Small hands a problem?

[Jim Carr]

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.

 

[FunkeyMunkey]

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

 

[SpaceYourBass]

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.

 

[mutedeity]

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.