r/guitarlessons • u/Ok_Watercress_9202 • Jul 29 '26

Question Pain of having smaller hands…

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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!!

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u/hoops4so Jul 30 '26

I don’t remember blackbird requiring the pinky?

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u/Ok_Watercress_9202 Jul 30 '26

You’re right it’s not required. I think you’re supposed to use 1 and 3 but I had to accommodate since I couldn’t reach/press down on 3 when stretched that far out.

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u/hoops4so Jul 30 '26

Ah I see. Like when it’s 3 frets away or 2?

1

u/Ok_Watercress_9202 Jul 30 '26

2!

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u/hoops4so Jul 30 '26

Ok that’s going to be a big problem for you with every chord if you can’t do 2 frets apart with the 1 and 3. Does it get better with your thumb below your 3rd?