this post was submitted on 17 Oct 2023
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Small Hand Advice (self.guitars)
submitted 1 year ago by rei to c/guitars
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Hello, I am new to guitar (3 weeks) and I am practicing every day (a bit too much some days which could be exacerbating) and I have pretty small hands. I think my middle finger measures about 3 inches.

I played a lot over the past few days and my left hand (fretting hand in my case) is sore not in a good way I don't think. I kind of have to contort my hand if I am up near the head stock fretting 1 and 4.

I am not discouraged. It seems like all youtube videos just say don't give up with small hands, not exactly helpful. I'm plenty motivated and want to keep going but I don't want to injure myself.

So all that to say any advice on being able to fret well by the headstock with small hands? I also think my wrist is not in a healthy position but I can't reach my fingers far enough apart without doing some hand yoga.

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[–] TheInsane42 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I'm having the same issue, kinda, when playing bass. The fingers are long enough, but at 50+ the joints aren't that flexible anymore. I found the tips from bassbuzz on youtube useful, especialy on the fretting techniques.

Biggest improvements here were a correct setup of the bass (still need to setup the frankenfender), correct position of the bass/guitar and correct position of the hand/fingers while fretting. Some microshifting helps me a lot, as the pinky is my main challenge. (Not strong enough for pushing down the snares)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

If you need inspiration to push through dexterity shortcomings on bass just watch Tal Wilkenfeld and try to adopt some of her techniques. She's got small hands and plays unbelievably well. She does a lot of sliding to avoid stretches.

[–] TheInsane42 1 points 1 year ago

Thanks, that is a good tip. She shifts a lot and hold her thumb not in the middle of the neck, but more at the bottom to get the reach. That helps a lot. (was trying the latter myself, with limited success, need more practice)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Here is an alternative Piped link(s):

https://www.piped.video/watch?v=wdX6ly6ftUM&t=3s

Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.

I'm open-source; check me out at GitHub.

[–] rei 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Alright, I'll checkout bass buzz, do you remember the title of any specific videos you found helpful. I'll definitely check out about microshifting! thank you!

[–] rei 1 points 1 year ago

(forgot to add, I did have the guitar set up by my local luthier)