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Hand Size
- Thread starter James Collins
- Start date
19 cm without overstretching. So 7.5 inch tops.
Thing is, I wouldn't know which is better. I only got this one left hand to try out.
Thing is, I wouldn't know which is better. I only got this one left hand to try out.
Well I screwed up your poll. I read the title and measured index to pinky, because that seemed more relevant. But even that is questionable, because you're not measuring your comfortable span in a playing position.
So my pinky to thumb is 24.8cm, pinky to index is 17.1cm, and my "playing span" is ~10.7cm, or not enough to play frets 1-4 without moving my hand.
So my pinky to thumb is 24.8cm, pinky to index is 17.1cm, and my "playing span" is ~10.7cm, or not enough to play frets 1-4 without moving my hand.
And to everyone saying hand size (more accurately: finger length) doesn't matter, you're full of it. Larger hands are absolutely an advantage over smaller hands. But size isn't the only factor. Skeletal structure, joint flexibility, skin flexibility, injuries, etc. all have an effect, too. So save me your sanctimonious, "if I can, anyone can" BS, because that simply isn't true. Someone with small hands and great flexibility may be more capable that someone with large hands and some other limiting factor, but that doesn't mean anyone of any hand size can do everything.
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I want to point out that this thread was more about gauging what hand sizes are out there. With that in mind and with this being an easier size to Google for basketball players and musicians (Bach, Rachmaninoff, etc), I didn't really care about the idea of "comfortable playing span" between the index and small finger. I really just wanted a poll of hand size so when someone is saying they have small hands and need a 30" bass, you could ask the objective question: are your hands really smaller than average.
Someone with 17cm hands is going to have a much different technique and benefit from a shorter scale than someone with 30cm hands. Also someone with a 26cm span is probably going to easily play 1 finger per fret even in the 1st position.
I have average sized hands on the poll...right in the middle 22.1cm. My index to small finger span (17.1cm) is the same max stretched and fretting notes...though I wouldn't stretch like that playing most notes. But there are a couple of songs I play that require it, at least on guitar. All involve holding chords. One example frets from the second fret to the seventh fret.
On a bass I can fret the 1st fret and stretch to fret the 5th fret a couple mm short of the actual fret.
Again this isn't supposed to be about judging hand sizes good or bad. It is about comparing hand size.
Someone with 17cm hands is going to have a much different technique and benefit from a shorter scale than someone with 30cm hands. Also someone with a 26cm span is probably going to easily play 1 finger per fret even in the 1st position.
I have average sized hands on the poll...right in the middle 22.1cm. My index to small finger span (17.1cm) is the same max stretched and fretting notes...though I wouldn't stretch like that playing most notes. But there are a couple of songs I play that require it, at least on guitar. All involve holding chords. One example frets from the second fret to the seventh fret.
On a bass I can fret the 1st fret and stretch to fret the 5th fret a couple mm short of the actual fret.
Again this isn't supposed to be about judging hand sizes good or bad. It is about comparing hand size.
26.5 cm to the thumb, 20 cm to the index finger.
FWIW I rank technique and practice pretty highly as well.
At 69 years old the arthritis in my hands has ramped up to the point that I’ve adjusted my practice regimen in order to stave off switching from 34” scale to short scale. This is not because I consider short scale in any way inferior (I have liked many of those I’ve owned/played) but because for now I have two great basses that I don’t want to give up.
FWIW I rank technique and practice pretty highly as well.
At 69 years old the arthritis in my hands has ramped up to the point that I’ve adjusted my practice regimen in order to stave off switching from 34” scale to short scale. This is not because I consider short scale in any way inferior (I have liked many of those I’ve owned/played) but because for now I have two great basses that I don’t want to give up.
I think the polls 1 cm range of 23-24 cm while the others are 2 cm ranges is throwing off the expected normal distribution look.
For me, 8.6" thumb tip to pinky tip. And, 6" index to pinky. I have wider palms, shorter fingers and can't spread them out very far.
- John
For me, 8.6" thumb tip to pinky tip. And, 6" index to pinky. I have wider palms, shorter fingers and can't spread them out very far.
- John
Haha! I only just noticed it. No way to go back but it explains the curve...
I think it still serves to answer my question. Average is in the 21-23cm range, and most people fall within 2cm of that. Given that bass scales benefit from larger hands, there is a tendency for more people with bigger than 26cm than smaller than 19cm. That may just be human variety, but I assume there is a selection bias that would make the results of hand size bigger on average for bass or piano than ukulele or violin.
My next question based on this poll would be of people with hand size less than 20cm, what scale base do you play. I bet it is mostly 34" by a wide margin.
i have smaller (ish?) hands. big whup. if your fingers can reach to end of themselves = you're fine. same for other body parts.
I’m about 9”/22.8 cm. I like a Jazz neck, 34” scale; but “small hands” never really crossed my mind. I’ve played similar spec basses for almost 20 years; so I think it’s the string spacing/ muscle memory more than anything. My acoustic guitar is wider, but I am very comfortable on that as well.
Meh.
I mimicked holding a bass in a comfortable stretch ( read: realistic for me ) and measured from my ring finger to my pointer. It's right at 4 inches (10cm). I guess I have small hands
I've never thought about it much and oddly, I prefer a big ole fender baseball bat neck.
I mimicked holding a bass in a comfortable stretch ( read: realistic for me ) and measured from my ring finger to my pointer. It's right at 4 inches (10cm). I guess I have small hands
I've never thought about it much and oddly, I prefer a big ole fender baseball bat neck.
Both hands were the same: about 23.5cm at maximum stretch. It's uncomfortable to stretch that far for long, a more "relaxed" stretch (still stretched out but not straining) is about 22cm or so. For reference I'm about 183cm tall.
My basses are 34" scale; I'm not interested in going to longer scale.
My basses are 34" scale; I'm not interested in going to longer scale.
