Small hands - muting strings?

[Screech]

Today I've been watching the Youtube vid on strumming http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLGoBjbq_9s

It's a great video and has helped amazingly.

I need to know though if there is a knack for someone with small hands to mute the low E string as done in the video. If I mute it with my thumb I then can't reach the other strings with my fingers to play the chord. My hand simply doesn't seem big enough although I know children play guitar - can anyone help please?

[PhilGoPoe]

I know that often when I have tried something new (like the first time I did a barred F chord) I thought it was impossible or so it seemed. But after just plugging along, (practice,practice,practice) my hand just seemed to stretch to the right places. I have often tried some different approach to getting something done, (like trying to bar a basic A chord in the home position) to find out later that just practicing the standard way got me further in the long run. Hope that helps

[ez-one]

depending on the chord that you are playing I will often let my finger that is fretting on the 5th string lightly touch the side of the 6th string to mute it, it works well for C, E, Em, ect. I also use my thumb just depends on what I am doing at the time

[Screech]

Hey thank you both for your very helpful advice!

I had read elsewhere after posting here that it was a matter of practice and more practice but then realizing after watching many strumming videos that I couldn't reach to even strum properly, we opted today to visit the local music shop and we've bought a more appropriate sized guitar. I was amazed at the difference. Just the weight to lift it alone is a nice and very easy one handed lift and I'm not struggling to keep it in position. I can reach a full arch to strum properly now and even though it will still be lots of practice to get the full finger stretches for the chords and mute etc, it will now be an obtainable goal with a little bit smaller neck.

I'll keep that in mind ez-one and thank you both very much. I'll keep practicing now to get those stretches and looking forward to playing!!!

Cheers!!!

[ez-one]

having a guitar that fits and is the right size for you is going to be a real plus. Keep at it.

[EtherCJ]

Now I'm curious .. what guitars did you go to and from?

[PhilGoPoe]

My father-in-law (awesome dude by the way) lent me a "practice" guitar when I got started. I can't remember the brand. It was in dire need of repair/adjustment. I had to wedge paper into the nut for the strings to clear and not buzz. Knowing what I know now, I might have been able to fix it or have it fixed. But, that didn't last long. My friend who plays knew how poor that guitar was, so as a gift he bought me a Blueridge BR-40AS. Blueridge guitars are made by Saga instruments (chinese). Tha AS stands for adirondack spruce. Which means it has a spruce top. Its a great guitar for the price (600-700$ US, I think). I love it. Then about a year later I purchased a used but immaculate Yngvie Malmsteen Stratocaster. I swapped out the neck. Malmsteen strats have scalloped frets, which I discovered I didn't like. Its beautiful, vintage white (I think thats what they call it) with a rosewood fretboard. I love em both and my wife is jealous of them both as well.

PS In my opinion, stay away from cheap guitars. You don't have to buy top of the line, but a cheap guitar can be really discouraging. You can buy used to save money. If guitar ends up not being your thing, its easier to sell a decent guitar VS. a cheap one.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

[Screech]

The first one is a big old EKO nicknamed 'The Beast' and it was given to me for something to practice on. It's a beautiful sounding guitar and I haven't given up on ever being able to play it - I do hope to one day. The new one is a Yamaha. There is a marked difference between the way they sound - even my untrained ear can hear it.

While there is only .mm's in difference in the neck I can now reach the tip of my thumb on that top E string so eventually I'll be able to mute where I was beginning to think it wasn't ever going to happen on the EKO cause I couldn't even tip the string. So I figure over time my reach and stretch will improve and eventually I'll be able to become friends with The Beast

The string set up (sorry I don't know the correct terminology) is a lot different on the EKO to the Yamaha... ie. there is twice the amount of distance between the strings and the fret on the EKO as there is on the Yamaha so a lot more strength needed to hold the strings down on the EKO and a lot more painful. I can only hold a chord for a couple of seconds on the EKO before the pain in my fingers gets me. It just about rips my nails from the nail bed. Its excruciating to do 5 mins practice on the EKO. So I will keep up the practice on the Yamaha simply because its not so painful. Its hurts but its not excruciating.

Definitely as you say Phil, better quality is worth it in the long run and I get what you're saying - I did jump in quick to purchase the Yamaha... but its a pretty good guitar. It sounded amazing when the guy behind the counter played it - very different when I do, so its me not so much the guitar LOL. But I will keep what you've said in mind as I'd never thought about buying a used one, so that's something to think about for future guitars.