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Great video but one thing that wasn't covered was pick size and I have been trying to find the right pick for my small hands. When picking with long fingers in the strumming hand you don't need as long of a pick to reach from string to string. Longer picks work better for short fingers. I am still looking for a good pick I like If anyone can suggest good one that is a bit pointy but has a long "handle" and is at least 2 mm.
@@drivenmad7676 Explore your options, figure out what works, play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses. It sounds like you're going to be more limited than most, but there's still plenty of fun things you can play. Visit my website and book a private lesson if you'd like more help. GuitarMusicTheory.com
Thank you! Just sanded the lower side of the neck back made a world of difference for my beginner old arthritic hands, great tips. Look forward to seeing more of your videos. Thanks again!
Suggestion: pay particular attention the fretboard radius, the nut width, and the scale length. Find what feels most comfortable for you. I have fairly short fingers. When I was young, I could play any sort of guitar with no problem (youth includes more hand flexibility). With age I find I cannot stand a typical acoustic guitar 16" fretboard radius, nor a typical 1 & 3/4" nut width. My short fingers much prefer a rounder 12" fretboard radius and a narrower 1 & 11/16" nut width. So, my electrics tend to be Gibsons or their Epiphone clones, and my acoustics tend to be US made Guilds or US made Gibsons. Imported models of the big acoustic guitar makers tend to have different specs than their US counterparts. Eastman is the only large overseas maker that I know of that uses a 12" fretboard radius, and a 1 & 11/16" on some models. Most imports use a flatter 16" fretboard radius and a wider 1 & 3/4" nut width.
Good thoughts. Electrics are generally less challenging than acoustics, but the principles are the same. Fretboard radius is hugely important, as is nut width. Those are two reasons why Martins are pretty bad for smallish hands.
Reference : using a Capo : The guitar stays in standard concert pitch ( EADGBE ) tuning but your scale length is reduced and since your position is moved up the neck subsequent fret devisions are relatively reduced (the inter digit spacing is reduced !) in other words it's cheaper than buying a short scale guitar ...my Tel is not far off my Mustang when I do this (every little bit helps ) Only real draw back is Less frets available at the dusty end of the neck .
I play a Fender Mustang, a Les Paul and a Martin Dreadnought Junior. I have stayed away from the 25.5” scale length instruments. Some PRS guitars have 24.5” scale, but are described as having a “wide fat “neck, so I have avoided them too. Taylor have recently released a new guitar, the GT, with a 24” scale. I can understand some of the commenter’s remarks about instructors with “normal” finger length advising us shorties. Of course, this should not be an issue for a competent teacher. Many say it is no disadvantage, you just need to practice more, look at Joe Bloggs, who’s a whizz and only got two fingers. You have been very positive, probably the best on UA-cam on this subject.
8:50 "The bottom line is: don't try to play as if you had big hands". Your common sense is refreshing. I have short fingers. Something you've mentioned throughout your podcasts etc. is to "play to your strengths". I've played drums my whole life. My sense of rhythm to come up with cool stuff will have to take precedent over playing blistering fast 3nps legato stuff. Luckily I'm not into crazy speed / shred stuff anyway :) Another common sense tip you've given in your podcasts: don't expect to do everything that every guitar player can play. Nobody can play it all.
He is spot-on in several areas. NONE of guitar teachers explain any of this and I have seen many "students" quit over lack of access. Switching legs while seated and the angles while standing are very important for access to the neck without having to contort your wrist on every chord. I am 50yrs old and was previous a student who quit, sold all of my equipment and just started over after COVID started. Short fingers is NOT the end - you have to know your limits AND discover ways around issues(try further down the neck) to get your "sound" : this is the beauty of the guitar!
I play guitar with extensive use of the vibrato....I was particularly looking for a Strat....and most short scale Strats have no vibrato arm....I finally found a short scale strat with a vibrato arm....I bought an SA Hawk from Rondo Music....24 inch scale and proportionate body.....regular thickness that took a steel trem block......changed to Custom Shop Fat 50s pickups.....locking tuners.....had it Plek'd....and now it plays and sounds like a full scale Strat.....very happy with it.....bought a matching short scale Tele for it.....
I have very small hands and been struggling for 45 years. this video was very interesting and helpful. I recently bought a Fender Mustang and I love it! great for small hands and you can modify to meet your musical needs. i’m going to put Hot Rails in it for hard rock.
Great info. My palms are normal/large. My fingers may be a bit short. But my fingertips are wide. So pressing a string and avoiding adjacent strings is hard. I find lower frets, low action and light strings helps as I don't have to press down very far between strings. Also, with wide fingertips I struggle to get 3 fingertips in one space...e.g. for an A chord. 25.5 inch scale length and thin frets give a bit more room. Also while a Jaguar has a leg cut further back, it has a 24 inch scale length.
Same here. My PRS Special is great for me. Darn thing practically plays almost as soon as I think of a chord. 😅 My Squier Stratocaster feels very different but good because of the fretboard which is a bit more curved.
Thank you. This is probably the most useful information I have heard in years and includes many ideas that had never occurred to me. I do hope it gets seen by many players. For info, I have short thin fingers and hand pain is beginning to take it’s toll. I have found that a narrower width of 43mm (1 11/16ths inch), which is fairly standard for electrics, also works for me with acoustics, but they are less common, as 45mm (1¾) seems favourable with most manufacturers. From my experience. Taylor T5, Yamaha SLG and Gibson J45 have the narrower width. Lowden and Furch will do this as a custom option. I find the Taylor the most comfortable, especially for long stretch chords. This is added by the very thin neck depth. Hope this may be of help to someone.
