It's important to build calluses on your fingers.

 

This hard skin makes it easier to press down the strings. And without it things get really painful.

 

The key to building up healthy calluses is little and often with your practice.

 

When you're a beginner it's better to do 10 minutes 4 times a day than a 40 minute slog.

 

That squishy skin on your fingers can handle 10 minutes but it's likely to hurt like crazy if you do marathon sessions.

 

As we're acoustic guitarists we're already much more macho with our fingertips than electric players. Let me explain...

 

Acoustic strings are thicker and require more pressure to press down.

 

If you've got calluses then take care of them. 

 

Keep your fingernails trimmed.

 

Don't pick of the skin. As gross as it sounds the skin will fall off by itself.

 

Don't play guitar after taking a bath or shower. The hot water will soften your finger tips and the strings will cut in again.

 

Take care of those digits. They're the only ones you're gonna get.