any tips for us apes with big fingers


burtvader
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burtvader
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12/03/2007 2:07 am
hey. i'm not sure how many of you experience this but it seems like my fingers are way too big for the guitar. i'm really having trouble with chords in particular. any tips would be greatly appreciated.
# 1
BrokenJera
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BrokenJera
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12/03/2007 2:39 am
search all the forums here with the search button up top. there are tons of things already said about this topic.

im not mad at you for asking but i think almost everyon who tries to learn to play either thinks their hands are way too big or way too small.

now listen close, just relax look around and soak up as much knowledge as you can. if you still need help or your questions, private message me or one of the teachers or even one of the guys with a lot of rep(the little green boxes by thier name at the top of one of their posts) or even just post your questions direct.
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# 2
Weslaba
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Weslaba
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12/03/2007 3:10 am
Originally Posted by: burtvaderit seems like my fingers are way too big for the guitar.

You're really getting no pity points from myself. :rolleyes: Only time will help this problem most likely, and it could be worse... you might lack the ability to reach the low E without straining something. Maybe invest in a thicker neck. Hendrix had Ape hands like no other and hid did alright, not too mention SRV had hands like a bear. He man-handled the neck like Roid Ragin' Bonds with his bat. :D
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# 3
hunter1801
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hunter1801
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12/03/2007 6:02 am
Look for guitars with bigger necks and fatter frets. I know Jackson offers a lot of 2x Jumbo fret guitars.
# 4
R. Shackleferd
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R. Shackleferd
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12/03/2007 6:50 am
If in fact you do have comparatively big hands (for we all think they're big in the beginning when trying to squeeze multiple fingers closely together), I'd say just be an optimist about it.
Bigger hands may have given you the gift of inherent above average strength compared to more wiry/skinny fingers and hands. Thus, you might be less prone to fret buzz from weak pressure, or be able to do wide string bends while adding vibrato with ease. Someone already mentioned SRV having "hands like a bear"...this certainly facilitated being able to use heavy string gauges (that were vital to his full sounding tone), yet still he was able to bend, hammer-on/pull-off, or just plain fret them with a commanding strength.
Of course muscle memory, techniques, and even individual finger strength and dexterity won't come without practice...but perhaps you already have some advantages to getting there.
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# 5
ren
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ren
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12/03/2007 11:01 am
Yup - I've got big hands... and I don't have any problems with guitar. Like the others said, you'll find a way.

One tip on chords - try re-ordering your fingers and see if that helps. For example, I play an open A chord using my middle finger on the D string, index on the G and ring on the B...

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# 6
Superhuman
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Superhuman
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12/03/2007 12:34 pm
I'm the same, got big shovel hands, if anything it helps me to do bigger stretches - I can reach from the 12th to 19th fret for hammer ons :cool:
Also great for punching people with - in the dojo that is! :D
# 7
burtvader
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burtvader
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12/05/2007 2:06 am
when i say "big" i mean like "fat" big. however i have been noticing that i can hold down two strings at once. and i dont get that "string burn" i hear a lot of people get. of course that might be because i play the bass as well...
# 8
burtvader
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burtvader
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12/05/2007 2:10 am
when i say "big" i mean like "fat" big. but as i've been practicing i've noticed that i can hold down two or more strings with no problem. i've also noticed that i dont get the dreaded string burn i hear a lot of people complain about. I guess i'll play the cards i'm dealt... lol
# 9
michaelferris
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michaelferris
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12/19/2007 1:28 am
Having big fingers is typically a great advantage as a guitarist. You should consider yourself lucky. It is probably your hand position that is incorrect if you are having problems. You just need to use the tips of your fingers, as well as the fact that you don't have to press very hard. Most great guitarists have HUGE hands, so at least you have that advantage.
# 10
uncleslinky
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uncleslinky
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12/26/2007 8:02 pm
My fingers are long and find it a great advantage. Helps so much with streches. It's not really as hassle to form chord shapes... I prefer to have to maybe twist my wrist or fingers a little more than to not be able to reach the patterns at all!
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# 11
Blackmore16
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Blackmore16
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12/27/2007 8:50 pm
Use it as an advantage
# 12

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