Some PRS SE like the custom 24, have that thin wide profile which is nice. I currently have the wide fat on a PRS 305 and it's a bit of a bear. Will check out Desi's hand position video now
@@tvtime1505 By some coincidence, I have that actual guitar and yes, it is perfect for smaller hands, particularly if you use "thumb over chords." The 24 frets and cutaways give that extra real estate. Well worth checking out.
I am just learning guitar as a way to keep my left hand loose. I had a mild stroke affecting my left side so this is a great way to keep it's movement. I have medium to small hands and a double jointed left thumb......lol. Good thing I like a good challenge 🎸👍🎸😎
The part about holding your guitar on the opposite leg and choking up on the strap to get the neck closer was super helpful! Ty, i just started playing and srill trying to find the most comfortable position.
I just started a couple months ago, and I've got some pretty tiny hands and fingers. I can stretch for some decently far chords with just hand wrist changes, but if I'm practicing them over and over for a song it wears me out quick. Good to know there are options. I play an Ibanez gio grx70qa and I love its neck profile and setup.
Very informative, thank you. My main guitar is an 83 Strat with the "Dan Smith" design. It has a thin neck so fits my smaller hand better. After 50 years of playing and gigging, ...the fingers on my left hand are .25" longer than my right. 🙂
2nd reference re Capo : should have said it stays at concert pitch if you drop all tuning relative to the Capo position. Example Capo @ first fret,all strings droped half a tone. ( eg. Open string tuned to E flat then add Capo at first fret, note now E )
outstanding!!...an eye opener...and after applying ur suggestions, I got immediate results...but the main takeaway from what u said that clicked with me even after playing all these years is "playing to your strengths...you don't need to play everything"...thank u so very much for sharing...ur a great teacher...
This was a very helpful video! I'm 62 and now feel more comfortable with what I can and cannot play. Oh, sold my Tele because yes....the fret board was too far away while standing. Felt very awkward, now I know why!
Some good smallish short-scale acoustics I own are the Martin LX1, Eastman ACTG1, and Alvarez RS26. I also like the "guitalele," closer to ukulele in size but with six (nylon) strings played exactly like guitar (pitched 4 degrees higher). Note": most "parlor" guitars have a relatively wide nut and are generally 12-fret instruments as opposed to 14.
Most common number of frets on a 25-1/2" scale guitar are 21, 22 and 24. The number of frets doesn't necessarily dictate the scale length. Shorter scale guitars have fewer frets because they become too close together towards the bridge. Shorter scale guitars with 24 frets would push the neck pickup closer to the bridge. Having 12 or 14 frets clear of the body on an acoustic doesn't necessarily mean the scale length is different.
I'm 6'3" and have short fingers. My main issue is the pinky. I've bought a few acoustic guitars, and find the "low profile" necks are for me the most comfortable. Thanks for the podcast. It was very helpful.
I am a small handed player and play a strat american standard. Most things are doable, but these tips you gave in this video helped gretaly!! Thanks for all you do with these videos :)!
Man! Loved yr video on small hand guitar playing ❤! … I’ve wrestled with this for years ! Thanks for the kick in the ass telling me there are always advantages and disadvantages even in playing! It’s a vote of conf😅dance to never stop playing !!!
Thank you so much.as someone wishing to begin playing a guitar, I am re assured,but also realise that at 5 10 my hands are average & not so small as I thought.
Great suggestions. There even greater challenges when you have small hands and fat fingers. Martin Jr Dreadnought short scale 24” and 1 3/4 nut width. Most smaller guitars have a narrower nut width which is a problem for fat fingers.
Thanks Desi, since I have purchased an Ibanez slim body acoustic my playing has improved, listening to this video has confirmed I made the right decision in buying an Ibanez slim body three quarter size guitar. Other guitar players have commented on my improvement since playing this guitar. Great video, than you.
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Awesome information, thank you. After a 50 year hiatus I'm playing again and have no idea how my hands compare..but thanks for the intro to livin' like a refugee...I can make the stretch! lol but that mean I should or should I strap on a capo? I think I'll continue to stretch. The other thing I'll add is thank goodness for the influx of inexpensive quality guitars I can spend a few hundred dollars on different models and profiles and spend weeks deciding what I like and what suits me the best.
Lots of good comments tells how useful these tips are, so great job! Yes I find PRS very comfortable at every price point. And Eastmans too have a comfortable feel. I also find that the.more I practice the better my hands acclimate to most guitars. Im a baker with pudgy hands!
I’ve watched a lot of vids on this topic seeking some good ways to adapt for best results. This is hands down THE most helpful, practical, well explained AND realistic. Appreciate the several actually useful applications that don’t involve buying a new guitar. Thank you!
Recognized your video very late, I have to admit, but it gave me a new insight of some problems I never thought about before, as a short fingered guitarist and left-handed too. I have a lot of guitars now, some love than others. Now I understand more, why. Thank you for that inspiring thoughts!!!
To make a Tel or Strat a little more comfortable drop the tuning a half step and put a capo on at first fret, or a full tone and capo on at second fret (if your really having trouble).
very helpful information and really informative commentary....this will help a lot going forward as a beginner guitar player....thanks for sharing the knowledge...
Great video, I'm picking up guitar again after over 30 yrs. Starting out with a Fender Squire Strat. Having to develop my guitar fingers and coordination again.
