Are big hands necessary?

[thebassace111]

Are big hands necessary for bass guitar? I have small-average hands and I was wondering in technical skills is it harder? Are there any famous bassists with average hands?

Cheers

[Tony G]

No, I would not say they are necessary. I wouldn't call my hands big at all. They are average maybe, but sometimes I wish my fingers were a little longer. Overall though, just find an instrument that feels comfortable to play, and you will learn on it just fine. There are far to many different basses available to just settle on something that doesn't feel completely comfortable to you.

[sublime0bass]

i once held my hand up to victor wootens, and mine was bigger

for reference, i can lay a ball point pen across 4 fingers of my handspan

[elpelotero]

i met dave larue and he wasn't a big tall guy with huge hands or anything, but i've never seen anyone shred a bass like he did live that day.

[Mudder]

There's a guy on youtube that has a genetic issue where the fingers on his fretting hand are deformed but he's a witch on the bass.

[anonymous02282011]

no

[Commreman]

No. Get on with it. Go practice and don't make any excuses. Bill Clements proves that Two hands aren't necessary, let alone big hands!

[Baryonyx]

Steve Bailey has tiny hands (source: Bass Extremes Live dvd) and he is an absolute master of the 6 string fretless. Case closed!

[nastyn8c]

Not on a 4. On a 6, it definitely helps me a lot.

[MarkMyWordsXx]

there are advantages to both big and small hands. idealy(for bass anyway) i wish my left hand was huge andmy right hand was medium to small. to the left hand could cover more ground and the right hand would still have the ability to deak with narrow string spacings and thing slike that.

a small left hand has its advantages too. you can move faster and you can have a lighter touch.

as with everything in life, its about how you look at it

[TFunkadelic]

Originally Posted by MarkMyWordsXx

you can move faster and you can have a lighter touch.

What makes you say that? I have massive hands and great dexterity/coordination to boot.

That said, it's what you make of what you've got.

[davefarrell]

when you think about it really if you were born with small hands what difference would it make. if you dont' know any different than how can it hold you back any

[MirageBass]

Nope. I got small hands.

Not sure what finger length has to contribute, though.

[papadesophie]

My nan always said 'small hands = big heart'.
she knew nothing about bass playing though. I have small hands and I am a sh*t bassist, but not because I have small hands.......just because I'm sh*t.

[southpaw420]

My hands are actually pretty small and I dont have any trouble playing. It was very hard to get used to in the beginning but thats how it is with everything. With alot of practice you get used to stretching out your fingers into what may now seem like uncomfortable positions. It also has alot to do with the feel of the instrument like the neck and string spacing. I guess the big hands wouldnt hurt though

[JeffTheBig]

no. my handa are small and i can still play a monster sixer with ease from wrist to tip of middle finger is only 8 inches.

[sully]

There are only two things that I am scared of. Nuclear war and Carnies...small hands, smell like cabbage...

But seriously,

Bill Wyman form the Stones has small hands. It didn't seem to stop him from creating great bass lines. A short scale bass may be something worth considering as well.

[Lalabadie]

It is NOT necessary. I would however suggest using the same hands you were born with, just to make sure you're familiar with them.

[Vin_MM_Sabre_79]

When I was a wee little bass player I had a great book by Tony Oppenheim. He has the stumpiest little hobbit fingers you ever did see.

You shouldnt need a small scale bass but its a respectable option. Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads) used a F. Mustang - v. close to F. Precision sound.

[g00eY]

My hands are average/small, but my fingers are really short. I still get along just fine.