About the Fingers

The first thing a new guitarist notices is that the tips of the left-hand fingers can feel sore after a stretch of playing. This is particularly true if you’re playing a steel-strung guitar, but is noticeable even with nylon strings.

Just as a trumpeter must develop his “chops,” the guitarist will develop calluses. It may take several weeks—or even months—for these to develop. And, if you take a break from practicing, you may lose the calluses you’ve built up.