I have really really short fingers and I am playing guitar and I have been for atleast 5 or 6 months. I havent gotten any better because I cant play anything because I cant reach very well. Can Anyone give me any tips that will help stretch out my fingers so I can get better at guitar?
2007-05-20 13:19:18 · 9 answers · asked by Ben G 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
profesionals commented on my hand placement. They said it was perfect but i just have small hands and I need to find ways to stretch them out.
2007-05-22 13:34:22 · update #1
Have you ever watch Segovia, (classical guitarist) he had short stubby fingers. I'll bet you don't have a teacher, right? And I'll lay to ten to one your not playing correctly, is your thumb placed in the middle of the back of the neck? I'll bet not, try to start over and fix your bad habit, it's not to late, and I'll bet you won't have any problems. Go on youtube and check out some of the girls with little fingers playing classical guitar, (classical guitar has a very flat wide neck) but the ones that play correctly with the thumb in the correct place don't have any problem. Hope this helps.
2007-05-20 14:54:52 · answer #1 · answered by chessmaster1018 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hand placement is key. I'm a traditional guitar player, and frankly, sometimes we cheat, and loop the thumb over the top of the guitar to play bass notes on the 6th and even the 5th strings. But when I have to play in the rock mode (hey, I haven't been doing this for 40 years by being a one trick pony) I use the classical position with the thumb planted in the middle of the back of the neck. If you need to stretch up the neck to spred 5 frets, make sure you shift your thumb so it is in the middle of chord you are trying to play.
The guy who clued me in to playing fingerpicked guitar had the shortest fatest fingers I ever saw. But he was one hell of a guitar player.
Also often overlooked is the condition of your callouses. Hard callouses come from practicing every day, and they have an enormous impact on the sound of the guitar, as well as the ease of playing.
I'm an acoustic player so your mileage may vary. However, I think every guitarist owes it to himself and his audience to own and practice on the acoustic guitar, which is harder to play, since it usually has a higher action and heavier strings.
2007-05-22 08:48:09 · answer #2 · answered by Charlie S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although I don't share your dilemma with short fingers I suggest playing chords that might be incomplete, but will do the job for you.
Examples:
Eb: xx5343
F: xx3211
Concentrate upon using your first finger and little finger more than usual, such as stretching them in what is called the "long A." Here is the diagram: x02225
The first finger flattens the first four strings, and using just the edge of your little finger, place it on the fifth fret, first string.
Keeping the first finger in place, slide your little finger down to the fourth fret, making an Amaj7. Slide the little finger down further to rest on the third fret you will then have an A7.
This is but one example of maximizing the usage of your little finger. Other ways is to keep the A chord as explained while your little finger slides down each string as you strum them.
Also practice using the forefinger and the little finger as a team in playing melody notes and quick runs.
Hope this helps.
2007-05-20 14:24:20 · answer #3 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Guitarpicker56's method could help you. They are simplifed alternate fingerings for guitar, but in all actuallity, they are Baritone Ukulele chords! They work on guitar because a baritone uke's 4 strings are tuned the same as the guitar's bottom four strings. The guitar is tuned EADGBE, and the baritone ukulele is tuned DGBE,so all the chords are the same or similar, and all baritone uke chords will work on the guitar.
Myself, I recommend picking up a baritone ukulele and learn to play that. It's much easier to play, and in no way will impede your abilty to play guitar, only help you much faster!
Here is a uke chord chart in the DGBE tuning.
http://www.ukefarm.com/chordgen/chordchart_DGBE.php
Enjoy them on guitar, or have a lot of fun with baritone ukulele!
Rock on!
2007-05-25 07:50:05 · answer #4 · answered by wise1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This may seem obvious but have you tried a guitar with a narrow fretboard? I struggled with a classical style guitar for years then I tried an electric guitar. The elec. had a much narrower neck and fretboard making it much easier to play for short fingered folks.
2007-05-20 14:49:59 · answer #5 · answered by yoga guy 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
do not give up my hands are small too but by the time i played for at least 4 months my hands grew in to my guitar just keep practicing
2016-03-19 09:12:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have been browsing the internet more than three hours today searching for answer to the same question, yet I haven't found any interesting debate like this. It is pretty worth enough for me.
2016-08-20 06:46:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not about how short your fingers are really. its about hand placement. it seems to me you dont have the correct arc in your wrists. i think you need to find a teacher to help you.
2007-05-20 19:58:08 · answer #8 · answered by wimpy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
angus young has small hands hes awesome isent he?
2007-05-20 15:37:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
possible yes
2016-09-19 01:38:58 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