Would small hands be a problem in bass playing? I'm just starting. My hands I think are about 2 inches wide, from side of palm to the other side.

having big hands can be a benefit in some cases, but IMO being a good bass player has more to do with good feel, good tone, and the right notes at the right time. no worries, just go for it! :cool:

Would small hands be a problem in bass playing?

No. Period.

Thank You

This seems to be topic of the month at the moment. Small hands don't really matter if you have good technique. Anthony Jackson is said to have small hands, and I doubt you could see how it has ever disadvantaged him.

My hands/fingers are smaller than average, but I can still stretch farther than a lot of guitarists I know (with average to large hands).

Like mute said: so long as you have good technique, you shouldn't have any trouble.

My hands I think are about 2 inches wide, from side of palm to the other side.

That is small...I have small hands - smaller than anyone I know - and they are probably closer to 4 inches.

If they *really* are that small, I'd look into something like this

http://www.activemusician.com/item--MC.JR7MB

unless you can afford a custom instrument.

If you underestimated and your hands are like mine, you'll do fine - I use a 35" scale bass, generally. I often use forefinger and pinky to stretch 3 frets, which helps a lot.

no, victor wooten has rather small hands

2 inches? Is that an accurate measurement, or are you estimating? I know everyone's knee-jerk reaction is to say "small hands, no problem", but if you're palm is actually 2 inches across, I'd consider looking into short scale basses. Looking at my measuring tape, 2 inches would be about the size of my 8-year old's hand, and she has difficulty on regular scale guitars, let alone bass!

Where there is a will there is a way.

Andre Segovia the legendary classical guitarist had short stubby fingers that looked like ham hocks. There wasn't anything he couldn't play.

You try the standard techniques and see if they work for you, if they don't then you adjust and find what works for you. All that matters is the end result your sound.

nah, it's much more about flexibility than size. small hands also make the double thump technique just a little easier i think.

Its an estimate. My fingers are about 2.5 inches long. My entire hand from the wrist to the tip of my middle finger is 6 inches long. And the width of my palm not including the thumb is 2.9 inches long

So yeah, lol, I underestimated it the other time. But compared to kids my age (18) their hands are about double the size of mine.


Oh, and if it helps, I plan on covering a lot of MUSE songs...

So yeah, lol, I underestimated it the other time. But compared to kids my age (18) their hands are about double the size of mine.


Gotcha! I was more amazed at how folks were saying no problem to 2 inches across! I don't think they fully read the post.

Now, at 2.9, you're still only in the 5th percentile for women's hands, and below the 1st percentile for men's hands:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:HandAnthropometry.JPG

I'd still recommend a short scale bass to at least start out on. It'll give you a better chance of getting the right techniques down. Go with what's comfortable, because you want to be able to put in a lot time with the instrument.

I don't come off as a prick here. Would there be a problem if I just get a regular bass?

My arms a long enough to hold a regular bass...

It's nothing to do with arm length, it's about finger reach.
The shorter scale would make it more comfortable for you to play with less shifting. I'm not saying it can't be done on a normal size bass- examples have been listed already of small handed players. I'm just saying, if you can come across a short scale bass- try it out.

Alright. Thank You for the help guys. Really appreciate it. I see how bass players stick together :D

You know, every thread like this has the same old thing. Someone insisting almost that a short scale bass is the answer to having small hands. The scale length of a bass is not the issue. A short scale bass might be preferable to someone once they have got correct technique, but it IS NOT the answer to correcting technical issues. Bad technique on a long scale will be the same bad technique on a short scale.

You know, every thread like this has the same old thing. Someone insisting almost that a short scale bass is the answer to having small hands. The scale length of a bass is not the issue. A short scale bass might be preferable to someone once they have got correct technique, but it IS NOT the answer to correcting technical issues. Bad technique on a long scale will be the same bad technique on a short scale.

You know why people even ask about their hand size is because they don't have an acceptable technique and so they're failing. I think what these people are doing is looking for some other reason to blame for their failure besides them self.

As far as getting a smaller scale bass goes, after they pay for a smaller bass, they're still going to have the same "reach" problems because their technique is flawed. Except now, they're going to have the pleasure of pissing more money down the drain instead of accepting responsibility for their failure and either figure out how to overcome it or quit.