This is the lesson I needed at this moment because I have an issue with my smaller hand reaching five frets on a lesson I was given. I think I’ll take you up on going to your site for some advice because I was almost considering giving up. Thanks for the great tips
I play a Seagull Entourage Grand Rustic QI. Great advice re: positioning. I play both guitar and bass so I have to mention that I play short scale basses exclusively. When I do things on the bass like walking in G I sometimes move my left hand to accommodate. It takes nothing away from the music and that movement saves you a lot in finger stretching aggravation. I bought a mini Taylor acoustic bass and I can’t play it too often, I get way too spoiled and don’t want to play a 30” neck anymore!
really interesting about the waist position and horn size and sitting vs. standing. I'll have to check that out on my guitars where I feel like it's more of a reach to play cowboy chords.
I first got an Ibanez GRX70QA-TBB. It was too long - 25.5" scale. Next I got my current guitar, a used PRS Santana SE - 24.5" scale Wide Fat neck. I like the wide profile because it allows looser finger placement doing chords. The neck is a bit chunky for me, though, but I am learning about better thumb placement to get my fingers to wrap around it better. I did try a 24" scale like a Fender Mustang and a Duo-Sonic. I liked the Mustang, but $799 is a bit steep.
Awesome video. It had the guitar placement tips I was looking for. I have some long time ago experience playing ukulele. I’m now trying a 3/4 size Squier Mini Strat. With my middle finger at 2.75”, it is a challenge but I’m confident it will get easier in time.
I have played guitar for 20 years and have very small hands. If you are just starting out don't let it discourage you. You may just want to consider getting a smaller guitar rather than trying to wrestle with a strat tele or les Paul. I tried those for years because that's what my heros played. I tried a few short scale guitars and now that's all I want to play. If you like Les Paul get a hard tail Jaguar with humbuckers. Guitars that work great are the Jaguar, duosonic, mustang, Rickenbacker 660 and 60s style Gibson necks. Don't get discouraged because of hand size
I love your last tip don't play beyond your limitations you don't have to..i have short fingers and last time i'm forcing myself learning a song that's beyond my limitation and it gives me frustration almost made me quit to continue learn playing guitar...thanks for your wonderful video...
I have an Ibanez MiKro and it is has the hottest set of standard pickups I've ever played. I record bass tracks using a $149 Hofner bass that is half the length of my Jazz Bass. It is a little block of wood attached to a short scale neck. It takes special strings though...made for a small fender bass...because it has guitar tuners rather than bass tuners. I've been searching for the Hofner guitar model like it but they have been out of production a while. I started playing shorter guitars when I suffered a torn rotator cuff. Even after having the shoulder repaired I still don't have full range of motion so I keep using the short necks.
I love this video - My fingers are short (I'm a small woman), and I love finding ways of adapting songs to fit what I can reach. I have a mid-80's Fender Strat from Japan that has the skinniest neck I have ever seen on a guitar - I immediately fell in love with it 20 years ago, and HAD to have it. It's also a 24.75" scale, which is also the scale of my Stagg M350. Over the past few years, I've found a lot of used small beauties: A black Jackson Dinky Minion (2/3), A Blood Red Mitchell MM100 (3/4), A black Dean Baby ML (7/8), a Candy Apple Red Ibanez Mikro (3/4), a Matte Black Laguna LE (3/4), and a 3/4 size Yamaha JR-2 Sunburst. I like these smaller guitars a LOT!! These electrics all have pretty high-output pickups, and my Strat has a Seymour Duncan JB Jr. in the bridge. Another thing I like to do is a little customization - the Jackson has pewter Skull Guitar pickup rings, My Stagg has a Mighty Mite that I put in the bridge, etc. The necks are all very playable, but not identical - so it allows me some versatility. One of the best things I ever did was to find that Jackson - a whole new world opened up to me (my Strat is dear to me, but my Jackson allows me more of a stretch). I love the fact that these 22.5" scale guitars have become more popular - the ones I mentioned really aren't strictly for kids. The way they fit my body is a lot like the way a 25.5" scale guitar fits on the average guy. Nice presentation, Sir!! Subscribed.
I wanna shred but have small finders and my pinky is tilted inwards midway through (like a boomerang). Is the ibanez mikro actually better than the others for soloing?
my favorite neck profile are the modern c neck with taper shoulder 1st .80 12th .85 prefer measurement, with the nut with it all depends I prefer 42mm nut width but 43mm will do fine, thank you for the advise on the prs ill deff look toward that
Thank you so much for this helpful and encouraging video. While I do not have small hands, I’m returning to the guitar after decades away from it. Besides the frustration of having great difficulty in performing what was once quite simple for me, I’m facing neuromuscular issues as well. FYI- All I’m interested in is playing straight rhythm. Chords, and chords only. No lead, no riffs, no shredding. I think my ideal guitar would be a short scale with a 7.25 radius, but good luck finding that. Any further advice from you or fellow comment posters would be much appreciated.
