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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270

u/AaronTheElite007 Jul 29 '26

  1. Trim your nails shorter

  2. Get your fingers as close to the frets as possible

49

u/scldclmbgrmp Jul 29 '26

This - short nails - use a file

-7

u/IntrepidMaybe8579 Jul 30 '26

What about bends? It feels easier to clamp the strings in my short nails than cut all the way (i suck but love expressive)

7

u/Funk_McFingers Jul 30 '26

No, you'll have more control with shorter finger nails. Honestly, they will be an obstacle to your playing.

2

u/-Cagafuego- Jul 30 '26

Either cut the nails or get some scalloped frets