Besides, small scale basses sound like **** anyways.

You know, every thread like this has the same old thing. Someone insisting almost that a short scale bass is the answer to having small hands. The scale length of a bass is not the issue. A short scale bass might be preferable to someone once they have got correct technique, but it IS NOT the answer to correcting technical issues. Bad technique on a long scale will be the same bad technique on a short scale.

The other problem is, folks don't read the details- or have such a trigger-happy reaction to the subject of small hands, they don't even try to measure out the sizes being discussed! For sure, if the OP's hand was 2 inches across, good technique wouldn't be enough. That's a half inch smaller than my 8 year old daughters hand, essentially infant size! Even at 2.9 inches, the corrected size, I still think a short scale neck would be more comfortable. I didn't say it' the only way to have proper technique. I'm talking about comfort, which leads to longer playing. And I'm also saying, as a beginner-to start off with. In other words, upgrade to regular scale after the technique's been honed on a more comfortable bass.

It's done on the upright, that's why they have 1/2 size. The whole violin family does it that way too, for that matter.

Where there is a will there is a way.

Andre Segovia the legendary classical guitarist had short stubby fingers that looked like ham hocks. There wasn't anything he couldn't play.

You try the standard techniques and see if they work for you, if they don't then you adjust and find what works for you. All that matters is the end result your sound.

Good call. I was just about to mention him.

I don't have big hands by any means but I play 5 string basses exclusively.

The other problem is, folks don't read the details- or have such a trigger-happy reaction to the subject of small hands, they don't even try to measure out the sizes being discussed! For sure, if the OP's hand was 2 inches across, good technique wouldn't be enough. That's a half inch smaller than my 8 year old daughters hand, essentially infant size! Even at 2.9 inches, the corrected size, I still think a short scale neck would be more comfortable. I didn't say it' the only way to have proper technique. I'm talking about comfort, which leads to longer playing. And I'm also saying, as a beginner-to start off with. In other words, upgrade to regular scale after the technique's been honed on a more comfortable bass.

It's done on the upright, that's why they have 1/2 size. The whole violin family does it that way too, for that matter.

I read the details alright. I also noted where the words "I think" were used. I am pretty sceptical at this stage without confirmation that the OP's hands are actually only 2 inches across.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:HandAnthropometry.JPG


I'm a guy and my hands are just under 3", putting me well under the 1st percentile along with the OP. I was killing my hands trying to get good technique on a 34" bass, because so many posters on here insist that nobody needs a short-scale bass.

Clearly I'm exceptional, but my SX Jazz shorty has made life a lot easier. I think people need to take these knee-jerk reactions about hand size with a grain of salt.

And as for Segovia: http://www.tar.gr/images/Segovia-tar-2%5B1%5D.jpg
His fingers may have been pudgy, but they were hardly short.

I read the details alright. I also noted where the words "I think" were used. I am pretty sceptical at this stage without confirmation that the OP's hands are actually only 2 inches across.

If you've read the details, then there's no need to be sceptical, since the OP updated the thread with the actual size! (2.9 inches to be exact)

Gibson SG
Fender Mustang
Hofners

not all short scales sound like crap

Ok a little spindizzy secret here...I have exceptionally small hands. What do I choose to play? A seven string with spacing at the bridge of 19mm and a 34" scale.

Is it more difficult than it should be...no.

You should actually be more concerned about the techniques you use to play regardless of instrument size...period.

Unless one of these folks who insist that a short scale is the only solution can explain why I can play a very very large instrument with hands like mine I simply say horse crap! Even if the OP has hands a little smaller than mine certainly they can handle a normal scaled 4 or 5 string if I can handle the seven. Frankly there has to be some other problem if you absolutel cannot play a "standard" size electric.

My hints to the OP are to focus on thumb placement on the neck, good tight and efficient plucking hand technique, and careful warm ups and an effort to stay relax while you play. Start slow with everthing and if it hurts...rest for a while.

