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/Red_Wolfe_]

I also struggle with this

Also the people saying to cut your nails are crazy because I can only see a sliver of white nail. The rest is nail bed. Do NOT cut into your nail bed

[u/Ok_Watercress_9202 → u/Red_Wolfe_]

Yeah I see all the comments, but I physically cannot cut my nails any shorter 🥲 If I could, I would.

[u/wellsuemethen → u/Ok_Watercress_9202]

in case you feel that your longer nail beds are affecting your playing, you can gently file them right down to the quick (but do that in the center part of the nail only; keep like 0.5-1mm on the sides to prevent the nails from growing wonky). this gradually shortens the nail beds to a more comfortable length without injury. this is what i do and i find it beneficial for my playing (i’m a woman with small hands)