1st Finger Scar
Hi Everyone,
Does anyone else have a scar any of their fingers on their left hand (especially the 1st finger) from practicing, and if so, do you know how to get rid of it? My fingertip has been very hard (with no fingerprint anymore) for quite a long time. However, when I would practice, I would get a black line from practicing across my first finger and sometimes the others. The line would fade after a couple hours. However, in the past month or so, the black line has become permanent and not faded. Does anybody what to do?
Replies (17)
How thick a callous do you have? I've had issues where the fingerboard will dye my callouses, esp. if I've just had the fingerboard planed/dressed and my hands are chapped/dry. Take a light pumice to it and see if it makes any difference. I generally cut mine (TMI, sorry) off every month or so, otherwise they crack and get icky and catch on my clothing/strings, etc.
you are pressing too hard.
Embrace it.
Most string players end up with callouses where the finger meets the string, especially those who play a lot. These callouses are useful for toughening up your fingers so that playing for a long time is usually less painful than having a fresh soft fingertip. Also the metal from the string often stains the callous, which can usually be washed off.
Chances are, though, you are pressing too hard, especially to end up with a black groove in the skin that won't go away. With violin, my teacher said you really only need to press hard enough to sound the note, and often that means you don't have to press all the way to the fingerboard. Getting this right means you can actually move about the fingerboard faster, but it does take a lot of conscious practice to become second nature. And slowly, your callous would lessen a little, because you don't need such a tough one to play.
Be sure the nut and bridge of your violin are not too high.
Also, consider using lower tension strings.
And don't push down with any but the "sounding" finger; the lower fingers can just rest on the string, it is counter productive to press them down.
Andy
Cellists not only have calluses on their fingers but one on the outside edge of the left thumb where it is used as a "capo" across one or two strings in high position playing; useful to a forensic pathologist in identifying a body as that of a cellist.
Amber,
I've wondered if it comes from the dye on my fingerboard. However, it's a perfect line that matches where the string meets my finger. I'm leaning towards too much finger pressure, but I've never pressed very hard with my left hand...
the strange thing is that there is never any pain.. I'm just really curious as to why I have the black line.
@M Bartlett - I subscribe to the thought that you press hard to sound the note, but then relax the hand. the initial impression is necessary to set the vibration, but once vibrating less pressure can still sound quite nice. Some people are pressing too hard and this also creates tension in the hand. Is the students hand cramping? too much tension. relax, breathe, have fun!
The black line on your finger is probably from the silver in the strings. Silver sulfide (the compound responsible for tarnish) is a black solid. How much your fingers turn black probably depends as much on your individual skin chemistry as it does on "pressing too hard" and such things. You should wash your hands well after practicing, and a *gentle* rub of your finger with a pumice or with Lava soap would probably help remove the black material as well as keep your callous at bay. But some callous on that spot is normal and desirable.
It's worth knowing that metallic silver (as on strings) is a very good anti-bacterial agent - one reason why those who could afford it had silverware on the dining table.
I concur about using less pressure (better for your whole system, too).
Try cleaning the fingerboard. If you have good ebony, it may be sloughing; if your fingerboard is painted/dyed, the acid from your hands may be reacting. If it's only the first finger, pressure is more likely the culprit, but cleanliness is always good.
Agree with Paul. Those black lines are caused by the metal from your strings. It can be the silver which the sweat on your fingertips might convert into silver sulfide - a black compound. It can also be from aluminum or other metal used in the string winding.
My wrist watch has a metal band; definitely not silver but likely an aluminum alloy with other metal compounds. My wrist stains all black when I sweat a lot and that has nothing to do with pressure. My fingers also get the black lines more with longer playing or when I sweat more ( as in when performing). Usually washes off after a few hand washings.
Hendrick,
My left hand tends to sweat while I practice/perform... this may be the diagnosis! I've also discovered after reading this that if I lightly scrub the black line after practicing, it will fade until there just a faint outline where the line used to be. Note to self, dry off sweat while practicing!
@Hedrick, I agree that silver is not the only metal that can lead to a black mark on one's finger.
@John, the abuse of labor including child labor is not limited to Bolivian silver mines. There are very few things for which the western consumer pays the full true cost. Al Gore was right about that.
To solve the child labor problem, use gut strings without windings!
>It's worth knowing that metallic silver (as on strings) is a very good anti-bacterial agent - one reason why those who could afford it had silverware on the dining table.
Dang, the things I learn here at V.com! Never knew this.
I agree with others on the "maybe too much" finger pressure and the black coloration coming from the strings. Have had this issue, although my callous has never gotten big or "scar"-like. But it sounds like you're playing/performing at a pretty high level, so I won't make a fool of myself and try to offer any further wisdom. I am, however, very much enjoying reading others' comments here. (And learning about silverware.)
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September 29, 2012 at 12:38 AM · Play a western guitar! after a few hours of that you will have no feeling in any finger... and probably no fingerprints either.
There is really not much you can do about this, but when it hurts, you have to think about your technique. Maybe you press too much with the first finger?!