Over time you will learn (and learning is not without its frustrations) to adapt techinques to aid in any physical shortcommings. The important thing is not to do any damage (and this is true regardless of your hand size) to the physical mechanisms as your body learns how to use new muscles and positions.

I reccomend taking a look at both Gary Willis and Todd Johnson for techniques that will get you there (and niether of these two gentlemen have Wilt the Stilt size hands).

Oh and on the subject of 3/4 uprights...that was more of a matter of making a shorter instrument for shorter people...not to make the instrument more playable due to small hand size. There, even if you have great technique, you can't play standing up if you can't reach the neck without a stool (at least that seems much more logical to me than the thought that they were created for small handed folks).

All of course is IMHO.

Spin

Ok a little spindizzy secret here...I have exceptionally small hands.

Exactly how small? Give us numbers. The range that was being discussed was 2"-2.9", 1st percentile for men, 5th for women. Are you in that range?

...one of these folks who insist that a short scale is the only solution ...

Who said ONLY solution? We're talking about OPTIONS. Very different.



Oh and on the subject of 3/4 uprights...that was more of a matter of making a shorter instrument for shorter people...not to make the instrument more playable due to small hand size. There, even if you have great technique, you can't play standing up if you can't reach the neck without a stool (at least that seems much more logical to me than the thought that they were created for small handed folks).


Not talking about 3/4 size- that's the standard size. Talking about the 1/2 sizes. They exist for violins to, so nothing to do with height there (in the case of violin) Morever, the point is that for kids and smaller adults, there are options to make playing more comfortable.

To be clear NO ONE has said "The only bass a small hand person can play is a small scale".

My hands are 3.2", which seems to be just at the edge of the 1st percentile for men. In any case, I play normal basses. Just have to move a little more than people with big hands ;)

My vote, go for a bass with a skinny neck like a jazz. there are many out there to choose from to make it more comfortable.

Mike Gordon from Phish has exceptionally small hands - he also plays a 5 string Modulus as his main bass...those are by no means skinny necks.

I have pretty small hands too - I play a Geddy Lee Jazz as my primary bass, but I can make my way around a P bass pretty good as well. It's all about practicing to be faster.

I don't think it's much of a problem - and if it is, you could switch to a short scale. In my experience, my crooked fingers are much worse than small hands. I have long, skinny fingers, but they bend and twist in some crazy ways, making a lot of things quite difficult - but possibly making some things easier at the same time. My index and middle fingers bend inward towards my ring and pinky, which also bend inwards, which makes stretching rather problematic at times. I also have a lot of trouble barring notes as well. Sometimes these things really bother me, but I've come to realize it really effects the way I play, which contributes to me developing more of an individual style, so it's not all bad.

I would call a bass instructor and ask him if he's taught people with smaller hands, for example, kids. If he has experience in that area and seems knowledgable on the subject you might be able to learn a lot about technique and maximizing your potential in maybe just a few lessons.

I don't come off as a prick here. Would there be a problem if I just get a regular bass?

My arms a long enough to hold a regular bass...

no. end of story.

Short scae would definatly be the way to go for you if your hands are that small. I have regular sized hands with short thick fingers. I find short scale much more comfortable to play. and can play much longer without hand strain or fatigue. Therefor you can work on your technique more with better results and less pain in your hands and fingers. As far as Short scales sounding like S#*T. You my friend are not playing the right short scale. I am not trying to plug any thing her but search for Profesional quality short scale basses, and you will find short scale basses that are excelent in the sound department and I would put them up against a regular scale any time. They are expensive, but you get what you pay for. There are cheep alternatives if you are just getting started, they will tend to sound not as good as mentioned in the erlier post. There is nothing wrong with using the regular scale either, just keep in mind that it will not be comfortable for you and you will have to shift position and alter your technique more due to the limited reach of your small hand. You will find that your hand will cramp up more quickly and you won't be able to play it as long. Technique is the most inportant cobntributor to a good bass sound. So you will need to practise:bassist:! practise:bassist:! practise:bassist:! and play your bass as much as you can:bassist:! to develop your technique and inprove your Bass sound.

Just My Thoughts
ArcBassBear

Is this a convention for small scale bass manufacturers or do you people just not pay attention?

