If you’ve ever been told that small hands prevent you from playing the guitar, this post is for you! Learn about the many ways in which a person with smaller hands can play the guitar and be an excellent guitarist.
To better understand the question of can small hands play guitar, let us try to answer questions frequently asked about this subject. But before that, first, let me tell you a little about myself.
I was born with small hands. My fingers are shorter, skinnier and my hand’s palm is smaller than an average person’s hand. In other words, I have been a guitarist with small hands all my life.
For a long time, I believed it was too late to learn guitar because my fingers were too short to bend the strings correctly and reach the frets on the guitar. I was wrong! I didn’t quite know how to play, but I learned it anyway.
As time went on, I discovered that having small hands could be an advantage. Since most guitar players start off with a full-size guitar, it is quite natural for them to feel cramped after playing for some time.
However, this is never an issue since my hands used to be cramped up from the beginning.
So, let’s try to answer the questions asked a lot about small hands and playing the guitar!
Can Small Hands Play Guitar?
Yes, absolutely! As I’ve already mentioned above, having small hands will not prevent you from playing the guitar.
It would help if you indeed learned how to play the guitar from scratch, but your smaller hands won’t be a problem at all.
As long as your fingers are long enough, all you have to do is practice until your fingers can reach the strings and lay them down correctly.
Does Hand Size affect guitar playing?
To understand the answer to this question, we first need to define what hand size really is. Hand size does not refer to the length and width of your hands.
It doesn’t refer to how many fingers you have or how big those fingers are either.
What it refers to is the relative length of your fingers in relation to each other. For instance, if your middle finger is relatively longer than your index finger, you have long index fingers and squat middle fingers.
If you have long index fingers but short middle fingers, you are said to have long middle fingers and squat index fingers.
This comparison is very important because it determines how much length your hand will take up when playing the guitar. If you have a long index and tiny middle fingers, your hands will always be cramped up when playing the guitar.
Your forearms will be fully extended as well as your wrists. If you have short index fingers and long middle fingers, you may find your fingers hitting the frets when you stretch out to reach the higher notes on the guitar.
In short, hand size is essential in determining how much freedom of movement and comfort a guitarist has while playing the instrument.
So does hand size affect your ability to play? It does to an extent but not as much as many people think it does. What it boils down to is whether or not you can play with ease and comfort.
If you’re comfortable, you will also be able to play with more expression and feel.
Small hands don’t prevent you from playing guitar, but they do affect how comfortable and expressive you’re likely to be when playing the instrument.
Do You Need Big Hands To Play Guitar?
This is a tricky question to answer because it needs a lot of clarification. The truth is that you don’t need big hands to play the guitar but it is a bonus to have long fingers. Why?
While it is true that long fingers give you an advantage by giving you more room to play the instrument with ease, some people will argue that having long fingers also makes it harder for you to play the guitar.
That’s because, with bigger hands, your fingers have to stretch further apart when playing the strings and frets. This requires more tension in your hands and can lead to pain or cramping after a while.
Can I Play Guitar With Short Fat Fingers?
Even if you have short fat fingers, you can still play the guitar but there is no doubt that it will be harder for you. Since your fingers are short and fat, you will not be able to reach as far on the fretboard as a person with longer, skinnier fingers.
If you’re really stuck with short fat fingers, all you need to do is develop a more laid back playing style. For instance, playing in a lower position on the guitar means that your hands will be less strained when playing it.
This will also be beneficial because it will help you find a more comfortable playing position.
What is the best guitar for small hands?
The best guitar for small hands is the one that you will be most comfortable playing. The same principle applies when choosing a guitar for any other purpose as well. If it feels right, go for it!
I’m trying to say here that you shouldn’t choose a guitar just because it fits your physical needs. Choose the guitar that you will be able to play better, not just because it’s the best thing for your hands.
For me, my favourite is the ESP LTD EC-256 Electric Guitar.
The ESP LTD EC-256 Electric Guitar combines a classic mahogany construction and set-neck design for maximum shreddability. The neck is carved out of 3pc mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard for that extra feel.
