my hands

[Olly]

My hands are too small to do some chords which spread out over 4 or more frets.
Does any one else have this problem,or any ideas how i can make my hands bigger? http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/frown.gif

[MrSamson]

I have HUGE hands...(no joke)...Cant help ya bro...

http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/devil.gif

[Fragbait]

Make sure your thumb is in the middle of the back of the fretboard and not hanging over the top. If your thumb is in the classical position.. then I can't help. http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/frown.gif

--Fragbait

[StoneDragon]

You have to learn to play within your physical limitations.... but you have to find out what those limitations are first.

Good hand position like Fragbait mentions is a must for making stretches. Relaxation is also extremely important. that is the most you can do to maximize your reach.

After that, you need to determine if trying to play a chord that spans four frets is really necessary. There are MANY different ways to voice any chord.

Anybody who thinks they got it rough ought to check out Django Reinhart (http://www.gould68.freeserve.co.uk/DjangoPhot2.html).

This guy's left hand was deformed and partially paralized in a fire when he was young. He went on to become one of the Jazz Guitar Greats using only his index and middle finger.

[Strat-n-Paul]

From the pictures in your link, it appears he got some use of his pinky too???

[ghodaddyyo]

I use this excuse all the time. I have the hands of a 14yr old. After hearing of Django and another jazz great-Frank Bruno, I had to stop making those excuses. Just use what you have and adapt. All of the suggestions here are good, but you'll do what feels comfortable anyway. Stone has some finger stretching exercises in his lesson dept., which I use all of the time. It helps.

[FUNKGRAVY]

I know it's probably frustrating, but stick with it. The more you play, the easier it will become.

[OmniAxiS]

I got some big ol hands like Samson, i can strectch from 1st fret to 7th. http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/frown.gif the suggestions in the past posts are what i would suggest though.