Is this normal?

Yes and no. A bit gross, huh?

Lines on the fingertips and / or calluses are normal for guitar players. It's one of the things that makes playing guitar easier as a hard layer of skin forms at the fingertips. It's one of the things that makes it harder in the beginning because it hurts...a little. Steel strings are tougher on tiny, soft hands but you will develop a thick skin (literally) more quickly than if using a nylon-strung guitar. The layers of skin fall away at a regular rate, you'll find you're always snagging your clothes (or worse still, other people's!) and you will barely have fingerprints anymore! That's all normal stuff :)

In this picture it's arguable that too much pressure is being exerted. The deep grooves should fade quickly enough when you're not in touch with the fretboard.

I still smile when new clients ask about this and I remember well going through the (low) pain threshold for the sake of being able to 'Rock out'! Stick with the programme and use some common sense if you are experiencing genuine pain. Just remember that strength and conditioning is an essential part of asking your fingers to make all those unusual shapes.

Until later

Shane

#guitarlessonsblessington