Callous ... problem?

[PlayMoreBass]

Ok, I know there are a hundred threads on callouses. I read them(well, the first 2 pages of search results, anyway). None of them respond to my concern.

Which is, admittedly, a stupid concern.

I've been playing for little over a year. At first, not so much, but as of the past six or seven months, every day. At least half an hour, and when I actually practice, more like an hour and a half.

I've never gotten a blister, never formed any callouses. My fingertips are just as tender and soft as a baby's bottom.

I don't dig in - I let my amp play loud for me. But am I doing something significantly wrong? More importantly, though, is that I just feel left out. All the other newbies are off getting callouses and putting pictures of them online, and I've got nothing. I'm missing out on a rite of passage!


Sorry if this is in the wrong forum.

[MarkTAW]

You're not a real musician until you can scream "I've got blisters on my fingers!" and MEAN it.

Either that or, if after practicing every day, you don't have callouses, you don't need 'em.

[Mazatleco17]

I'm in the same page, I've practicing (seriously) for around 3 months (pretty much everyday) but I have never formed blisters or anything, I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong

[scottbass]

Originally Posted by MarkTAW

...if after practicing every day, you don't have callouses, you don't need 'em.

+1. I've never heard of that before - playing 60 to 90 minutes per day and NOT developing callouses - but what the heck? If you needed them, you'd have them.

[artistanbul]

yes. and if you're comfortable with the way you play it's great.
for a soft thump near neck, padded smooth fingertip is best.
for attack and, bony bright sound, callouses help.

you're not doing anything wrong. not necessarily. gary willis isn't doing anything wrong.

[namraj]

You're not a true hardcore musician till you bleed on ur instrument lol, I used to cut my fingers to shreds and i have literally bled on myn and others instruments before but now after 7 years of playing my fingers are like rocks, lol, if u sound good hoo cares if u can stick pins in ur fingers with out feeling it, and ull have the added advantage with the ladies of improved dexterity in ur fingers but no lack of sensitivity

[PlayMoreBass]

Originally Posted by MarkTAW

You're not a real musician until you can scream "I've got blisters on my fingers!" and MEAN it.

I wish I could!

Maybe I should try a different set of strings ... I've always only played flats, and I once tried a friend's bass that had roundwound strings, and it HURT! Does this resonate with anyone?

[Mazatleco17]

In my case, my fingertips do hurt A LOT!!! But no callouses.

[jsingles]

unless its hurting your fingers to play, who cares, if it is, change the way you "practice"

[Xanthyr]

If you're not in pain when you play or afterwards, you're doing something right. It doesn't matter if you get callouses or not. I have a callous on every single one of my fingers, but it isn't visable and my fingers are soft, it's just as if my skin doesn't have as much feeling any more though I know it's not nerve damage.

I forgot that I used to get pain when I plat extended amounts of bass. I haven't had that problem for years now, and I'm glad.

I've had my share of blisters. I played my dead-stringed acoustic to a live show due to lack of strings on the others and played with that finger-destroying beast. It literally tore a hole in every one of my fingers except my 4th fingers on both hands. I ended up plucking and fretting exclusively with those so I wouldn't damage my fingers anymore. It looked ridiculous, and felt like it too.

P.S.A. When you have holes in all of your fingers, do not grab a cup of fresh coffee.

[crazyguy832]

Originally Posted by PlayMoreBass

I wish I could!

Maybe I should try a different set of strings ... I've always only played flats, and I once tried a friend's bass that had roundwound strings, and it HURT! Does this resonate with anyone?

Actually, that's exactly why you've never developed calluses. Comparing flatwounds to roundwounds is like comparing kleenex to sandpaper.

[nsmar4211]

Played for a year on tapewounds (blues!), no callouses. Switched to roundwounds....... callouses. Blisters.......no blood thus far .
Play 4 hours not being able to hear yourself and stupidly not realizing you were playing hard to compensate after just switching to roundwounds, you'll get callouses. If you "want" them, change string types.
However, be forewarned that it will mess with your head a bit when the ends of your fingers aren't as sensitive as they used to be... and when you pick up a hot bowl, also be warned that just cause it doesn't burn your fingers doesn't mean its safe for your tongue

[joebingo]

cigarettes while drunk aint that great when you've got well developed callouses either...