Playing through blisters

billiam5billion · #1 07-26-2011, 07:52 AM

Quick story-

I played a three hour bar gig last weekend after my band had been taking a month-long break. I'd been practicing some in the meantime, but slacking some too, so my index and middle finger both ended up getting pretty big blisters where I play. Now I've got another show this wednesday and while my fingers are healing pretty well, they're still at that point where they could tear back open. The show tomorrow is a two hour thing, so I'd like to make it all the way through with as little discomfort as possible.

Anybody got any ideas on getting through a show with preexisting blisters without altering my tone too much?

john grey · #2 07-26-2011, 08:40 AM

Most likely some folks will disagree with me but I do not recommend you play through blisters in any extended _practice_ prior to the show.. "Feel" is a very ambiguous thing and pain makes for an alteration in the manner in which you play. IF you are happy with what you've got now, let the blisters heal as much as possible. I say this because it's only too natural to avoid the pain and by doing so you might develop habits that are not in your best interest.

Now you may be in a tough spot, with a gig pending. There is not too much you can do. One of them may be turn up your volume a bit so you don't need the same level of contact but Band-aids, etc will mess up your playing (I've tried). You could try putting some benzocaine ointment on your fingers or strings but then you'd need to practice (gently) so you get the feel of the slicker surface. If the sound wouldn't be ruined you could also try flats.
You're in a tough spot and there is no easy answer. My suggestion is do NOT focus on the blisters. When the time comes PLAY. You'll have time to heal then. But if you set yourself up to concentrate on the pain instead of the music you'll spoil getting your head into the sound.

carl h. · #3 07-26-2011, 08:45 AM

Benzocaine and gaffers tape on the fingers. After the tape falls off in about 5 minutes, turn up and ease off. When that becomes too much go to thumb or ring finger sparingly.

Hit the advil before the gig, and no more practice, save what you have for the gig.

Russell L · #4 07-26-2011, 09:32 AM

You can play with latex gloves on, but it won't look good, nope.

Ya might get lots of questions, though. Thing is, ya want something to keep the flesh from rubbing around, or else your blisters will become worse sores. Personally, I'd do the Band-Aids thing, and as awkward as it may be, just play the simplest part possible, and be VERY careful. Or, you might could use some adhesive tape (but then, it would look weird like latex gloves, unless you could find some flesh-colored tape?).

Novel idea: ask a pharmacist and see if they have a recommendation.

When ya get through, next time, don't ever play so that you get blisters. Lighten up your touch. Goodness, I could play ALL NIGHT and not get blisters.

AlvarHanso · #5 07-26-2011, 09:33 AM

That's why I broke out a pick last weekend after starting to get sore fingers about 3 hours in. Figure there's not really much you can do if it's on the left hand, though.

makkE · #6 07-26-2011, 11:44 AM

Left or right hand?

An emergency trick some people have used successfully is applying a coat of superglue. It will become rock hard, but if it's on your plucking hand, it will change the tone to be a bit sharper. Also, you need to watch out as to not glue your fingers together :P

Dark Horse · #7 07-26-2011, 11:45 AM

I'm a freak - pin prick to let the fluid out, then coat liberally with superglue.

BigOldHarry · #8 07-26-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

I'm a freak - pin prick to let the fluid out, then coat liberally with superglue.

Not freakish at all. A proven approach, really.

And never forget: Pain is weakness leaving the body!

N.F.A. · #9 07-26-2011, 11:51 AM

pop it, superglue it, basta...

R. Laevinus · #10 07-26-2011, 11:56 AM

Superglue works great. Also tincture of benzoin can be injected under the loose skin; it sort of glues it down.

Barring that, you have tape/bandaids, which are poor ideas and really are only suited to those stranded without superglue (although good-quality, old-fashioned duct tape strips might work)...

...but if the problem is on your plucking hand, a simpler, easier solution might be to just use a pick. Yes, the tone is different, but whatcha gonna do? (And EQ can minimize that.)

WilliamSandoval · #11 07-26-2011, 12:07 PM

Super glue!

moebass · #12 07-26-2011, 12:12 PM

Super glue works. The pen type works well.Its easy to apply.
When the blister pops just fill it in.This will sting ,but it works.
You can also put ontop of the blister.This only helps for a bit.
The best way is just to play more,or play through it.

Russell L · #13 07-26-2011, 01:26 PM

>>>Pain is weakness leaving the body!<<<

I have a US Marines shirt with that on it. Oorah!

basscamel 420 · #14 07-26-2011, 01:56 PM

Something happened to me. I was in the middle of our set and looked down and my E string was covered in blood from where my middle finger would come in contact with it.

insain · #15 07-26-2011, 02:17 PM

pop the blister, let it dry for a day, super glue a few hours before the gig. in the future, you can toughen your fingertips by soaking in pickle juice

fearceol · #16 07-27-2011, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Pain is weakness leaving the body!

My idea of pain is that it is the body's warning that something is amiss and needs to be rectified. I dont think weakness comes into the equation.

grendle · #17 07-27-2011, 09:49 AM

yep pop, superglue, tape, advil.

mowburger · #18 07-27-2011, 10:46 AM

A guitarist once told me to fill a cup wih the hottest water I can stand putting my finger in and soak the blister until the water cools to room tempurature, repeat this for at least an hour before you go to bed, (you can read a book or watch TV)

I swear it works, I tried it one time when I had a marathon of rehearsals one day, I think I was over compensating for a not-loud-enough amp. anyway I had a huge blister on my #1 plucking finger(right hand) I did this and the next morning the blister totaly went down, my finger kinda looked wrinkly that day(like satying in a bath too long) but by dinner time my finger was good enough to play.

It was a lil tender after but I lightened up and played fine.

Other than that the super glue works in a pinch.

JimmyM · #19 07-27-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearceol

My idea of pain is that it is the body's warning that something is amiss and needs to be rectified. I dont think weakness comes into the equation.

Exactly. Pain is NOT weakness leaving the body...that's just a meaningless platitude that some drill sergeant came up with to get his boys to not give up when they're in pain. Pain is weakness ENTERING the body.

WilliamSandoval · #20 07-27-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Exactly. Pain is NOT weakness leaving the body...that's just a meaningless platitude that some drill sergeant came up with to get his boys to not give up when they're in pain. Pain is weakness ENTERING the body.

I agree with you on that one. But either way, pain hurts.