Okay, I bought a Jazz Bass, the regular kind, not short scale. The only problem with it, which I am sure I will overcome eventually, or not, is that when I am playing a chord. My fingers don't stretch that far. So, as time goes on, I will see how things go.

Okay, I bought a Jazz Bass, the regular kind, not short scale. The only problem with it, which I am sure I will overcome eventually, or not, is that when I am playing a chord. My fingers don't stretch that far. So, as time goes on, I will see how things go.

Some chords are harder to play than others. It's all about how you position your hand for the sake of both safety and efficiency. The stretch of your fingers comes down a lot to technique. Here is a little secret most people on here seem to have no understanding of at all. The stretch of your fingers is about the distance between the tip of your index finger and the tip of your pinky when you open your hand up, not on the width of your palm and not entirely about the length of your fingers. That doesn't mean you have to keep your fingers all in a straight line either. Just make sure that you keep your wrist straight and don't put it in a position that puts pressure on it.

Be careful though, you are going to get a lot of disappointed responses from the short scale enthusiasts who think proper technique is less important than having a teeny weeny little itsy bitsy bass. They are also going to ask you why on earth you would want to play chords on bass.

When I am playing F and G on the E string, my fingers look all crooked because I have to stretch them out. And I can't really push down on G with my pinky because then I get a fret buzz.

Some chords are harder to play than others. It's all about how you position your hand for the sake of both safety and efficiency. The stretch of your fingers comes down a lot to technique. Here is a little secret most people on here seem to have no understanding of at all. The stretch of your fingers is about the distance between the tip of your index finger and the tip of your pinky when you open your hand up, not on the width of your palm and not entirely about the length of your fingers. That doesn't mean you have to keep your fingers all in a straight line either. Just make sure that you keep your wrist straight and don't put it in a position that puts pressure on it.

Be careful though, you are going to get a lot of disappointed responses from the short scale enthusiasts who think proper technique is less important than having a teeny weeny little itsy bitsy bass. They are also going to ask you why on earth you would want to play chords on bass.

Oh about that Chord thing, that was a mistake. But other than that, just read what i wrote above :D

How about trying both short, medium and standard scale basses and numerous neck profiles and nut-width ? People sure do get preachy when it comes to scale length: you should get what is comfortable for you at first. I've had a short scale bass as my main bass for years and it had good tone (altough I like normal 34" scale better).

Sure, technique can do wonders, but why get somethign unwiedly you won't enjoy struggling with at first ?

When I am playing F and G on the E string, my fingers look all crooked because I have to stretch them out. And I can't really push down on G with my pinky because then I get a fret buzz.

Where is your thumb? Behind your index finger or between your pinky and index?

When I am playing F and G on the E string, my fingers look all crooked because I have to stretch them out. And I can't really push down on G with my pinky because then I get a fret buzz.

Keep your thumb in the center of the back of the neck and make your hand act like a "C" Clamp with the side of the neck pointed right below the knuckles on the hand. The fret buzzing is happening because you're not pushing hard enough with your pinky, so if correcting the form doesn't work, you might have to do some resistance training.

Where is your thumb? Behind your index finger or between your pinky and index?

Its behind my index finger.



And what do you mean center of the back neck? The center of the entire neck or between my two fingers?

No. Period.
+1

hey shade, out of sheer impertinent curiosity, how tall are you?

Its behind my index finger.



And what do you mean center of the back neck? The center of the entire neck or between my two fingers?

That is your entire problem then. If I do what you are doing that is all I can span my hand too. If I am going to play the note F and move up to G# to play with my pinky, my thumb is rested about where the fist dot marker is, or between the second and third frets.

Hey. it took me like a month or two before i could use my pinky efficiently, thats not unusual.
and those top frets used to look impossible.

"Carnies. Circus folk. Nomads, you know. Smell like cabbage. Small hands."

-Actor Mike Myers as Austin Powers


I've been told by many people in my circle (and for better or worse, very few of them are carnies) that I have pretty big hands, but I'm still new to the bass and have trouble with certain stretches, especially when chording.

Though a standard electric guitar player, Pat Metheny is one of the most tasteful technical wizards I've ever seen or heard. He has some of the smallest hands I've seen on a guitar player, and his guitars are about standard size.