I have a Gibson L6 S which has a very narrow nut at 1 9/16” and a better for me 24.74” scale length. It has no horn (Les Paul shape) and 24 frets, so it wants to reach away from me standing up.. Thank you sir for making me aware of this one aspect of shape that I never considered. My lovely Martin I may part with because the 25.65” scale length, 1 3/4” nut, 2 1/4” saddle spacing and long 000 12 fret body make it a full figured beauty that I really have to reach to get around. I finally learned that the 0-18, 00-18 and 000-18 Martins all have the shorter 24.95” scale length! So does the CEO-7,, these are spendy and I don’t have one yet, but these are full sized guitars that fell significantly easier than your standard Martin. Also, most acoustic Gibsons have a 24.75” scale length and many have a 1 11/16” nut width .... not just the petite bodied L-00 but also a J-45!, any of these would be an easier play than the Martin I love which outsizes me. I want a thinline telecaster so badly, yet I realize it presents me with difficulties right off the bat that a Les Paul solves right away. I must say, I’m intrigued by that super short scale Rickenbacker 325 C64... 21” scale length whoa! But $4,000 stretches my pocketbook even more than my hands! Be forewarned, I got my daughter a mini Strat, I had to put lots of work into it’s set up and heavier strings because at a very short scale intonation problems become a bigger likelihood. Again, a quality short scale like a Rickenbacker probably does not have this issue. Thanks Nashville, this was super helpful even though much of it I learned the hard way.
This has proved very useful. I shall certainly try resting my foot on a stool or similar while playing seated. I have three Squier Mustangs, which all have a 24" scale length.
Best video on this matter. As a self-taught guitar player I totally agree with what you said. Long time ago I wanted to learn a classical guitar piece but I couldn't.That is why I decided to choose carefully which songs to learn. Being comfortable is much better than to feel pain on your wrist.
This video was very informative on how instruments are designed and why for various reasons whether you have physical challenges playing an instrument or not. Thank you. Subscribed.
I'm a guitarist/bassist and bass finger positioning is my biggest issue. My solution: I sold the Fender Jazz Bass and bought a Supro Huntington I 30-inch scale bass. What a great instrument, and I feel so much more comfortable on the fretboard!
Unbelievable video. Common Sense things that you just never think about can make so much sense how this is explained. The sixth trick looks very interesting, potentially solves a problem you've had your whole life.
@@desisernaguitar unfortunately my problem persists: small hands, short & weak fingers... every neck is too big to me... I play a guitar with 24" scale and a thin neck... but everything is difficult...
@@lucasolari3756 It would probably be good to connect for a private lesson online so I can evaluate things and give you some personalized tips. See my online lesson scheduler here. desiserna.as.me/schedule.php
🎸 What do you SPECIFICALLY need to do in order to play guitar better? Visit GuitarMusicTheory.com - answer the questions about your playing and get FREE custom video instruction calibrated to your current level.
Great video but one thing that wasn't covered was pick size and I have been trying to find the right pick for my small hands. When picking with long fingers in the strumming hand you don't need as long of a pick to reach from string to string. Longer picks work better for short fingers. I am still looking for a good pick I like If anyone can suggest good one that is a bit pointy but has a long "handle" and is at least 2 mm.
My hands are average, however my index finger on my chord hand is stiff and a bit crooked. I broke it years ago. do you have any advice?
@@drivenmad7676 Explore your options, figure out what works, play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses. It sounds like you're going to be more limited than most, but there's still plenty of fun things you can play. Visit my website and book a private lesson if you'd like more help. GuitarMusicTheory.com
Thank you! Just sanded the lower side of the neck back made a world of difference for my beginner old arthritic hands, great tips. Look forward to seeing more of your videos. Thanks again!
Like !!! 🕵
Probably the most practical guitar video I've ever watched on UA-cam. My stubby pinky thanks you!
Might also mention: Lighter-gauge strings make a big difference, require less finger-strength.
The best video for small handed players by a huge handed guy ever👍🏻👀
Haha
Huge handed players: Hendrix, Eric Johnson, Paul Gilbert… Vai… Marty Friedman…?
Suggestion: pay particular attention the fretboard radius, the nut width, and the scale length. Find what feels most comfortable for you. I have fairly short fingers. When I was young, I could play any sort of guitar with no problem (youth includes more hand flexibility). With age I find I cannot stand a typical acoustic guitar 16" fretboard radius, nor a typical 1 & 3/4" nut width. My short fingers much prefer a rounder 12" fretboard radius and a narrower 1 & 11/16" nut width. So, my electrics tend to be Gibsons or their Epiphone clones, and my acoustics tend to be US made Guilds or US made Gibsons. Imported models of the big acoustic guitar makers tend to have different specs than their US counterparts. Eastman is the only large overseas maker that I know of that uses a 12" fretboard radius, and a 1 & 11/16" on some models. Most imports use a flatter 16" fretboard radius and a wider 1 & 3/4" nut width.
Good thoughts. Electrics are generally less challenging than acoustics, but the principles are the same. Fretboard radius is hugely important, as is nut width. Those are two reasons why Martins are pretty bad for smallish hands.
Reference : using a Capo : The guitar stays in standard concert pitch ( EADGBE ) tuning but your scale length is reduced and since your position is moved up the neck subsequent fret devisions are relatively reduced (the inter digit spacing is reduced !) in other words it's cheaper than buying a short scale guitar ...my Tel is not far off my Mustang when I do this (every little bit helps ) Only real draw back is Less frets available at the dusty end of the neck .
Yes!! Thank you...I have noticed the same thing, when I use a capo.
I play a Fender Mustang, a Les Paul and a Martin Dreadnought Junior.
I have stayed away from the 25.5” scale length instruments. Some PRS guitars have 24.5” scale, but are described as having a “wide fat “neck, so I have avoided them too. Taylor have recently released a new guitar, the GT, with a 24” scale.
