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Finger Stretching

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:46 am
by rcsnydley
As I have small hands I am always looking for ways to get them to "act bigger" as it were. I am trying to get my stretch from four frets (max on a good day) to five fret (comfortably). To that end I am looking for ways to stretch out my fretting hand fingers. I am sure there are others who would also find this beneficial.
I am also sure many of you have ideas and techniques to help achieve this. As of now I have taken the caps from bottled water bottles and have put them between my fingers.
So, if anyone has any ideas or techniques to help stretch the reach of your fretting hand fingers lets hear them.

Thanks

Keep Playing
Ric

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:40 pm
by patsfan420
Hey there,
I have the same problem. It's a real bummer.

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:05 pm
by pak452
I know what you're saying. I have short fingers with arthritis starting. I would like to know how to loosen them up as well.

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:46 am
by JoeJ

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:34 pm
by rcsnydley
Thanks Joe, but for now I think I'll stick to the bottle caps. It looks like a device from a medieval torture chamber. :unsure:

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:38 pm
by haoli25
I know it's an old remedy, but it works for me. I just squeeze an old tennis ball to strengthen the muscles in the fingers. And I use the 'dreaded' 3, 4, and 5 fret stretch to improve dexterity. I just do that as I am watching the news on TV in the evening.

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:30 pm
by rcsnydley
Thanks haoli, perhaps you could tell everyone exactly what the 'dreaded' 3, 4, and 5 fret stretch you use is. I have seen one video on some exercise (I will try to find and post), so I'm wondering what you use.

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:45 pm
by haoli25
Sorry RC SNYDLEY, I guess I could have been a little more clear for the benefit of some of the new 'pickers'.

The 3 - 4 - 5 fret stretch I was taught goes like this...
Index finger to middle finger - 3 frets, index to ring finger - 4 frets, index to little finger - 5 frets. Then reverse, little finger to ring finger - 3 frets, little finger to
middle finger - 4 frets, etc. You really don't have to pluck any notes, just keep repeating the stretches.

Even now, I find it is a good warm up for my old arthritic fingers before I begin to play.

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:11 pm
by 6string
I'm thinking custom made guitar. There are lots of smaller scale guitars out there but they're usally kids or beginner guitars made of cheap materials.
I would get a smaller scale one made with top grade materials.
Have your tried playing a Parlor guitar or a Travel guitar?

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:04 pm
by rcsnydley
Thanks haoli, I am going to try that.
6string, I have not tried either a parlor or a travel guitar and my budget does not include a new guitar any time soon. Besides I would like to increase my stretch anyway as I'm sure a lot of guitarist would.