Do I have poorly formed guitar calluses?

Question

I have only been playing for a month, but it has already stopped hurting when I play. Only the dented parts of my fingers feel hard. Everything around it (and even under) feels soft. *Is the ENTIRE tip of my finger supposed to be hard?*

Here are two photos of MY calluses: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29296898@N03/2738022421/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29296898@N03/2738860796/in/photostream/

I'm thinking that they may be poorly formed because I found pictures of guitar calluses online.

Are my calluses supposed to look smooth like this:
http://bp1.blogger.com/_uZt0NnE7Hr0/ReAv6V3GOXI/AAAAAAAAARE/PwE4uLfLxQI/s1600-h/calluses.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2277/2214231472_ab950af30f.jpg?v=0

http://photos18.flickr.com/23964786_208b1bfd97_m.jpg

If so, then what should I do to develop fix my guitar calluses?

Thanks

Answer 1

There is no such thing as 'perfect callouses, as long as your fingers don't hurt any more then it's fine. Everyone plays slightly differently so the hard bits on your fingertips form to your style.

Good luck and stop worrying. Keep up the good work.

I did notice, however from the picture, that you are not using your little finger very much. Get it involved. It seems left out. Poor little finger is missing out on the great music you are playing

Answer 2

One of the problems with beginers is that they tend to push down the string to hard. Your calluses look ok but try this excersize out and see if it doesn't help. What I want you to do is put your finger on the 6th string, 1st fret. Then I want you to push down on it and at the same time play the note. I want you to gradually increase pressure with your left hand until you can hear the note clearly. I garanty you that when you do this to all of the strings that you are pushing down way to hard. Its a common problem. Hope this helps. Need more advice hit me up. I have been playing guitar for 11 years now. : )

Answer 3

You're just fine. Don't worry about it. Everyone's calluses form differently but if you're not in pain then you're doing great. Keep practicing!

Answer 4

It's okay. Everyone's callouses will look different. The end of my fingers are torn up and look really nasty. But, it doesn't hurt to play. Everyone is different, so you're fine. Happy playing!