I'm hardwired to just automatically press all the way down to the fingerboard, and didn't even realize that I've been strangling my strings. But your demonstration showing the difference between too much pressure, too little pressure, and the right amount of pressure makes a lot of sense. In addition to preventing blisters and unnecessary muscle strain, I imagine letting up on the fingerboard a bit also saves strings from extra wear and tear if you're not grinding them against the frets.

[@for3v3rfaithful]

You're totally right - using the right pressure and not pressing too hard helps keep your guitar in tune and your strings last longer because they're not being stretched more than they need to. 👍 Thanks so much for watching this video, and I'm really glad my visuals were helpful for you! 🤗

[@julybiju5590]

I have experienced a lot of pain in the edge of my fingers when playing the guitar😢 and I had much pain when playing the strings in fred one because it is near to the neck of the guitar and it is so hard to press on it. Playing the frets after the first one is the easiest because I don't have to put much pressure on them than the first one.I usually play the strings on the first fret with my index finger and the pain lasted for like 15 or more than 15 minutes, and I think my index finger is developing calluses faster than the rest of my fingers. And thank you soo much❤❤ for sharing such great tips with us❤

[@masteryoung7392]

Ive been doing the same thing☺️ If it hurts too much take a break..really🙄

[@reign_bp7748]

1week after watching this, I already build my calluses 🤩

[@bryan270]

thank youuuuuuuu

[@pleasedonttellbuddha6432]

you rock my dear

[@trishasharma8a817]

Hi I love watching your videos 😍😊. They help me a lot . I have calluses on my pointer finger and I have started learning to play guitar since a week. Is it ok ?

[@themonster6112]

I need u so much Ellen Please attention with the beginner.. u are the best And ur T-shirts are so beautiful I always look to them😂❤

[@xxcolorfulrsesxx6631]

Her: if your brand new to guitar You probably never had to use your fingers like this Me who plays another strings instrument: 😛

[@RihamAkrou]

I have a question Iam a beginner wanting to learn guitar yesterday i went to buy one,when i did the guy selling them gave me some advice and said to buy a guitar with plastic strings to get started and said that metal string guitars are not safe for beginners due to finger pain i decided not to buy one until i asked you Please respond 🙏🏻😭 Btw i love your videos❤️

[@enby8167]

1:52 is it a good idea to press your fingers on the strings for long periods of time for the sole reason of building calluses so that playing will be easier? Also how often should we do this if it is a good idea?

[@yuu_0731]

Why do I Feel like Crying QWQ (for real) You're Amazing QwQ💠💠

[@karthigesusasikumar7431]

Hi

[@yuu_0731]

@@karthigesusasikumar7431 Hewwo💠

[@suhanikang3945]

Hi Ellen, Can you please make a tutorial on Pink Lemonade by Johnny Stimson. I love your tutorials and you have helped me become a better guitarist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🤗🤗

[@reduchiha1038]

Could u plse tell if we could use a scale to do the pressing?? I really luv ur videos nd efforts

[@CampfireGuitarHero]

A great list Ellen. No.5, keep going sums it up nicely. If guitar was easy everybody would be playing one. PS: how’s the electric playing going? Nailed Sweet Child o Mine yet?🤘🏼

[@ManaSong]

I legitimately never knew that you did not need to push the strings all the way down to the neck. No wonder I've never actually been able to manage to play! I've tried on several different guitars over the years and it never sounded quite right and it's always just destroyed my fingers and hand, not just hurting the tips but also the muscles because of how much force I had to use to get all of those strings held down so hard, it seemed impossible. Thank you so much for this video and ESPECIALLY that close up of showing how the strings should look! Honestly might have been the single most helpful bit of advice I have ever heard, and I've dabbled in trying to learn how to play off and on for like 20 years now. I don't know how I never knew that, unless it's just such common knowledge that it's rarely ever stated so explicitly and clearly? I've heard not to press "too hard" but didn't really know what that meant! I just picked up my guitar and tried the chords from your beginner episode 1 lesson that seemed so uncomfortable and awkward and did them while I looked at the neck from the side to see how much pressure I needed just to get the strings to touch the frets, and almost cried because they're so much easier to do than I realized (minus the awkwardness of getting my fingers into the right positions) not to mention they actually sound how they're supposed to sound now. This might be what I needed to actually help me stick with this and finally learn how to play after all these years THANK YOU SO MUCH OMG ❤

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Yay!! I'm so happy that tip helped you out and glad I included the close up. 🤗 I'm not sure why it's not stated more often... maybe because by the time a person gets good enough at guitar to teach it, they tend to forget about things that are just second nature? 🤔 Either way, I'm excited for you to continue on your journey now that the finger pain won't be as big of an issue! 🎸 You've got it this time around for sure!! 💪

