Taking care of callouses?

[Big Hoss]

So dumb question.

I ran into an interesting issue. The callouses on my plucking hand aren't staying smooth and even. Specifically at the most common point of contact, the skin is "fuzzing" slightly, well, like dry skin does.

This actually causes my fingers to be "slightly longer" if that makes sense, than my head knows them to be, making for changes to the sound that I don't really like...

I have used moisturizers that seem to help, but I am concerned that they will reduce / eliminate the callouses.

Any advice?

 

[vickerekes]

I have used emery boards (mostly for callouses on my fretting hand) with a measure of success.

 

[Mushroo]

Try a lighter and more ergonomic plucking technique, and you can get rid of those pesky and unnecessary callouses. It might take a couple of months of adaptation, but you'll find it is totally worth the effort to learn proper technique. Does your teacher have any thoughts about the callouses, or is he or she unconcerned about the problem?

 

[MalcolmAmos]

I don't have callouses like you would think of callouses. My finger tips are not calloused or flakey. They have just gotten, I guess harder, is the correct word. After a session there are indentions from the strings, however, not any pain to speak of.

I do use flats and foam rubber on the bass and medium gauge strings on my rhythm guitar.

When I first started they were sour at first, I do remember the pain, but, I never did develop what you would think of as callouses.

I do not normally use lotion, so I can not recommend that one way or another, mine kinda took care of themselves.

I don't think the pain will last much longer and would recommend you tough it out. Don't practice over an hour at a time right now. Those that say practice till they bleed, that is going a little too far.

Good luck.

 

[Staredge]

When my hands dry out, the ones on my left hand start to flake. Lotion is your friend. Haven't had any come out on my right hand.

 

[morticia]

I moisturize religiously, if I don't my callouses flake off!