Blister on right hand finger

[richh]

I've been learning for a while, but have recently had more time to practise, and now have a blister on my right hand index finger from plucking / activating the string (sorry, not sure of the correct terminology)!

 

I don't want to stop playing, if anything, I'd like to step it up as I have more free time over the next couple of weeks.

 

Any suggestions please?  Lay off, continue and ignore?  Or even use another finger / fingers - currently just using right hand index finger.

 

Thanks wise ones, I hope there are some ideas?

[Owen]

When I blister, I put a couple of drops of superglue (liquid, not gel) on a piece of paper, rub the blister and the areas around it in it and carry on playing. I am not joking. 

[petebassist]

No need to lay off. I'd wrap decorators' masking tape round my finger, just enough to protect it but allowing the feel of the string to come through. I've used this on both hands occasionally when necessary. 

Also you might want to play sometimes with two fingers, i.e. change the angle of your fingers to be at a diagonal to the strings, might give your index finger a rest. 

[JapanAxe]

I play guitar in a rockabilly band where the double bass player wraps sticking plaster around each of his plucking fingers before playing. I don’t play double bass so I’ll leave it to others to comment on the pros and cons of this approach!

[NickA]

Taped fingers changes the sound, but that's not an issue for practicing.

 

I used to get blisters, but no longer do and I don't think my right hand is significantly more calloused than it was.  Some things I've learned over 30 odd years:

 

Let the amp take the strain, you don't need to pluck that hard.

 

Share the load, use index and middle finger. I used to use just my middle finger but now use both, some sequences of notes fall easier if you alternate between fingers.

 

Play little and often if you can, building up to those three hour gigs!

 

Pluck diagonally across the strings, it sounds better and spreads the load across more skin.

 

Some people recommend wiping your finger down the side of your nose to apply a little natural lubricant. Sounds a bit gross, but works actually.

 

Keep playing!

[Rosie C]

It's a long time since I've had blisters, but electrician's tape was my usual remedy. I think Mark King did similar, if so I'm in good company!