I can understand some of the commenter’s remarks about instructors with “normal” finger length advising us shorties. Of course, this should not be an issue for a competent teacher. Many say it is no disadvantage, you just need to practice more, look at Joe Bloggs, who’s a whizz and only got two fingers.
You have been very positive, probably the best on UA-cam on this subject.
8:50 "The bottom line is: don't try to play as if you had big hands".
Your common sense is refreshing. I have short fingers. Something you've mentioned throughout your podcasts etc. is to "play to your strengths".
I've played drums my whole life. My sense of rhythm to come up with cool stuff will have to take precedent over playing blistering fast 3nps legato stuff. Luckily I'm not into crazy speed / shred stuff anyway :)
Another common sense tip you've given in your podcasts: don't expect to do everything that every guitar player can play. Nobody can play it all.
Yup. Thanks for listening and watching!
I am a newbie with small hands; I will definitely try the trick of resting the guitar on my opposite leg. Thanks!
I have free video instruction for beginners on my website. www.GuitarMusicTheory.com
Most comprehensive review I've seen thus far. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
He is spot-on in several areas. NONE of guitar teachers explain any of this and I have seen many "students" quit over lack of access. Switching legs while seated and the angles while standing are very important for access to the neck without having to contort your wrist on every chord. I am 50yrs old and was previous a student who quit, sold all of my equipment and just started over after COVID started. Short fingers is NOT the end - you have to know your limits AND discover ways around issues(try further down the neck) to get your "sound" : this is the beauty of the guitar!
Well said.
I play guitar with extensive use of the vibrato....I was particularly looking for a Strat....and most short scale Strats have no vibrato arm....I finally found a short scale strat with a vibrato arm....I bought an SA Hawk from Rondo Music....24 inch scale and proportionate body.....regular thickness that took a steel trem block......changed to Custom Shop Fat 50s pickups.....locking tuners.....had it Plek'd....and now it plays and sounds like a full scale Strat.....very happy with it.....bought a matching short scale Tele for it.....
I’ve got small hands and find the Squier Classic Vibe 50s strats very playable as they have thinner necks
I don't have small hands but still found this video very useful. I shared this to a small handed friend also. Thanks for your Great Info.
I have very small hands and been struggling for 45 years. this video was very interesting and helpful. I recently bought a Fender Mustang and I love it! great for small hands and you can modify to meet your musical needs. i’m going to put Hot Rails in it for hard rock.
I am 5'5" guy, short skinny fingers. I purchase an Orangewood Oliver Jr. Live (3/4 length, narrow neck, and mahogany wood!) I love it!!!
Thanks for that info! I'm creating a list of guitars that may work better for me (5'3" gal, short fingers) and this one is going on there!! :-)
Great info.
My palms are normal/large. My fingers may be a bit short. But my fingertips are wide. So pressing a string and avoiding adjacent strings is hard. I find lower frets, low action and light strings helps as I don't have to press down very far between strings.
Also, with wide fingertips I struggle to get 3 fingertips in one space...e.g. for an A chord. 25.5 inch scale length and thin frets give a bit more room.
Also while a Jaguar has a leg cut further back, it has a 24 inch scale length.
Same here. My PRS Special is great for me. Darn thing practically plays almost as soon as I think of a chord. 😅 My Squier Stratocaster feels very different but good because of the fretboard which is a bit more curved.
Thank you. This is probably the most useful information I have heard in years and includes many ideas that had never occurred to me. I do hope it gets seen by many players.
For info, I have short thin fingers and hand pain is beginning to take it’s toll. I have found that a narrower width of 43mm (1 11/16ths inch), which is fairly standard for electrics, also works for me with acoustics, but they are less common, as 45mm (1¾) seems favourable with most manufacturers. From my experience. Taylor T5, Yamaha SLG and Gibson J45 have the narrower width. Lowden and Furch will do this as a custom option. I find the Taylor the most comfortable, especially for long stretch chords. This is added by the very thin neck depth. Hope this may be of help to someone.
Thanks for the input!
How about that moment when you saw Angus holding his guitar at that angle! You're like duh!
Some PRS SE like the custom 24, have that thin wide profile which is nice. I currently have the wide fat on a PRS 305 and it's a bit of a bear. Will check out Desi's hand position video now
@@tvtime1505 By some coincidence, I have that actual guitar and yes, it is perfect for smaller hands, particularly if you use "thumb over chords." The 24 frets and cutaways give that extra real estate. Well worth checking out.
I am just learning guitar as a way to keep my left hand loose. I had a mild stroke affecting my left side so this is a great way to keep it's movement. I have medium to small hands and a double jointed left thumb......lol.
Good thing I like a good challenge 🎸👍🎸😎
This is all so obvious, but up until seeing this, was anything but obvious to me!
Thankyou!
The part about holding your guitar on the opposite leg and choking up on the strap to get the neck closer was super helpful! Ty, i just started playing and srill trying to find the most comfortable position.
Glad it helped!
I have the Sterling short scale Cutlass (24" scale); it's a great compromise between a kid guitar (22" scale) and a regular 24 3/4" LP style guitar.
Great video. You can play spot on, yet unlike most, you teach rather than showing off. Thanks.
I just started a couple months ago, and I've got some pretty tiny hands and fingers. I can stretch for some decently far chords with just hand wrist changes, but if I'm practicing them over and over for a song it wears me out quick. Good to know there are options. I play an Ibanez gio grx70qa and I love its neck profile and setup.
Jose Feliciano was only 5' 5" tall and blind to boot and played guitar very well.