The Black finish is truly versatile and looks great in any setting. The 24.75″ scale length means it’s ideal for smaller hands, and the mahogany body means it has a warm vintage tone.
What Size of Guitar is Good For my Small Hand?
There are a few things that you should consider when choosing a guitar to use for small hands.
First of all, try to find one with a baritone scale length (25.5″) or less because this will allow you more room on the fretboard. The same thing goes if you’re playing rock or other strummed music.
Do I Need A Guitar with a Thin Neck for My Small Hands?
If you have small hands, there is a good chance that you will have trouble with a standard-sized neck that has a lot more width than necessary. If this is the case for you, consider getting a guitar with a thinner neck to improve your playing significantly.
Again, it all depends on what style of music you will be playing the most and how much room you need to play the guitar comfortably.
How Can I Avoid Hand Cramping?
Avoiding cramping is not very difficult once you get the hang of it. However, it would be best if you found a way to prevent this from happening in the first place. Here are a few things that will help you deal with hand cramping:
Playing the guitar for long periods (even if it’s not too much, remember that your muscles get tired after a certain amount of time).
Using different hand positioning to stretch out your wrists to prevent cramping. You can also play on the top or front part of the body to stretch out your palms.
Playing in a standing position with your hands on top of the body will help stretch out the fingers and make it overall easier to play.
Always take the time to stretch out your hands before playing. This will allow your fingers to relax, and you will be able to play with more grace and ease. The best thing about stretching out your hands is that it releases tension in your forearms, which can also help keep them healthy. You could also use a good quality massage cream or oil after you play to ease any pain and strain in your hands.
How To Stretch Your Small Fingers When Playing The Guitar?
When it comes to playing the guitar, the fingers are probably your biggest asset. They are what makes you the musician you are and help you get the sound of your favourite songs out of your guitar. But if they’re not flexible, it could become a significant issue when playing the guitar comfortably. Luckily, there are a few ways to stretch out your small fingertips when playing the guitar easily.
First off, when you’re playing your guitar, try to avoid bending your fingers too much. Over time, you’ll notice that the joint between your thumb and middle finger will naturally become stiffer, and it is likely to feel uncomfortable when it starts to ache.
A simple way to loosen this up is by playing with your thumb in a relaxed position while using your index or middle finger for the majority of the fretwork. This will reduce the stiffness between your fingers and keep your hands nice and fit.
Flexible Thumb Tie
When you feel your thumb becomes stiff, you can apply a thin strip of duct tape to the joint. This will allow your thumb to move much more freely, which helps do things such as alternate picking. It also changes the way your hand feels when using other techniques such as hammer-ons and pull-offs.
How Do You Hold a Guitar With Small Hands?
Holding a guitar with small hands might not be as much of an issue as you think. Most people who play the guitar nowadays were born with smaller hands too. So they have long enough fingers to play the instrument comfortably. But there is one important thing to remember when learning how to hold the instrument properly.
You need enough elbow room to stretch out your entire arm and use it in a way that will be comfortable for you.
The best way to establish the best position for your hands is to sit down, holding both the pick and the guitar in your lap. From here, you’ll have a chance to adjust your position until you find your comfort zone. As long as you can keep the guitar and pick within easy reach, and stretch out your elbow easily, then you’re ready to go.
Should I Go For a Mini Guitar or Standard sized guitar If I have Small Hands?
The answer to this question is that you should go for a standard size guitar but with a shorter scale. This will allow you to play with ease and comfort. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something very small, I would advise you to try out a miniature guitar with a scale length of around 13.7″.
Are Les Pauls Good For Small Hands?
The Les Paul is one of the most iconic guitars in the world. It is also incredibly comfortable for smaller hands. The reason behind this is that Les Pauls have a wide neck profile and a shorter scale length. These two factors combine to make it much easier to play than other similar designs, such as the Fender Stratocaster.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is possible to play the guitar with small hands. So don’t give up on your dream just because your hands are not huge. However, if your hand size is below average, you should pay special attention to how you play the guitar. You should also make sure that you take good care of your hands by warming them up before playing and using a good quality hand cream after you’re done playing.
