Small hands a problem?

[Dr Stankface]

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.

 

[mutedeity]

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.

 

[amandolin]

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:

His fingers may have been pudgy, but they were hardly short.

 

[Sahm]

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)

 

[Dennis098]

Gibson SG
Fender Mustang
Hofners

not all short scales sound like crap

 

[spindizzy]

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

 

[Sahm]

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".

 

[Xerion]

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

 

[Bassbasixx]

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.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

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.

 

[lm183902]

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.

 

[mrjim123]

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.

 

[Connor]

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.

 

[Arcbassbear]

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! practise! practise! and play your bass as much as you can! to develop your technique and inprove your Bass sound.

Just My Thoughts
ArcBassBear

 

[mutedeity]

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

 

[Shade13]

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.

 

[mutedeity]

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.

 

[Shade13]

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.

 

[Shade13]

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

 

[BillyRay]

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 ?