Ne-Yo has a newfound respect for guitar-playing rockers - because he attempted to master the instrument and failed.

The singer/songwriter was determined to learn to play the guitar, but gave up after realising the damage the strings did to his hands.

He says, "I tried to learn (the guitar) for two weeks and gave it up. You get calluses and cramps and bleeding fingers.

"You see guys strum and think, 'Wow, that is cool.' They don't tell you it hurts."

And he insists the realisation has made him appreciate the music of rock bands: "I'm a huge Coldplay fan. Then, via them, Radiohead, Muse, now Kings of Leon. This music is an inspiration."