Calluses help!

[fifteenrabbits]

I keep playing too hard, getting blisters, and then the blisters pop and it starts all over again! how do I develop calluses?!

I'm a guitarist moving to upright bass. please help.

tricks, tips, anything!

[Menacewarf]

From my experience calouses devolop after the sensativity of the blisters expire.

It sounds like thats not happening with you.

I have had it recomended to me by more then a few people that superglue is perfect for blisters. A freind was told by his docotor that was what superglue was first made for.

It's worth a try but ive got noe first hand...

You should try not to pop them also if that's not obvious.

[fifteenrabbits]

I suppose what happens most often is that the blisters heal, and I have some skin there for a bit, but then it dies and comes off when I play the bass again.

[fretlessspence]

If you can I would play up to the point where blisters are about to form but have not. Then stop, and pick it up the next day. Do the same until you have rock hard fingertips.

I recently started playing with a new right hand style. Worked for me.

[Dave Speranza]

You don't have any gigs at this point so you can take some time with this. I recommend the following:

Play until blister develops. Pop blister very slightly with a pin/needle and drain it. Leave as much of the blister skin as possible intact. Let it heal overnight. The skin that was blistered will start to turn to callous. Repeat this everyday until you get the "rocks."

If you play on the blistered skin after you drain it it will tear open and you will have fresh skin underneath which will again blister. Make sure you heal it overnight.

[fingers]

How long have you been playing DB?

How often do you play?

How long before you get a blister?



Oh yeah, and fill in your profile. Believe it or not it can help guide any advice you get.

[blindeddie]

i have to agree, that if you don't have any upcoming gigs, now is the best time to start developing those calluses. i think playing as much as possible is best. and try to get as many blisters as possible, but try not to pop them if you can help it. if you have to, then make sure you only put the pin in once, and on the trailing side of the blister, so you won't be as likely to tear the roof off. the bad news is, even calluses tear off eventually, so it's a constant issue.

[fifteenrabbits]

Originally Posted by fingers

How long have you been playing DB?

How often do you play?

How long before you get a blister?



Oh yeah, and fill in your profile. Believe it or not it can help guide any advice you get.

I started playing about 3 years ago, but I stopped for about 2 years because of nerve damage in my left hand. I'm just now starting up again.

I've been trying to play every day, but if I play for any more than 5 minutes at a time my right fingertips start to blister.

[fingers]

Thanks for filling in your profile and putting a link to your Myspace.

I think, as much as we'd like it, there is no quick fix to the problem. If you have time let your body do its thing.

play

get a blister

let your body absorb the liquid in the blister (this may take a few days)

practice with a bow while you are waiting

play a bit until the loose skin comes off or cut off the loose skin

wash, rinse , repeat

Putting super glue, liquid bandage, or some other protectant on the skin can help in the short term but is hindering your body's natural callous making ability.

It has taken 15 years to build the callouses I have and I still get blisters once and a while. Just be patient.

btw the way, how the heck do you spell callous, callus, calus, calous. My spell check got very confused.

[fifteenrabbits]

Originally Posted by fingers

btw the way, how the heck do you spell callous, callus, calus, calous. My spell check got very confused.

callus! I looked it up.

Thanks for the help everybody.

-Evan

[PocketGroove82]

you might be playing to hard.