How to get fingers to reach frets?

My fingers do not seem long enough to reach the frets such as in a pattern requiring frets 3, 5, 7. Is there something that can be done to make that happen?

Thanks Much,
Greg

The most common response you're going to get is to just keep practicing and stretching those fingers. One exercise I try is to play a simple 1234 pattern with your fingers, then skip the pinky out to 1235, then 1236. Just mix up different stretching patterns and you'll get some more reach. Unfortunately the length of your fingers is something you're stuck with. I don't have freakishly short fingers, but they definitely aren't long, and I lose a lot of playability on the neck because of it. Kinda sucks.

A Gibson (24 3/4") scale is about 1/4" less distance from 2nd to 7th fret vs. Fender (25 1/2") scale.

I have really short fingers, and I notice a big difference switching guitars. Aside from stretching to the max, using a shorter scale guitar will physically increase your reach. Fender Mustang's have a 24" scale... I don't have the fret chart in front of me, but that's around 1/2" shorter distance from 2nd to 7th than a Strat.

http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0273706504

those 1234 then 1235 patterns may be effective but they aren't much fun. A similar stretch can be found in the opening of "Crazy Train" and its more fun to play.

And one that is still challenging me is "Back in Black"'s opening bars which will also offer come chord change practice.

I do all of the exercises too, but the songs are much more fun.

Originally Posted by: RazboA Gibson (24 3/4") scale is about 1/4" less distance from 2nd to 7th fret vs. Fender (25 1/2") scale.

I have really short fingers, and I notice a big difference switching guitars. Aside from stretching to the max, using a shorter scale guitar will physically increase your reach. Fender Mustang's have a 24" scale... I don't have the fret chart in front of me, but that's around 1/2" shorter distance from 2nd to 7th than a Strat.

http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0273706504

My Ibanez has a 24 frets, most strats I have seen have at least a couple less. Does that mean that the distance between the lower frets is longer or that there are simply more frets down on/over the body?

I have met male and female players alike with very small hands whom seem to work through this obstacle. One thing to keep in mind that playing guitar is considered a physical feat, much like being an athlete. You are doing something in a manner of technique that the human body is not necessarily meant to do (or is natural.) That being said, don't let having small hands serve as a burden at all. I have taught students with huge hands and kids with tiny hands. It boils down to practice, patience, and time. Practice your technique but more over; fall in love with the process of learning.

Originally Posted by: KFS1972My Ibanez has a 24 frets, most strats I have seen have at least a couple less. Does that mean that the distance between the lower frets is longer or that there are simply more frets down on/over the body?

I think most Ibanez are 25 1/2. Scale doesn't have anything to do with the number of frets. My 25 1/5 inch strat has 21 frets, my 24 3/4 L6 has 24.

Scale length is the distance from nut to bridge. This is best measured from the nut to the 12th fret, then doubling that number.

Originally Posted by: Douglas ShowalterI have met male and female players alike with very small hands whom seem to work through this obstacle. One thing to keep in mind that playing guitar is considered a physical feat, much like being an athlete. You are doing something in a manner of technique that the human body is not necessarily meant to do (or is natural.) That being said, don't let having small hands serve as a burden at all. I have taught students with huge hands and kids with tiny hands. It boils down to practice, patience, and time. Practice your technique but more over; fall in love with the process of learning.

True words. Somebody posted about a famed jazz guitarist with only 2 fingers. Can't remember or find the post, but that's certainly inspirational. Talk about overcoming physical limitations!

Originally Posted by: RazboTrue words. Somebody posted about a famed jazz guitarist with only 2 fingers. Can't remember or find the post, but that's certainly inspirational. Talk about overcoming physical limitations!

It was the great (greatest?) Django Reinhardt, his third and fourth fingers were almost paralyzed after an accident. He used them only to help with chords. All his solos were palyed with the first and second fingers. We have a tutorial on his style made by HP: http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=410

Carmine

Originally Posted by: carminemarottaIt was the great (greatest?) Django Reinhardt, his third and fourth fingers were almost paralyzed after an accident. He used them only to help with chords. All his solos were palyed with the first and second fingers. We have a tutorial on his style made by HP: http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=410

Carmine

That sounds about right!