Attn Guitarists 2. Please help

[TheBaroness]

is there any way to combat the problem of small hands? I'm learning guitar, I consider myself reasonably capable, but I have to play everything (that's not a chord) with 2 fingers because my hands are so small that if I place my index and middle fingers on two frets, I can't reach anything else with my ring or pinkie. In fact, I would say that my entire hand (when closed) measures only two frets in width (on an epiph les paul fretboard). Are there any techniques I can use to counteract this problem? forgive my ignorance, I am quite a novice in this area. Any help would be appreciated.

[we are cured]

is there any way to combat the problem of small hands? I'm learning guitar, I consider myself reasonably capable, but I have to play everything (that's not a chord) with 2 fingers because my hands are so small that if I place my index and middle fingers on two frets, I can't reach anything else with my ring or pinkie. In fact, I would say that my entire hand (when closed) measures only two frets in width (on an epiph les paul fretboard). Are there any techniques I can use to counteract this problem? forgive my ignorance, I am quite a novice in this area. Any help would be appreciated.

First, make sure the guitar is set up properly, in terms of where it is while you're playing. When you strap it on, the top of the part against your torso (the guitar body) should be no lower than the bottom of your ribs (some would argue that even this is too low). Put your thumb on the back of the neck, parallel to the direction of the neck. Arch your fingers. Curl your wrist so you're pushing down on the strings almost perpendicular to the neck. Make sure every fret that you hit, that you're just to the left of the fretbar, right against it.

Now do some spider exercises and scales. Make sure that you 'stay in the box' - that is, as you go up and down the strings, each of your fingers (minus the thumb) should never leave the fret they started on. Don't be afraid to move your hand a little bit. If you need help with that, PM me.

[Harold Wood]

First, make sure the guitar is set up properly, in terms of where it is while you're playing. When you strap it on, the top of the part against your torso (the guitar body) should be no lower than the bottom of your ribs (some would argue that even this is too low). Put your thumb on the back of the neck, parallel to the direction of the neck. Arch your fingers. Curl your wrist so you're pushing down on the strings almost perpendicular to the neck. Make sure every fret that you hit, that you're just to the left of the fretbar, right against it.

Now do some spider exercises and scales. Make sure that you 'stay in the box' - that is, as you go up and down the strings, each of your fingers (minus the thumb) should never leave the fret they started on. Don't be afraid to move your hand a little bit. If you need help with that, PM me.


This guy nailed it. I don't think your issue is small hands but dexterity. You also must know that playing a les paul you are subject to one of chunkiest and widest necks (in my opinion). Also playing en epi probably does not make things any easier (also opinion). Bottom line here is; practice and have fun with it. It will all come in time.

[we are cured]

This guy nailed it. I don't think your issue is small hands but dexterity. You also must know that playing a les paul you are subject to one of chunkiest and widest necks (in my opinion). Also playing en epi probably does not make things any easier (also opinion). Bottom line here is; practice and have fun with it. It will all come in time.

True, I grew up on schecter and strat necks just to gain feel.

[patrickhowell]

This guy nailed it. I don't think your issue is small hands but dexterity.

I think that it's probably a combination of the two. For someone with really small hands, I would recommend getting a guitar with a shorter-scale neck.