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 (6 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)

[–] 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)

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