It's not about the size of the hand, but the motion of the ocean...of fingers.

hey shade, out of sheer impertinent curiosity, how tall are you?

5'4"

"That is your entire problem then. If I do what you are doing that is all I can span my hand too. If I am going to play the note F and move up to G# to play with my pinky, my thumb is rested about where the fist dot marker is, or between the second and third frets."

Ah, I will try that.


When I play the top frets, sometimes my fingers go on the A, D, and G strings. How do I fix that?

Usually, that's not a problem unless you are trying to play open chords. I tend to allow my fingers to touch the other strings from muting purposes.

Alright, thanks. I guess I just have to move quicker

Exactly how small? Give us numbers. The range that was being discussed was 2"-2.9", 1st percentile for men, 5th for women. Are you in that range?
Just measured them (cause I'm a good sport) at almost exactly 2.9", but my point wasn't about statistical pecentiles (as you seem to want to now narrow commenter's to a specific criteria for their input) it was that if I can with my small hands navigate successfully an instrument with a neck the size of an aircraft carrier than it should mean that folks with similar hand characteristics shouldn't immediately be intimidated by a standard size 4 or 5 string bass (which when I play my four strings seem like toothpicks now that I am fully acclimated to the seven).
Who said ONLY solution? We're talking about OPTIONS. Very different.
Perhaps I am misreading your comment (I don't see any point in focusing on anyone else in this thread as you were the one who asked me questions about my reply). But I took this:
I'd still recommend a short scale bass to at least start out on. It'll give you a better chance of getting the right techniques down. Go with what's comfortable, because you want to be able to put in a lot time with the instrument.
as a firm recommendation of short scale basses.
Not talking about 3/4 size- that's the standard size. Talking about the 1/2 sizes. They exist for violins to, so nothing to do with height there (in the case of violin) Morever, the point is that for kids and smaller adults, there are options to make playing more comfortable.
Yeesh...so I got one little incident of misreading the posts. Sue me.
To be clear NO ONE has said "The only bass a small hand person can play is a small scale".
I'll give you this one although based on the quote from you above I might still disagree with you just a tad.

I am also just a little curious if you missed my post's close that this was all "IMHO".

As with your posts I was simply trying to give my perspective. Folks often think that the advice they give is the only advice folks should take and when it is challenged react strongly to the challenger. I think you were in fact giving your perspective with all good intent and my effort to not single out posters by name but simply refering to the seemingly strong advice to "start with a short scale". I am playing devils advocate for sure. It is partly based on my own experience as a young man and my long term experience as a player (40 years and going strong). Often younger players will listen to or emulate folks they believe know more than they do. Often times they will also start with an instrument and stay with it for countless years, afraid to change or experiment on thier own (this is particularly true if they have some limited success as a musician). I offered my opinion based on this so that it was clear that it could be done and if they wish to start with an instrument of fuller size that with time and effort it was an achievable alternative.

I also remember the early days when legendary bass players often had tremendous hands to boot. Us small guys often had a self imposed concern that we couldn't possibly do some of the more challenging techniques because our hands were "too small". I once even had a fellow tell me that I really should just give up bass and play guitar because I could never play like Stanley or Jaco because my hands were "like a girls".

So take offense at my post if you will. Accuse me of not being "qualified" to comment because my hands might not be within the range of discussion. Point out my inaccuracies if that makes you feel better. I came to help nothing more and I stand by my experience and the comments I gave.

Spin out.

So take offense at my post if you will. Accuse me of not being "qualified" to comment because my hands might not be within the range of discussion. Point out my inaccuracies if that makes you feel better. I came to help nothing more and I stand by my experience and the comments I gave.


No offense taken, just having a lively discussion! My main issue with the whole thread is that folks are making generalizations about short scales, as though they would ruin a person for playing them.

One of the funnier sentiments is "what is this a short scale manufacturers convention? " - as if the majority opinion is to use a short scale! So in other words, if two or three people out of all the posters on this thread think a short scale is a good idea, that means they're sandbagging? That's amazing! It's just goes along with my statements that some folks are so trigger-happy when it comes to the short scale debate, that ANY dissention among the sacred rule that "small hands don't need short scales" is a sin!

