Guitar Progress [Oh, shit! I have tiny fingers!]

By OurJud · Jun 27, 2020 · ·
  1. I was horrified to discovery just now, that while I have a longer than average hand length, my fingers are at least 10mm shorter than average! Hand length of adult male, on average, is 198mm (mine is 204mm), with the middle finger measuring an average 95mm (mine is 85mm).

    No wonder I can't play the fucking guitar!

Comments

  1. Friedrich Kugelschreiber
    That's nothing.
    My hand length is 175 mm and my middle finger is only 75 mm. My middle finger is 20mm shorter than average :supercry:
    I didn't realize my hands were so pathetically small :-D
      OurJud likes this.
  2. OurJud
    And you can play the guitar?
  3. Friedrich Kugelschreiber
    Hasn't been a problem. Of course now I'll be second guessing myself.
      OurJud likes this.
  4. Malisky
    You made me measure my hand and fingers too. Wow! We got the exact same lengths. You should be glad. You don't have a shorter middle finger. You are considered to have long fingers actually which also shows in the pics you've posted. You'll be able to play the guitar. It just needs patience.

    I got a shorter index finger than most. It's a 6.5, while my ring finger is a 7.

    Size doesn't matter (and I'm a "she" :p ). It's all about dexterity and soul. ;)
      OurJud likes this.
  5. OurJud
    My! You do have big hands... for a girl.

    Not sure where you get that my fingers are considered long. The source I found suggests they're 10mm shorter than average. Kind of balances out though, cos my palm is about 7mm longer than average.
      Malisky likes this.
  6. Malisky
    I might have rushed to come into conclusions, but from your photos I concluded you've got thin, long fingers. What's your height? I think these things go together. I'm taller than the average female at 1.69 so in my case I got a bigger hand than most women, just because of that. Anyhow, your finger length is good enough to play the guitar. Perhaps guitarists with bigger hands like Buckethead have an advantage when playing, but there are tricks that we, smaller hand players come up with to mend the gaps.

    Jimi Hendrix is a great influence for me but I cannot copy his exact way of playing some chords, because yeah... He can use his thumb to press upon the lower E string while his other fingers are spread out, fretting on other strings at distances that are impossible for me, so I have to choose how I'll alter some parts or play them at alternate chord positions, going up and down the fretboard. Why not? You suit your style with what you've got.
      OurJud likes this.
  7. OurJud
    You may have mistaken some guitarist photos I've posted as examples, as being me. In fact I don't think I've posted any pics of my hands.

    Anyway, I have very square palms, and slighter shorter than average fingers. But like you say it's no real excuse. Just have to be patient.
      Malisky likes this.
  8. Steve Rivers
    Elton John got told he shouldn't play the piano because his fingers were too short.

    *Does a Morpheus impression* "Now stop trying to play the guitar and play the guitar." :D
  9. Malisky
    I just noticed that I confused you for another. :whistle: (Don't ask me how... I just could). I got same measures with @Friedrich Kugelschreiber , not with you. There goes my big hands... :p
  10. Homer Potvin
    The hands thing is super-overrated. It's like saying people with longer legs can run faster.
To make a comment simply sign up and become a member!
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice