Are My Hands Too Small

[Loraine]

Hi @tern Welcome to the TAC community!

I wouldn’t say your hands are too small. There are children that can play very difficult and intricate chords, and they have very small hands. I think the question that should be asked is whether the neck of your guitar may be too large. Necks come in different lengths, dimensions and shapes. You may want to consider a smaller parlor size guitar that would be more ideal for smaller hands.

I do want to say that I don’t have the largest hands either, and some of the practice lessons utilize chords that my hands just won’t stretch too. Although, the stretch is getting better through continued playing and practicing. A trick is to use a capo and place it on the 5th or 7th fret and practice with the smaller frets that are found up the neck. It is much easier to practice different chords, as well as doing scales and such. As you are able to play at the higher frets, start moving your capo back on the neck and playing at the 5, then the 3, and then open with no capo. Your fingers will become more flexible as you play.

[Seven]

Super helpful for me to hear as well! Thank you. I have a 1/4 size guitar, does this change the way I would learn here?

[Loraine]

You mean 3/4 size @tern ? It shouldn’t change the way you learn. You probably won’t be able to play the really high frets, but that’s okay.

[tern]

Loraine, this is most kind and helpful. Thank you very much!

[Booker]

Tern,

Ditto all of Loraine’s tips! (capo is a good one)……My hands are small and reaching can be tough. I agree with the parlor size guitar. They are also known ’00’ or double 0….depending on the make and model.

If I may suggest a classical student guitar as well. The classical guitar is a lot easier on your fingers (mine too!). The student classical guitar is 3/4 of a full-size model. I would definitely try one out at a guitar dealer in person.

Seven,

Did you mean to say 3/4 size guitar? Your guitar should be fine for all the courses here.

…dust off those rusty strings just one more time…. 🙂

[Seven]

Thank you! I am in Mexico so I think things are said differently but… yes, this is what I mean. Is it the same learning process the same or is there something I need to be aware of? Gracias

[Loraine]

@Seven All the lessons and how you learn are the same regardless I’d the size of the guitar. The only difference might be on those occasions where Tony goes past the 12th fret. Those are more difficult on smaller guitars (but not impossible).

[Seven]

Gracias

[Bud6333]

The other bit is that at the beginning all chords are going to be difficult to form. your hands have never stretched into these positions before. eventually your fingers and hands will get stretched out and be able to form the chords much more easily. be patient with yourself. There is a stretching class tony has up…. try going through that and using those before your practice. It may help get you there a little faster…. but really its just time and effort. Keep forming that G and if need be use the other hand to help you then switch to another chord and back … repeat often….don’t even need to play it … just while you’re watching tv etc… its just to stretch those hands out….

I imagine you will have trouble stretching to play 4 frets on the same string in some instances without picking up the first finger down as well…. this too is normal… its just getting your hands used to this new use…

• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by  Bud6333.

[tern]

Thank you very much. I have kept prating each day and I can make clean G and C cords now. The stretching suggestion is helpful; I will look at that. Thanks again.

[Stryder]

I’m new here and an snooping through the site….that info on here is so so helpful…thanks 😀

[Timbothirroul]

Check out Angus Young from AC DC. He has very small hands and adapted well I think! His choice of guitar made a difference for him. He has a few interviews where he talks about this.