: Is it normal for beginner guitarist to break strings often? I'm playing an acoustic for 4-5 months now and i've broken 3 strings in the process.. Is this normal or should i be a lot more careful with strings?

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I'd second ggcg, although some variables, as mentioned which are unknown, if you tune the guitar over the standard EADGBe, when new to tuning, then that can cause some wear on the strings. I know when I started out I'd almost break one per 1-2 weeks.

Another thing, and I don't know if this actually plays a role because I just do it on new strings to avoid having to tune new strings after 5 minutes of playing, is stretching them (like A LOT) by bending the s*** out of them as I'm tuning new strings (while you're approaching the desired tones) so to get to the point, I don't know if that stretching contributes to better resistance to stress but if it does, something to try.

Last factor, sometimes beginners go from one extreme to the other: attacking the strings too softly or too hard. Because picking them too hard can also make them break easier.

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Too many variables to really know what's going on.

But here are a few things that could cause chronic string breaking.

Frets are not dressed properly, too square with sharp edges.
Bridge or nut grooves not filed smooth.
Defective or inferior strings.
Guitarist way too strong (sarcasm alert).

It is not likely that your playing is the cause. I've been playing for 40+ years on gauge 11 strings and bend up a 4th and they don't break. When I purchased my Gibson 335 fresh off the rack I broke the high e string every time I bent it at the 15th fret. This was the fret being too sharp. A proper dressing and it never happened again. The guitar is more likely to hurt your fingers if you over play than the other way around.

Is your guitar new? If so it is likely that it needs a professional set-up with the frets, nut and bridge groves files a little.

EDIT: Maybe option #4 is not that crazy. Here are some issues that a true new comer can experience. If you have an electric solid body guitar and you're playing without an amp it is possible that you are over compensating by hitting the strings very hard in an attempt to hear something. You need to get your hands on a small amp with a head phone jack. If you are playing a nylon string acoustic with a pick that could damage the higher unwound strings.

This is why I said that there are too many unknowns. I charge the author of the question with the task of updating the question to have more information. Please provide: Electric vs acoustic vs classical, using amp or no, gauge strings, make and model of guitar if known, type of pick used, if you are taking lessons or learning from Youtube, etc.

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When I have a problem with strings breaking on a particular guitar, I look to see if there's a sharp spot or hard bend at the point of contact where the string break occurred and I notice if it breaks in the same place every time. Doing that has always led me to find the reason for string breaks. I've never had a Low E string break as you stated in your comment, that just baffles me.