Guitar size

Hi all. I'm a newbie here and posted an intro on that thread. I've done a yr with a teacher but mostly tried self teaching with books, videos and dvd's. GT may be the incentive I need for a step by step guided progression as it's motivation to pick up my guitar everyday... but, I have a question about my guitar itself. I really love the rich sound of it, but wonder sometimes if it's just too big for me. I can form a number of chords except my dreaded F's and B's. I've used it for 7 yrs now and I've gotten used to it but sometimes it feels like I'm reaching over it. In the videos no one else seems to be doing that (unless everyone else is just way taller, I'm only 5'3"). I have a smaller one but if I pick that one up it feels like a toy to me and I miss the chords because they feel too cramped. Signing up today came with a promotion of the intro learner's guitar which I assume is smaller... Does it sound like a good thing to you, for me to re-adjust my learning to this smaller guitar, and will I be able to apply what I learn to mine when I pick it up? Thanks, Evelyn

Hi Evelyn, the GT offer with the guitar, it has nylon strings and looks to be a classical style guitar so won't be that great for strumming chords if that is the case.
With regards to size. I have gone from a dreadnought guitar to a slimline mini jumbo style and much prefer it. It's still a full sized guitar, just has a smaller body.
https://www.guitarsuperstore.com/guitars/acoustic-guitars/washburn-festival-series-eat12-mini-jumbo-thinline-guitar-was0754

So something like that might do you. I basically went in the shop wanting to buy an electro acoustic Tanglewood. I didn't ask for a smaller guitar, but the sales guy was of the opinion that ladies prefer smaller bodied guitars and took it upon himself to dig out all the smaller bodied guitars for me. Thought it was a bit sexist to begin with but he was well intentioned and I actually *did* prefer playing them. Felt much more comfortable.

Yes, the guitar that is being offered now is only suitable if you are choosing to learn classical guitar.

My acoustic guitar is a regular sized dreadnaught and being 5'6", I feel like I reach around a bit...so I know what you are talking about. If acoustic guitar was my primary focus, I would seriously look a smaller bodied guitars.

JessUK98's suggestion is good to check out smaller or narrower bodied guitars.

Thank you for your responses. Sounds like I won't love the guitar they send as the promo compared to mine, so I'll not set myself up to get too excited about that. Maybe it'll be good enough to just pick at so I can do muscle memory type things on it. Mine is a dreadnought acoustic electric and I just do love how it sounds... (too bad that at my age I can't even say something stupid like, I'll grow into it lol).
I have a t-shirt that says "the one with the most guitars wins"... so I'm at 3, but only one calls me :)

Is it an issue of the guitar body being too big? If so, changing the way the guitar is held may help. See these threads; http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40291 and http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41630

A classical, or what I call a modified classical, position not only helps with a big guitar it also improves fret hand reach. A Google/Bing search will find confirming commentary.

So helpful...thank you for that iinfo. Holding the guitar in a different position is more comfortable, now just have to get used to it!!

You were so right Jess about that free guitar not being good for strumming. I'm not sure I even want to practice on it. It doesn't give any exciting positive feedback or even let the songs sound right. Any ideas as to how it might be useful in my learning? Would changing the strings help?

Honestly, unless you plan on learning classical guitar, it is useless. I was sent one as part of a "test shipment" and was not impressed as somebody that likes to strum chords on an acoustic. The action is high, the strings are widely separated, and the fretboard is very wide.

I was hoping that they would target the guitar to those wanting to learn the classical style of playing because otherwise people would just be disappointed.

Originally Posted by: buckwheat1You were so right Jess about that free guitar not being good for strumming. I'm not sure I even want to practice on it. It doesn't give any exciting positive feedback or even let the songs sound right. Any ideas as to how it might be useful in my learning? Would changing the strings help?

Fingerpicking? Flamenco style? You might get bored one day and want to learn classical guitar.
You can't put steel strung strings on a classical guitar as the neck on a classical isn't strong enough. The tension required will more than likely warp the neck. You're gonna have to stick with nylon which as you have found is not for strumming.

Well, I have my beautiful dreadnought acoustic... so I guess that is the one I love and that the one I'll stick with. At least I know it wasn't just me, or something that I was doing wrong. I like talking on forum even though I'm a new person, everyone makes it feel comfortable, thanks.