Touch screens/callused fingers INFURIATED

[40Hz]

My fingers aren’t callused. But after decades of playing there is a layer of denser padding beneath my playing fingertips that causes me a lot of aggravation when using - or trying to use - touchscreens. So I’m forced to bend my second joint 90 degrees and use the very tip of my finger right before the fingernail on touchscreens. My friends call it my “woodpecker” or “telegraph” technique.

 

[drumvsbass]

speech to text my friend.

 

[Larryfales]

This is off topic but related, does anybody else have grooves worn into their calluses?

 

[fhm555]

I’ve got nice thick calluses on my four left fingers and the plucking fingers on my right hand. I use an Otterbox Defender and find after a while the screen cover gets worn and hazy from use and it gets harder to type. When that happens i break open the case, wash it really well, then use some plexi polish on the screen cover and i’m back in business.

 

[Leigh Semmens]

Never been an issue with me, maybe I'm just tough. Give it a few more years..........

 

[jeff62]

Y’all just need to use a pick to clear up your callous problems.

 

[VtBassPlayer63]

[sorry if this is the wrong place in TB to have put this post]


It’s probably the exact right time and place to ask:

-What experience do you have with trying to get a touch screen to respond to callused fingers?

-Do you have any personal methods of eliminating any difficulty ?


I always used to think it was a peculiarity and a thing that bass players had to put up with. It gets tiring though. I have only used iphones since 2017, but had a computer to type on. In the last 2 years I’ve not had a computer and rely on my fffffphone to type. It’s a chore.
I am predominantly left handed but only play bass right hand style, Thus ALL my left hand digits apart from “3” and thumb are trouble.

Change to right hand for phone?

i see people using their thumbs with incredible speed, is this a more standard way?

Swings, I have the exact problem. I'm a thumb-texter. It's just a by-product of what we do!

 

[HolmeBass]

Thumbs are the way to go. How do you hold your phone and use your fingers at the same time? Has to be thumbs.

 

[Plectrum72]

However, often times these gloves are useless garbage. My fingers work fine on touch screens (usually), but I've had a few pairs of gloves that are claimed to work on touch screens, but do not work, or work inconsistently. It makes me reluctant to replace my old car, since all the new cars have touchscreens.

You left out the bit where I addressed hydration level of your skin, but got it. Your point was about gloves. In regards to that all I can say is you get what you pay for. If you want your hands to be warm and not have to remove your gloves to deal with touch screens, then get the good stuff or wait until you're in a warmer environment so glove removal isn't an issue.

 

[Swings]

?

Of course.

 

[superheavyfunk]

This thread makes me wonder how some ppl survived T9 text input

 

[B-Mac]

Of course.

?

Absolutely no issues.

Can't believe this is even a thing?

Maybe time to see a doctor?

I only have calluses on the finger tips of my fretting hand anyway.

 

[scott sinner]

Never consciously noticed this, but I am noticing now I bend my fingers to the non callused parts.