No he did not play very well at all. He played brilliantly
Maybe 5’5”, but with long fingers. But yes amazing player.
Y'all talking like he's dead! He released an album last year.
@@MrStevegillette oops 😬
Arguably the most comprehensive explanation on this subject , all in one video....thank you
Glad it was helpful!
The recent year Fender Duo Sonic have thinner necks than similar year Mustangs.
They had a 22.5 short scale
but You'll *NEVER* find one !
i want to check those out. i just bought a mustang and love it.
Many thanks for your helpful advice! As a two-note bass player for several years, I finally got my youth Mustang's neck back in my hand...
Very informative, thank you. My main guitar is an 83 Strat with the "Dan Smith" design. It has a thin neck so fits my smaller hand better. After 50 years of playing and gigging, ...the fingers on my left hand are .25" longer than my right. 🙂
really?? wow.
2nd reference re Capo : should have said it stays at concert pitch if you drop all tuning relative to the Capo position. Example Capo @ first fret,all strings droped half a tone. ( eg.
Open string tuned to E flat then add Capo at first fret, note now E )
outstanding!!...an eye opener...and after applying ur suggestions, I got immediate results...but the main takeaway from what u said that clicked with me even after playing all these years is "playing to your strengths...you don't need to play everything"...thank u so very much for sharing...ur a great teacher...
Glad you found it helpful. 👍
Nice video. I have a Fender Duo-Sonic and Squier Jaguar, both 24" scale. I recommend both for small hands.
This was a very helpful video! I'm 62 and now feel more comfortable with what I can and cannot play. Oh, sold my Tele because yes....the fret board was too far away while standing. Felt very awkward, now I know why!
Some good smallish short-scale acoustics I own are the Martin LX1, Eastman ACTG1, and Alvarez RS26. I also like the "guitalele," closer to ukulele in size but with six (nylon) strings played exactly like guitar (pitched 4 degrees higher). Note": most "parlor" guitars have a relatively wide nut and are generally 12-fret instruments as opposed to 14.
Most common number of frets on a 25-1/2" scale guitar are 21, 22 and 24. The number of frets doesn't necessarily dictate the scale length. Shorter scale guitars have fewer frets because they become too close together towards the bridge. Shorter scale guitars with 24 frets would push the neck pickup closer to the bridge. Having 12 or 14 frets clear of the body on an acoustic doesn't necessarily mean the scale length is different.
I'm 6'3" and have short fingers. My main issue is the pinky. I've bought a few acoustic guitars, and find the "low profile" necks are for me the most comfortable. Thanks for the podcast. It was very helpful.
I am a small handed player and play a strat american standard. Most things are doable, but these tips you gave in this video helped gretaly!! Thanks for all you do with these videos :)!
This is the tip I needed with my mid-small fingers. Thanks for the lesson! 🙏
Thanks.
Especially for mentioning different 3 /4 types.
I subscribed.
Man! Loved yr video on small hand guitar playing ❤! … I’ve wrestled with this for years ! Thanks for the kick in the ass telling me there are always advantages and disadvantages even in playing! It’s a vote of conf😅dance to never stop playing !!!
I found a guitar that has a neck that the width isn't so wide on it. It is an alvarez. And it sounds great
Thank you so much.as someone wishing to begin playing a guitar, I am re assured,but also realise that at 5 10 my hands are average & not so small as I thought.
Be sure to check out the free instruction at my website. GuitarMusicTheory.com
Great suggestions. There even greater challenges when you have small hands and fat fingers. Martin Jr Dreadnought short scale 24” and 1 3/4 nut width. Most smaller guitars have a narrower nut width which is a problem for fat fingers.
I have been uplifted by this video please give me more as a small handed person
Takamine EG240 & Takamine GN93CE - NAT NEX body style
Thanks Desi, since I have purchased an Ibanez slim body acoustic my playing has improved, listening to this video has confirmed I made the right decision in buying an Ibanez slim body three quarter size guitar. Other guitar players have commented on my improvement since playing this guitar. Great video, than you.
You can view the official tab here www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/se/ID_No/69005/Product.aspx or here tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-allman-brothers-band/ramblin-man-guitar-pro-864056
By far this is the best guitar video i've watched! ❤💯
The placement of my left leg and the sternum advice when standing were so helpful. On this video alone, I subscribed.
Glad it helped!
lm playinga strat. im just beginning but have come into some of these problems. so im anxious to try some the tips you suggested.thank you.
Go to my website for free beginner instruction. www.GuitarMusicTheory.com
Thank u so much for the info, having looking for this info for a long time.
This was a very comprehensive video I'm glad I found it
Awesome information, thank you. After a 50 year hiatus I'm playing again and have no idea how my hands compare..but thanks for the intro to livin' like a refugee...I can make the stretch! lol but that mean I should or should I strap on a capo? I think I'll continue to stretch. The other thing I'll add is thank goodness for the influx of inexpensive quality guitars I can spend a few hundred dollars on different models and profiles and spend weeks deciding what I like and what suits me the best.
Thank you, sir! Very good information for us shorties.
Good advice , I’ve been playing in the seated classical position for years for comfort not knowing why.
Lots of good comments tells how useful these tips are, so great job! Yes I find PRS very comfortable at every price point. And Eastmans too have a comfortable feel.
I also find that the.more I practice the better my hands acclimate to most guitars. Im a baker with pudgy hands!
I am not that short, but i do have smaller fingers and I have a hard time with some chords. This was a very helpful video!
