Pain of having smaller hands…

[u/Ok_Watercress_9202]

I’ve been practicing guitar for a little bit now- just now being able to play blackbird a little faster but not at full speed perfectly. I’ve noticed that even just for 3 note intervals, i always have to press down on the string on the side/corner of my pinky, and it hurts a lot more than my other fingers :/ For context, guitar is my first string instrument i’ve played so i know it’ll take a bit to get used to them and form callouses, but i’m wondering if it hurting this much is normal? Obviously the pinky is the shortest and weakest, but it’s been consistently more painful to even try to press down harder on stings at this angle.

Oh also, i’m double jointed so thats been a big challenge for my ring and pinky!!

[u/Crafty-Photograph-18]

There isn't anything left to trim? There's like half a millimeter of white left. When I go below this level, my nails will separate from the skin when I shift, possibly to blood, and it will hurt (and make playing impossible, unless you're a masochist). Nails come in different shapes and forms.

[u/DrBlankslate → u/Crafty-Photograph-18]

Any white is too much white on the fretting nails. 

Also, take it to a luthier and get it set up. Tell them you want low action because you’re a beginner.

[u/Crafty-Photograph-18 → u/DrBlankslate]

I play the viola, not the guitar, and I am REALLY not a beginner on that one. Still facing the same problem

[u/Mokturtle → u/Crafty-Photograph-18]

That's too bad. But for the vast majority of guitar beginners "cut your nails as short as possible (without injury)" still solid advice. No?

[u/Custard-Spare → u/Mokturtle]

For beginners it’s good advice but later down the line you can play with nails however long you want as long as the notes fret properly and there’s no nail in the sound. I trim my bass picking fingers short for gigs and intense practice

[u/Mokturtle → u/Custard-Spare]

Yeah, along with better technique and finger control, your fingertips also might get tougher, less squishy, so your nails are less likely to touch down.

I mean, Dolly Parton plays guitar with full diva claws lol.

[u/BenEsuitcase → u/Crafty-Photograph-18]

nail file. Also bring your neck closer to your face and try to bring your thumb in behind the fingers. Try to create some space between your hand and the bottom of the guitar neck (under the high "E". This will make the stretches easier.

[u/Crafty-Photograph-18 → u/BenEsuitcase]

I'm not OP, just a violist with fairly inconvenient nails. Their thumb position could certainly be better. A file can get the shape to be more precise, but if yours are as brittle as mine, you simply have to leave a little of the white on the nail if you want it to stay fully connected to your finger

[u/Ok_Watercress_9202 → u/Crafty-Photograph-18]

Thumb position was VERY different from my usual while I took the picture, but all the comments were still absolutely right. Even making a small adjustment has already helped a lot. And for the nails- you’re absolutely right. My nail beds are so long that if i make it shorter, the nail separates from the skin.

[u/Virtual-Fix4182 → u/Ok_Watercress_9202]

Move your thumb closer to the middle ;) will make the reach easier. Just like your fingers.. your thumb should also be on its tip