Video Question: Callouses on Fingers

March 10th, 2008 - Cbalowski asks, "I find that my hand strength is OK but my my fingertips are too soft (I'm a computer professional). Is there a way to create callouses while I am not playing my guitar?" Return to Video Q&A Listing


Length: 1.49 | Instructor: Brad Henecke Another benefit of being a member of JamPlay is the video response section. Our expert staff fields questions from our members and provides video responses each week.

Other Video Responses:

F#m7 Problems - February 21st, 2008 (3 minutes, 26 seconds)

JZcode says, "To any of the Rock Instructors, I'm trying to learn a David Gilmour song and having trouble with this chord. The way they show it in the tab book is #1 string open, #2&3 string fretted at 2nd fret, #4&5 string fretted at the 4th fret and thumb on the 6th string, 3rd fret. This chords alternate about 6 times between the Gmaj7, the 1 thru 4 string version starting on the 1st string 2nd fret. Could you give me some idea on how to do this or the best alternate to go with. I have looked at the F#m barre chord at the 2nd fret that is almost the same chord except the #1 string is barred not open. The other thing I have been working on is barring the #2 and 3 string leaving the #1 open. It's not easy and it leaves the #6 string open. Since most of us don't have Eric Clapton size hands, how would you guys approach this type of problem." View Response

Relaxing Left Hand - August 13th, 2007 (0 minutes, 21 seconds)

Crosscut619 Says "I have been a JamPlay member for about 4 days now. I get everything that Steve is telling me about positioning my fingers in my left hand. My only problem is while I'm practicing chords, after a while, my left hand gets stiff. I always have to stop and shake my hand a lot. I don't know how to relax my fingers while playing, because when I do, the sound messes up. Any thoughts?" View Response

Pentatonic Scale Help - March 17th, 2008 (6 minutes, 25 seconds)

Rsherman1980 says, "Hey Brad, Great videos! Is the a minor pentatonic scale the only 5 position scale? Can you play minor pentatonic in different keys? If so do they follow the same pattern?" View Response

Rock-a-Billy - February 5th, 2008 (3 minutes, 25 seconds)

Thunderwunder1 says, "I love that early 56 - 58 raw 'dangerous' Rock-a-Billy guitar sound ...I especially like that 'double stop' and 'off key' type playing ala Cliff Gallup solos (Gene Vincent & the Blue Caps). What should I know how to play that would give me a good solid foundation in this kind of music. I'm looking for a list of 'must have's' (...and must learn and master) I've been playing for just over a year and have dabbled in different kinds of music BUT! Rock-a-Billy just blows the doors off for me and am aching for info on how to get REAL good at this stuff. Maybe there's some lessons here that I haven't discovered yet as I'm brand new here. What I've seen so far is great and extremely useful I'm sure ... I'm just not sure how to connect it to Rock-a-Billy tho' Would love to see a bunch of videos that spill the secrets of getting that crazy Rock-a-Billy sound. Trippin' on the back-beat!" View Response

Guitar Choices - February 12th, 2008 (2 minutes, 11 seconds)

Ric2play asks, "I am looking for a good quality low cost acoustic. Any suggestions?" View Response