I’ve watched a lot of vids on this topic seeking some good ways to adapt for best results. This is hands down THE most helpful, practical, well explained AND realistic. Appreciate the several actually useful applications that don’t involve buying a new guitar. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Recognized your video very late, I have to admit, but it gave me a new insight of some problems I never thought about before, as a short fingered guitarist and left-handed too. I have a lot of guitars now, some love than others. Now I understand more, why. Thank you for that inspiring thoughts!!!
To make a Tel or Strat a little more comfortable drop the tuning a half step and put a capo on at first fret, or a full tone and capo on at second fret (if your really having trouble).
Interesting. How does this help you?
@@desisernaguitar less tension in the strings. But you have compensate. Just play everything 1 or 2 frets up and throw away your capo.
very helpful information and really informative commentary....this will help a lot going forward as a beginner guitar player....thanks for sharing the knowledge...
Glad it was helpful!
I use an ibanez GRX70 and I do pretty good on it. For being short thin fingered I can still maneuver decently on the fretboard.
Great video, I'm picking up guitar again after over 30 yrs. Starting out with a Fender Squire Strat. Having to develop my guitar fingers and coordination again.
Well, welcome back aboard! I have free beginner video instruction available on my website. www.GuitarMusicTheory.com
This is the lesson I needed at this moment because I have an issue with my smaller hand reaching five frets on a lesson I was given. I think I’ll take you up on going to your site for some advice because I was almost considering giving up. Thanks for the great tips
I play a Seagull Entourage Grand Rustic QI. Great advice re: positioning. I play both guitar and bass so I have to mention that I play short scale basses exclusively. When I do things on the bass like walking in G I sometimes move my left hand to accommodate. It takes nothing away from the music and that movement saves you a lot in finger stretching aggravation. I bought a mini Taylor acoustic bass and I can’t play it too often, I get way too spoiled and don’t want to play a 30” neck anymore!
Thanks for sharing!
Very good, rarely mentioned point about fretboard radius. Many acoustic fretboards have a very flat radius--painful to play.
Thank you, I will buy a guitar and start playing thanks to you!
really interesting about the waist position and horn size and sitting vs. standing. I'll have to check that out on my guitars where I feel like it's more of a reach to play cowboy chords.
thanks for the video, excellent tips I've not gotten anywhere else.
I first got an Ibanez GRX70QA-TBB. It was too long - 25.5" scale. Next I got my current guitar, a used PRS Santana SE - 24.5" scale Wide Fat neck. I like the wide profile because it allows looser finger placement doing chords. The neck is a bit chunky for me, though, but I am learning about better thumb placement to get my fingers to wrap around it better. I did try a 24" scale like a Fender Mustang and a Duo-Sonic. I liked the Mustang, but $799 is a bit steep.
Fender Duosonic II, Taylor L9 acoustic
Best video I’ve seen, very helpful for my very very small hands
Glad it helped
Awesome video. It had the guitar placement tips I was looking for. I have some long time ago experience playing ukulele. I’m now trying a 3/4 size Squier Mini Strat. With my middle finger at 2.75”, it is a challenge but I’m confident it will get easier in time.
I have played guitar for 20 years and have very small hands. If you are just starting out don't let it discourage you. You may just want to consider getting a smaller guitar rather than trying to wrestle with a strat tele or les Paul. I tried those for years because that's what my heros played. I tried a few short scale guitars and now that's all I want to play. If you like Les Paul get a hard tail Jaguar with humbuckers. Guitars that work great are the Jaguar, duosonic, mustang, Rickenbacker 660 and 60s style Gibson necks. Don't get discouraged because of hand size
Just the type of feedback I was looking for. Thanks!
brilliant iv.e learned a lot from this one video thank you i.m 80 just starting and left handed playing right.
Glad it helped!
This has changed my mindset on guitar playing. Thanks a lot :)
I love your last tip don't play beyond your limitations you don't have to..i have short fingers and last time i'm forcing myself learning a song that's beyond my limitation and it gives me frustration almost made me quit to continue learn playing guitar...thanks for your wonderful video...
Exactly! It's silly to quit over things you can't play when they're so many things you can play. 👍
I have an Ibanez MiKro and it is has the hottest set of standard pickups I've ever played. I record bass tracks using a $149 Hofner bass that is half the length of my Jazz Bass. It is a little block of wood attached to a short scale neck. It takes special strings though...made for a small fender bass...because it has guitar tuners rather than bass tuners. I've been searching for the Hofner guitar model like it but they have been out of production a while. I started playing shorter guitars when I suffered a torn rotator cuff. Even after having the shoulder repaired I still don't have full range of motion so I keep using the short necks.
My favourite guitar is an Ibanez s series 521.
Best small hand video i've seen! thank you!
You're welcome!
I play a lefty PRS SE 24 and an lefty Epiphone Les Paul Standard
Thanks Desi just getting started lots of good suggestions for small hands Thanks!!!!!!!
Happy to help!
