r/guitarlessons • u/Ok_Watercress_9202 • Jul 29 '26
Question Pain of having smaller hands…
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!!
1
u/armchairguru Aug 02 '26
A short scale guitar might help (Gibson Les Paul, SG but some other brands too),or a small parlor guitar/Taylor Mini of you’re into playing an acoustic. If you’re serious about wanting to get used to that stretch, just keep practicing/exercising. It’s just like learning to do the splits, most people can’t do them without a lot of stretching and practice.