Introduction
“I have small hands. Can I still learn to play guitar?” This question echoes through the minds of aspiring guitarists, their fingers hovering over the frets, wondering if their tiny hands will hinder their musical dreams. Fear not! In this blog, we’ll unravel the myth that small hands are a barrier to guitar mastery. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, let’s explore how you can conquer the fretboard, one chord at a time.
1. Embrace Guitar Diversity
Variety is the spice of life, and the same holds true for guitars. If your current instrument feels like a giant in your grasp, consider exploring alternative sizes. Here are some options:
Small Body Guitars: These instruments offer a more compact frame, making them ideal for petite hands. Look for parlor guitars, mini acoustics, or travel-sized instruments.
Travel Guitars: Designed for portability, these instruments maintain playability in a size small enough to fit in your luggage. They are also typically cheaper than a full size instrument. Renowned guitar companies such as Martin & Taylor make travel guitars as well.
Student Size Guitars: Crafted with beginners in mind, these guitars have narrow necks and shorter scales. These instruments come in all sizes. There are even guitars made for 5 year old hands, so you can certainly find a model that fits you. These student instruments can also be of very high quality depending on the maker!
Guitarleles: A delightful hybrid of guitar and ukulele, the guitarlele boasts a manageable size and a sweet, melodic tone. It also uses nylon strings that are very easy to press down with the left hand.
Remember, there’s a guitar out there for every hand size. Explore various instruments, try them out at a store and find the one that resonates with you.
2. The Art of Minimal Stretch
Bigger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to hand size. Most guitar chords and scales require minimal finger stretch. In fact, large hands can struggle more because they tend to overshoot the frets. Many chords (I’m looking at you, A major!) include notes that are tightly packed together on the fretboard. These are much easier to play with small hands. Nimble, small fingers can be a huge advantage, especially when working on chord changes.
3. Django Reinhardt’s Two-Finger Magic
Django Reinhardt, the legendary jazz guitarist, defied convention. Despite losing two fingers in a fire, he revolutionized guitar playing. His unique technique involved using only two fingers on his left hand. So, if you think you need a full set of digits to create magic, think again. Find your own style, adapt, and let your passion guide you. Limitations breed creativity. Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath lost his fingertips in an accident and was able to overcome this limitation. He played incredible heavy metal guitar solos using only prosthetic replacements. Anything is possible!
4. Slide and Open Tunings: No Stretch Required
Slide guitar and open tunings offer an escape from fretboard gymnastics. With a slide, you glide effortlessly across the strings, no fingerings required! Open tunings eliminate complex finger placements altogether. Explore these styles—they’re based around the open strings and have a beautiful and unique character.
5. Persistence and Practice
Patience and practice are your allies. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is guitar mastery. Train your hands to stretch gradually. Start with simple chords, then progress to more intricate patterns. Your fingers will adapt, and soon you’ll dance across the frets like a seasoned guitarist. It’s not the size that makes playing guitar easy, it’s the muscle memory that comes from practice.
Summary
Small hands need not be a limitation, practice hard and you will find that it isn’t your hands that are holding you back, it is merely a matter of practice and commitment. (And you can try a travel guitar if you don’t believe me!) Remember, when the strings feel tough, seek guidance. At The American Guitar Academy, your teacher will guide you step by step so that you can enjoy making great music, even with small hands!
Happy Practicing,
-Ryan