Help with Bar Chords for Guitar?

Question

I have trouble with bar chords on my acoustic guitar. I can bar the 6 strings with my index finger at first OK but after doing a few bar chords the strings put dents in my finger flesh between knuckle and first joint, and the 2nd and 3rd strings then become muted and not clear because the dents in my finger cause the string to sit in there and not be held down.. Is there a way to toughen up the skin on my finger so I can keep the strings down. I think this is the only solution the action is fine its already lowered.

Answer 1

Number 1: You play the guitar so often that it toughen up your skin. This is the hard way.

Number 2: Already suggested by the other guys here: lower the action of the strings.

Number 3: Use lighter gauge strings.

Number 4: Change your playing style a bit. Play it like Jimi Hendrix. Use your thumb to hold the 6th or the 5th string.

Answer 2

ive had the same problem when i first started.
the only way to fix this issue is to practice and practice;until your fingers get tough enough to play the chords.
now they will hurt and sometimes bleed this is the first indication . now there is nothing wrong with your fingers;so dont stop for any length of time otherwise you will have to staRT ALL OVER AND YOU WILL LENGTHEN THE TIME FOR YOUR FINGERS TO GET USED TO THE STRINGS.
the more you practice the better tou will become.
if you practice for 30 min each day and within 2 weeks you will see a lot of improvement.
so do not get discouraged if you cannot play the chords right away.
remember rome wasnt built in a day.
and good luck with the guitar!!!

Answer 3

How about the neck action (up by the head)? You could always file that down.

There are also acoustics available with a thinner neck so if you have the money, that may be an option.

Otherwise, you may have to wait until your hand calluses up.