I love this video - My fingers are short (I'm a small woman), and I love finding ways of adapting songs to fit what I can reach. I have a mid-80's Fender Strat from Japan that has the skinniest neck I have ever seen on a guitar - I immediately fell in love with it 20 years ago, and HAD to have it. It's also a 24.75" scale, which is also the scale of my Stagg M350. Over the past few years, I've found a lot of used small beauties: A black Jackson Dinky Minion (2/3), A Blood Red Mitchell MM100 (3/4), A black Dean Baby ML (7/8), a Candy Apple Red Ibanez Mikro (3/4), a Matte Black Laguna LE (3/4), and a 3/4 size Yamaha JR-2 Sunburst. I like these smaller guitars a LOT!! These electrics all have pretty high-output pickups, and my Strat has a Seymour Duncan JB Jr. in the bridge. Another thing I like to do is a little customization - the Jackson has pewter Skull Guitar pickup rings, My Stagg has a Mighty Mite that I put in the bridge, etc. The necks are all very playable, but not identical - so it allows me some versatility. One of the best things I ever did was to find that Jackson - a whole new world opened up to me (my Strat is dear to me, but my Jackson allows me more of a stretch). I love the fact that these 22.5" scale guitars have become more popular - the ones I mentioned really aren't strictly for kids. The way they fit my body is a lot like the way a 25.5" scale guitar fits on the average guy. Nice presentation, Sir!! Subscribed.
This is great info! Thanks for sharing.
I wanna shred but have small finders and my pinky is tilted inwards midway through (like a boomerang). Is the ibanez mikro actually better than the others for soloing?
my favorite neck profile are the modern c neck with taper shoulder 1st .80 12th .85 prefer measurement, with the nut with it all depends I prefer 42mm nut width but 43mm will do fine, thank you for the advise on the prs ill deff look toward that
Thank you so much for this helpful and encouraging video. While I do not have small hands, I’m returning to the guitar after decades away from it. Besides the frustration of having great difficulty in performing what was once quite simple for me, I’m facing neuromuscular issues as well. FYI- All I’m interested in is playing straight rhythm. Chords, and chords only. No lead, no riffs, no shredding. I think my ideal guitar would be a short scale with a 7.25 radius, but good luck finding that. Any further advice from you or fellow comment posters would be much appreciated.
Your recommendations are the best out there and makes the most sense. Thank you. I went and bought an Ibanez Mikro. Perfect!
Glad to help!
WOW! This video is really helpful! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
I have a Gibson L6 S which has a very narrow nut at 1 9/16” and a better for me 24.74” scale length. It has no horn (Les Paul shape) and 24 frets, so it wants to reach away from me standing up.. Thank you sir for making me aware of this one aspect of shape that I never considered.
My lovely Martin I may part with because the 25.65” scale length, 1 3/4” nut, 2 1/4” saddle spacing and long 000 12 fret body make it a full figured beauty that I really have to reach to get around. I finally learned that the 0-18, 00-18 and 000-18 Martins all have the shorter 24.95” scale length! So does the CEO-7,, these are spendy and I don’t have one yet, but these are full sized guitars that fell significantly easier than your standard Martin. Also, most acoustic Gibsons have a 24.75” scale length and many have a 1 11/16” nut width .... not just the petite bodied L-00 but also a J-45!, any of these would be an easier play than the Martin I love which outsizes me. I want a thinline telecaster so badly, yet I realize it presents me with difficulties right off the bat that a Les Paul solves right away. I must say, I’m intrigued by that super short scale Rickenbacker 325 C64... 21” scale length whoa! But $4,000 stretches my pocketbook even more than my hands! Be forewarned, I got my daughter a mini Strat, I had to put lots of work into it’s set up and heavier strings because at a very short scale intonation problems become a bigger likelihood. Again, a quality short scale like a Rickenbacker probably does not have this issue. Thanks Nashville, this was super helpful even though much of it I learned the hard way.
I'm sure this info will be helpful to others. Thanks for sharing.
This has proved very useful. I shall certainly try resting my foot on a stool or similar while playing seated. I have three Squier Mustangs, which all have a 24" scale length.
Best video on this matter.
As a self-taught guitar player I totally agree with what you said. Long time ago I wanted to learn a classical guitar piece but I couldn't.That is why I decided to choose carefully which songs to learn.
Being comfortable is much better than to feel pain on your wrist.
John Scott is so THE MAN ~!!! Love that guy's work.
What a great video, it has given me renewed hope that I can progress and made me realise I need to think about alternative playing styles!!
Epiphone Les Paul Custom. Small stubby fingers! My pinkie thanks you! :)
This video was very informative on how instruments are designed and why for various reasons whether you have physical challenges playing an instrument or not. Thank you. Subscribed.
Glad it was helpful!
I'm a guitarist/bassist and bass finger positioning is my biggest issue. My solution: I sold the Fender Jazz Bass and bought a Supro Huntington I 30-inch scale bass. What a great instrument, and I feel so much more comfortable on the fretboard!
Like buying shoes, you need to find something that fits.
Unbelievable video. Common Sense things that you just never think about can make so much sense how this is explained. The sixth trick looks very interesting, potentially solves a problem you've had your whole life.
Glad it was helpful! Getting good at anything usually involves a little ingenuity.
Tiny hands love the les Paul 60s neck.
VERY CLEAR AND REALLY USEFUL!!! thanks a lot!
Glad it helped!
@@desisernaguitar unfortunately my problem persists: small hands, short & weak fingers... every neck is too big to me... I play a guitar with 24" scale and a thin neck... but everything is difficult...
@@lucasolari3756 It would probably be good to connect for a private lesson online so I can evaluate things and give you some personalized tips. See my online lesson scheduler here. desiserna.as.me/schedule.php
Sanchez and a Suzuki figure 8. Thanks for the video.💯
Well done.
Great lesson Desi…I recently watched a video of HOLD THE LINE GUITAR LESSON where legato was used …it’s nice to fully understand legato style playing
Glad this video helped!
best video about "small hand" isssue