Reddit reviews D’Addario Varigrip Hand Exerciser–Improve Dexterity and Strength in Fingers, Hands, Forearms- Adjust Tension Per Finger– Simulated Strings Help Develop Calluses- Comfortable Conditioning

I'm lucky enough to keep my guitar in my office so I get about 45 minutes of practice each day on my lunch break.

There's a great app called Functional Ear Trainer that is really helpful for training your ear to better identify intervals. I highly recommend it.

You could try one of those finger exercisers (like this one). I'm not certain how well they actually work, but I've seen a decent amount of people who like them.

It's already been said, but you can never go wrong with listening to music. Try exploring bands and genres you don't normally listen to.

Lots of other ideas here.

Rocksmith 2014 on the PC with CLDC.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLImrzCNnL5PkSfa1gUpsGzSMELR31yW9h

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0793563836/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OCGGEM/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


(at least that is how I'm doing it...)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OCGGEM/?tag=051-20

I use this one. I haven't used the "string" part too much, but I love the variable tension on each finger. It's made playing guitar a bit easier since I can single out my pinky more.

I would write down ur different modes and scales and then buy the D’addario hand exerciser to improve your hand strength and use ur fingers the same way you would with ur scales, so it will help u memorize all them.

Here’s an Amazon link to the product: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001OCGGEM/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1527557035&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=guitar+finger+strengthener&dpPl=1&dpID=31TKcbhXr5L&ref=plSrch

I don't really read music either. One of my goals but it hasn't been very important, I pick up things by ear fairly well.

First and foremost, get the best used guitar you can afford, preferably from a music store that knows what they're doing. Do not get a new cheap guitar. This is because cheap guitars have crappy action. The "action" is the space between the strings and fretboard. Quality instruments can be made to have very low action, which is easier on the fingers, while cheap instruments tend to warp and thus make it harder to press down on the strings. Also cheap instruments tend to go out of tune easier.

Next learn to play your favorite yet easy to play songs. You're more likely to keep up with it if you love the music you're playing. Get the chord books or tablature books for your favorite bands. There are a lot of "how to play this song" videos on YouTube.

Prepare for your fingers to hurt and bleed. This is normal. You'll build callouses eventually. Do warmups. Get a finger gripper like this to help strengthen your fingers.

If you get an electric guitar, don't worry about the whammy bar/tremolo/etc. Though a lot of electric guitars have them by default, the cheaper ones will knock your guitar out of tune if you don't know how it all works. Floyd Rose tremolos work fairly well but are a bitch to change strings. Beginners don't need them anyway.

Regardless of type, pick it up and play it with a strap or sit down with it. If it hits your arm in a funny spot, choose a different one.

Be careful of having your belt buckle exposed when you try guitars. They'll scratch the back of the guitar.

I used to use a gripmaster back in my climbing days, but now prefer this
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-Varigrip-Adjustable-Exerciser/dp/B001OCGGEM/

I find the adjust-ability of it to be very helpful.
Is it the same motion as playing guitar? No, but finger strength and endurance is still useful to you. I often use it with one hand while reading from my kindle with the other. Swap hands every 5 mins or so.

In terms of strength and flexibility - you have several options:

- use certain hand exercisers like this ( https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-Varigrip-Adjustable-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B001OCGGEM ) or smth similar, it really helps to get a grip.

- play and play rhythm guitar songs over and over, and over time it will become easier

- try to learn chord based songs on acoustic guitar, with hard and nasty chords (after acoustic switching to electric guitar is live going to Bahamas for vacation)

For me a good inspiration is Django Reinhardt ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQhTpgicdx4 ), he only had two fingers working properly due to fire accident, and still he had became a well-known guitarist in blues / jazz scene. When i fail in guitar i take inspiration from his courage and continue trying.

Here is the one I have. Has a callous builder/maintainer too:
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-Varigrip-Adjustable-Exerciser/dp/B001OCGGEM/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1421865333&sr=8-6&keywords=finger+strength

No song recommendations, persay, but I can't recommend getting a hand exerciser enough. I got one two weeks ago and have been using it absentmindedly at my work desk, or as a way to actively fidget during meetings. I have already noticed a HUGE improvement in the dexterity of my pinky finger (and others of course).