To be clear, I MOSTLY recommend sticking it out on a regular scale. What drew me into the conversation was the original estimate of 2 inches. It further got me interested in the percentiles becaue I suspect that a lot of folks who think they have tiny hands, are actually within normal range of the median.

I have nothing against you Spin, just used some of your comments to riff my ideas off of. I do want to say again, just to be clear, I was saying short scales are an option, not the rule!

Peace.

As I said I believe and trust that your intentions were as good as mine. Let bygones be bygones and peace back atcha brother!

I should also clarify that I have no problem with short scale basses either and if I ever find a Dan Electro like the one I had in highschool for awhile I would buy because it was a very cool looking and playing bass and I wouldn't mind hanging one on my wall for nostaglia sake. I also should clarify that as an instrument choice many folks have found value in short scale instruments. However for the purpose of starting out, unless they are a child where I would argue that the short scale may at certain physical states be the rough equivalent of a full size (I suppose taking a lesson from the Suzukee method for 4 year old violinists) but that is a recommendation I would only make to a child of say 13 or less years. Even then I have seen kids of that age (kids I have taught), with even smaller statures than any size adult, do remarkable things without even batting an eye. I suppose its because no one told them they couldn't (I certainly didn't) and they just kept at it until they mastered that giant instrument.

Nonetheless lively this was and hopefully helpful to the OP.

Spin

Okay, I bought a Jazz Bass, the regular kind, not short scale. The only problem with it, which I am sure I will overcome eventually, or not, is that when I am playing a chord. My fingers don't stretch that far. So, as time goes on, I will see how things go.

Looks like I got here a bit late to chime in, but that's what I was going to recommend. My hands are 3" across (just whipped out the ruler 'n everything), and when I first expressed interest in playing bass a musician friend said, "oh, your hands are too small for bass, play guitar instead!"

Instead, I hit the music store and tried out as many basses as I could to get a feel for what was comfortable. I wound up with a P Bass Special, which has a Jazz neck. I had some streching problems at first too, but as I practice, I notice my reach improving. Just give it some time ;)

That measurement guide is interesting. Thanks for linking.

Well. I'm playing it now. The stretching is still a problem, like I can't make my pinky push down hard enough, and when i do push it down, i can't make my index. So what I have been doing is just using my index finger and going up and down the neck to play the notes, its this a good way or a bad way?

Well. I'm playing it now. The stretching is still a problem, like I can't make my pinky push down hard enough, and when i do push it down, i can't make my index. So what I have been doing is just using my index finger and going up and down the neck to play the notes, its this a good way or a bad way?

This sounds like either your form is still wrong or your fingers aren't strong enough. My guess is probably both. Here is what you do to fix this.

Get yourself some masking tape and put it straight down the middle of the neck from the headstock to the body of the bass. For now on at all times keep your thumb on this line flat and perpendicular to the neck. The part of your thumb you rest on it will be half way between your thumb knuckle and the tip of the thumb. Now practice scales slowly and slowly incorporate techniques to playing like this.
Go SLOW AND DO NOT EXPECT IT TO BECOME SECOND NATURE OVER NIGHT.

And whatever you do, don't go back to your old ways.

Listen to Martin...his advice (and clever idea) are right on!

Spin

This sounds like either your form is still wrong or your fingers aren't strong enough. My guess is probably both. Here is what you do to fix this.

Get yourself some masking tape and put it straight down the middle of the neck from the headstock to the body of the bass. For now on at all times keep your thumb on this line flat and perpendicular to the neck. The part of your thumb you rest on it will be half way between your thumb knuckle and the tip of the thumb. Now practice scales slowly and slowly incorporate techniques to playing like this.
Go SLOW AND DO NOT EXPECT IT TO BECOME SECOND NATURE OVER NIGHT.

And whatever you do, don't go back to your old ways.


Yes Sir!

T...at 2.9 inches, the corrected size, I still think a short scale neck would be more comfortable. I didn't say it' the only way to have proper technique. I'm talking about comfort, which leads to longer playing. And I'm also saying, as a beginner-to start off with. In other words, upgrade to regular scale after the technique's been honed on a more comfortable bass.