[@seanfrancis2981]

thanks

[@charnekieser9179]

Please do one on nuckle pain

[@saxophool]

Another tip that I heard from the local music store guy: Instead of alcohol, like the other E.C. suggested, get a little bottle of Bactine liquid or any similar wound cleaner that advertises pain relief. Pour some in the cap and dip your fingertips before and after playing. Dry them before playing, obviously. So, you have the alcohol in it to quicken callus development and pain relief so you can practice more. All the best! 😎

[@beccarodriguez77]

Thank you so much for this video bc I really don’t want to give up on learning to play my guitar especially since I would like to add to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ another talent from which he’s given me and play it in church for his glory. so again, thank you to had taken the time to make this really helpful video.

[@at68250]

I love Using The D'addario Guitar Strings 😍😍✌️

[@for3v3rfaithful]

Same!! I think they sound the best straight out of the box. 👍

[@at68250]

@@for3v3rfaithful to me D'Addario Strings are my favorite too Get , because how Great They Sound Yeah I'm a Big fan of Them 😍😍

[@abubakr_15_4]

we need a video about bar-chords and bending the strings thank u for your efforts 🙏❤

[@JohnOhkumaThiel]

Barre chords, I finally got it by just diving in. I first tried a suggestion I heard which was to learn a tune with just one or two barre chords, but I genuinely think-coming from experience-it’s better to learn a tune that is all barre chords, like a basic A minor 12 bar Blues progression.

[@karthigesusasikumar7431]

Hi

[@eliffirdevs4122]

You are awesome

[@karthigesusasikumar7431]

Hi

[@darktsunami8313]

Just picked up guitar and had dropped cello a few years ago, here goes getting those calluses back :’)

[@for3v3rfaithful]

You've got this! 💪 Cello strings are way thicker than guitar strings so you should have no problem! 😉

[@-allen-9357]

Cool I learned something new about pressing down to light or to hard on the guitar strings today hehe Thanks for another lesson ❤️

[@karthigesusasikumar7431]

Hi

[@jitakshisolanki3401]

My problem is that when i play with a capo it's easy to press the strings and without the capo the first 2 strings like the thinnest strings are really hard to press with my 3rd and 4th finger. (when I am playing the G or Em7 or Cadd9) Is that normal? I have just started learning guitar 2 days ago so is that normal or do I need it to get checked?

[@breenahopkins9051]

Just started today and going to be posting on my channel

[@karthigesusasikumar7431]

Hi

[@breenahopkins9051]

@@karthigesusasikumar7431 Hi!

[@starplayzreadbio373]

15:41 When I'm thinking Guitar is here. Lemme be here again

[@jayatishreepandey9359]

Hey your videos have been very helpful!Thank you so much 😊. If possible can you please make a tutorial of you belong with me by Taylor Swift ?

[@Jadespiterioliva]

Look I started my guitar lessons today I would say nylon strings can be used as that's what my teacher told me to get they can hurt if you play for a long time but after some time it goes away❤

[@tamle-sr5ly]

Can you do a tutorial for the song "Happy New Year" by ABBA please!

[@ELITE-ut6qk]

what kind of guitar do you use

[@CyclingM1867]

I can attest to how quickly it can take to lose the calluses from guitar playing. So don't quit playing and keep practicing so that you keep up with your calluses, but, even more so, to keep playing and to build on your skills. You won't regret it! 🥰🤗

[@sarahseverson9170]

Hello! Just began teaching myself! One thing I have noticed that is concerning me is the knuckles in my fretting hand are also sore...anyone know what is causing this? Is it a combination of pressing too hard/not curving my hands enough?

[@Brenda-yn5zf]

Hi, I have a classical guitar with nylon strings, you mentioned that you shouldn’t press so hard (only to the point where it touches the fret) but if I do that it makes a buzzing sound. I find myself having to press all the way down to make it sound good. Is that normal on classical guitars or should i get it checked out?

[@for3v3rfaithful]

You may want to get it checked out to make sure there isn't any significant bowing in your guitar neck. You shouldn't have to press any harder than it takes to get the strings touching the fret wires for them to sound out. 🤔

[@basenjipoppy]

Great advice and encouragement. My go to is rubbing alcohol and an ICE PACK, the ones that have the hard plastic cover that fit in a lunch bag or a cooler.....really really helps with the pain. Peace

[@for3v3rfaithful]

I could totally see that - numbing the pain! 💯 Thanks for watching 💕

[@shritareddy7620]

Actually I have a high action on my Guitar so,what should I do ?

[@user-sg9ph3vn2y]

but on my guitar the steel strings hurt less than the nylon strings what should i do with that

[@honitazing3314]

👍👍👍