Here's the one I got. Very affordable, and you can adjust the resistance, as well as build calluses (using the string molds under the rubber grip)

https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-Varigrip-Adjustable-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B001OCGGEM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492652330&sr=8-1&keywords=daddario+finger+exerciser

This might help
I broke my right arm just below the shoulder and of course I'm right handed and have spasticity on that side. This definitely helped strengthen it and you could work on doing it in motions to a metronome or a song.

The best way would probably be just to use the heavier switches until your fingers naturally get stronger. If you really want to build finger strength, they sell finger strength trainers for guitarists like this.

I thought I read saxophonist in a different comment. Sorry about that! Regardless this is the sort of thing I'm talking about!

Have fun!

Buy in the UK

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-Varigrip-Adjustable-Exerciser/dp/B001OCGGEM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375732909&sr=8-1&keywords=varigrip

Normally I'd say practicing those scales is the best finger exercise that money can buy, but if you're having trouble playing the notes cleanly with the 4th finger, it kinda defeats the purpose.

Your case might be the rare time I'd recommend one of those grip training devices.

Guitar Gripper

Interesting. Personally, I don't have a problem with any regular bends on my 17w G string (except on frets 1, 2, and 3) and I play on a 28.6" neck, so the tension is higher. I just went to my guitar and tried just to double check that I wasn't talking out of my ass. If you really want to get into playing with a wound third string, perhaps pick up a finger strengthener like this. If not, then don't sweat it

Shredneck, possibly may work for you.

Maybe one of these as well: www.amazon.com/DAddario-Varigrip-Adjustable-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B001OCGGEM - D'Addario Varigrip Adjustable Hand Exerciser

https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-Varigrip-Adjustable-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B001OCGGEM

D'Addario Varigrip Adjustable Hand Exerciser https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OCGGEM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_npQszb34KPQ3R

I have adjustable clutch and brake levers. Not sure about the latter though.

I used to play bass, maybe that's why. Get one of these into your workout procedure...

https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-Varigrip-Adjustable-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B001OCGGEM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494037776&sr=8-1&keywords=guitar+strength+trainer

Used to use something like this all the time.

It takes awhile and takes a lot of practice to build your fingers and arms. Your teacher is probably not concerned at the moment, because you are still learning your strings and notes. As the songs become more complicated and you are moving across the strings more, it will pointed out more.

As for the tiredness, I'd try a handgrip exerciser.

As everybody has said so far — practice will resolve this. It took me a couple months to get G & E chords down ever time.

Also, get a finger specific hand exerciser to build up you’re grip. I use this one:

D'Addario Varigrip Adjustable Hand Exerciser https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OCGGEM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rEn0AbWZ69SVJ

Be prepared for sore fingers, peeling and possibly blisters. I also recommend getting a D'Addario finger exerciser (primarily for your fretting hand). When I got one, within a week I noticed my fretting skills on my ring finger and pinky vastly improved.

I concur with everyone else as far as learning a couple core songs and get into that groove. After some time, you will start hitting the pocket on them.

Strongly recommend getting Rocksmith 2014 as well. It really helps quite a bit for beginners. You can get it for gaming consoles and PC but the PC handles the audio much better without the issues of lag like the console do.

Here is a the link for the finger exerciser.
https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-Varigrip-Adjustable-Hand-Exerciser/dp/B001OCGGEM

Tomorrow is my birthday so that is what I am looking forward to most! I will be 23 years old! I also have a show on Friday with my new band which is both exciting and a little nervous! It is only a house acoustic show but it is with a bunch of people who have connections in the scene and if I perform well I might get offered bigger and bigger gigs! :)

This could help me strengthen my hands when I am not playing guitar.


oh and Catdog!

I bought one of these when I started playing guitar and it helped a lot.

D'Addario Varigrip Hand Exerciser-Improve Dexterity and Strength in Fingers, Hands, Forearms- Adjust Tension Per Finger- Simulated Strings Help Develop Calluses- Comfortable Conditioning https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OCGGEM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_7UhtDbN2GB11E

https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-Exerciser-Improve-Dexterity-Comfortable-Conditioning/dp/B001OCGGEM

You can use this thing if you're at work or away from your bass and can't practice. But practice is best.