It's done on the upright, that's why they have 1/2 size. The whole violin family does it that way too, for that matter.

+1

I teach strings to elementary school kids, and I teach electric bass to young adults. What Sahm asserts here is correct. There is a huge range in people's size, even adults. Most adults can use a full-sized instrument, but IMHO, kids, small adolescents, and very small adults will do a lot better with a smaller instrument, especially when starting out.

I think if a beginning player can reach frets 1 2 3 and 4 all at once on the D or A strings, the instrument is probably OK. I am assuming that the player is given time to position his/her fingers on those frets, not that they can play fluently with guitar-style fingerings.

However, a modified double bass-style fingering can also work on electric, making a longer scale manageable by very small hands, but that is a long topic. Just keep in mind that the double bass typically has a ~42 to ~43 inch scale length, and significantly thicker strings with higher action that the electric. Yet many 7th graders studying bass use regular-sized basses. With double bass, the technique requires strength, but not a longer reach than an 34" scale electric. However, one can only reach 3 semitones in a position, not four---but I digress.

An instrument that is too large can be a problem, especially with the double bass and the violin family, but it is less serious on a fretted instrument. On unfretted bowed instruments, intonation and bow handling are compromised it the instrument is too big. On the electric, it simply means much more shifting and a loss of some efficiency. The main effect is to slow progress.

A person with "small hands" can and should play a 34" scale. Most students conclude their hands are too small during the first two weeks of study--they eventually see otherwise. It's those with truly exceptionally small hands that might really benefit, at least in the beginning, from short scale. All IMHO. :bassist:

most bassist with small hands quit and play guitar but i say keep with it

Some will reccommend a short scale bass for someone with small hands.

Some will say "no, people with small hands are in no way limited to only small scale basses."

Some will say regular scale basses sound much better than short scales.

It's all a matter of personal preference. It all boils down to what you're comfortable with. No one else, you. To the OP, now it's your duty to practice and get those finger muscles strong enough to play that bass. To anyone else searching this thread for answers, just try different basses and see what's best for you. Keep in mind though, that it may take a while to get used to a regular scale bass if you're just starting out. You may be glad that you chose a regular scale once you're used to it b/c you might like the tone better.

I have been playing on a regular fretless, and I'm about to get a fretted short-scale, simply because my fingers are so strong now that I'm a beast on the short-scale. I also like the way a SS sounds, it kind of forces its way into the mix, but I'll always have my other bass for a more traditional sound. I also like the tight string grouping on 5 stringers, but prefer 4 strings, and a SS has a tight grouping.

Some will reccommend a short scale bass for someone with small hands.

Some will say "no, people with small hands are in no way limited to only small scale basses."

Some will say regular scale basses sound much better than short scales.

It's all a matter of personal preference. It all boils down to what you're comfortable with. No one else, you. To the OP, now it's your duty to practice and get those finger muscles strong enough to play that bass. To anyone else searching this thread for answers, just try different basses and see what's best for you. Keep in mind though, that it may take a while to get used to a regular scale bass if you're just starting out. You may be glad that you chose a regular scale once you're used to it b/c you might like the tone better.

I have been playing on a regular fretless, and I'm about to get a fretted short-scale, simply because my fingers are so strong now that I'm a beast on the short-scale. I also like the way a SS sounds, it kind of forces its way into the mix, but I'll always have my other bass for a more traditional sound. I also like the tight string grouping on 5 stringers, but prefer 4 strings, and a SS has a tight grouping.

I agree with you that it's a matter of preference. However with regard to people having problems with reach I really think that there is a tendency to jump to the conclusion that the person should switch to a short scale bass. This thread is a great example when you consider that the OP related to me that they were using poor left hand technique by having their thumb behind their index finger while trying to reach across frets with their pinky. All this after post after post recommended the OP get a short scale bass. The problem is that even with a short scale bass the technical problem would have still been there.

At the end of the day it's nice to suggest someone try a short scale bass but I think it's another thing to say it will correct underlying technical problems without first looking at the technique the person has in the first place.