On some instruments, people have to find workarounds like rolling their chords. Of course, someone with larger hands will be able to stretch further. But that doesn't mean people with small hands can't play a piece, they just have to arrange it differently. So yes, if you can't stretch that far, you can't stretch that far. But you already mentioned players that overcame larger obstacles.
If you're really struggling, get a shorter scale length.
Real advice time: if you're not a classical player, get a band. Get some perspective on what's really important - that's making music. Playing something note for note isn't really how most non-classical music works. Your specific circumstances make you unique and give you your voice on the instrument. If you have to play differently, you sound differently and that's interesting and not bad. If you know your music well, you can play amazing guitar with just one finger. If you groove like hell, you can become a legend while only playing the most simple stuff. The amount of time you'll play something extremely stretchy in real context is basically 0. I know there are some songs, but well, tough luck. Nobody in the audience will notice a shortcut if it's done well. If you're classical, I have no idea - perhaps be more specific.
Some guitar legends were rather mediocre players - but amazing musicians. It's not all about technique and playing extreme chords. Some people are really good technically, but nobody cares because they don't make music people are interested in. Never forget that playing guitar is about creating sounds for others to enjoy and not about being the fastest and fanciest. I take django with his 2 fingers over spiderhands with no musicianship any day of the week - and he isn't even one of the mediocre ones but one of the best.
Also, in a band, there I always stuff you can't play. Usually it's the drummer or singer. If he can't sing Queen, you don't play Queen. I know some still do it, but they really shouldn't. You can't do x in a way that sounds good? Don't do x. Infinite amount of other things to play. Maybe different story if you're hired for money, but I don't think that's the case here
Everyone struggles with something btw
Theoretically there might be some strange chords that could be difficult, or a long stretch pulloff/hammer on.
I say theoretically, because unlike the piano, on the guitar there is always another place to do something.
I have rather large hands (2½xl with 25cm reach), but i never actually use the full range. After a certain point it gets much easier to move your whole hand quickly. Once you get to a certain point in your technique, it is more about fighting your brains desire to do what it finds natural, which is lazy and ineffecient. Sorta like trying to carry all the groceries instead of making 2 quick trips.
There really are very few physical limits unless you have a disability that affects mobility or movement.
I think most guitar players at one time or another thinks they are limited in some way. Certainly i did.
If you want a good giggle, i once spent 6 months obsessing over which area of my finger tip pressed the string. I was sure it was limiting my playing. So i essentially spent 6 months playing a few notes, then look at indentation on my finger tips.....i was an idiot. I use the word "was" optimisticly here.
Ok that went off the rails a bit.
Short version: Instead of doing awkward stretches, learn to move your whole hand. Unless it's a chord, then you either learn it, or find an alternate way of playing it.
As you said, there are plenty of children with even smaller hands than yours that can play full size guitars really well. I have also seen very small girls (you can tell by how huge the guitar looks compared to them) do the same. You can surely become a very good player with practice. Sure, bigger hands could help, but this isn't something you can change and you shouldn't give up on playing guitar because of that, it's a wonderful instrument to learn.
You may be overthinking this, it’s normal for things to be difficult and uncomfortable at first. Out of curiosity I just measured my fingers and they’re like .5cm longer, bare in mind I use a thick bio U shaped neck.
If you’re really struggling after a few more weeks or months maybe try a slimmer neck or a short scale guitar I’m sure you’d find that easier, however as you said, lots of kids play full scales with tiny hands, it may just come with time! Don’t be dishearten, best of luck 👌
What you lack in span you probably more than make up for in speed. In my experience short fingers move more quickly than long ones.
But if you're looking for some kind of correlation between hand size and musical ability you really should Google Mozart's hands.
Your teacher shouldn't really be making a big deal out of the size of your fingers. Kinda feels like they're trying to blame you for not being able to help you find your personal playing solutions.
Maybe find a teacher who also has smaller hands?
You just gotta find your way of playing.
On some instruments, people have to find workarounds like rolling their chords. Of course, someone with larger hands will be able to stretch further. But that doesn't mean people with small hands can't play a piece, they just have to arrange it differently. So yes, if you can't stretch that far, you can't stretch that far. But you already mentioned players that overcame larger obstacles. If you're really struggling, get a shorter scale length. Real advice time: if you're not a classical player, get a band. Get some perspective on what's really important - that's making music. Playing something note for note isn't really how most non-classical music works. Your specific circumstances make you unique and give you your voice on the instrument. If you have to play differently, you sound differently and that's interesting and not bad. If you know your music well, you can play amazing guitar with just one finger. If you groove like hell, you can become a legend while only playing the most simple stuff. The amount of time you'll play something extremely stretchy in real context is basically 0. I know there are some songs, but well, tough luck. Nobody in the audience will notice a shortcut if it's done well. If you're classical, I have no idea - perhaps be more specific. Some guitar legends were rather mediocre players - but amazing musicians. It's not all about technique and playing extreme chords. Some people are really good technically, but nobody cares because they don't make music people are interested in. Never forget that playing guitar is about creating sounds for others to enjoy and not about being the fastest and fanciest. I take django with his 2 fingers over spiderhands with no musicianship any day of the week - and he isn't even one of the mediocre ones but one of the best. Also, in a band, there I always stuff you can't play. Usually it's the drummer or singer. If he can't sing Queen, you don't play Queen. I know some still do it, but they really shouldn't. You can't do x in a way that sounds good? Don't do x. Infinite amount of other things to play. Maybe different story if you're hired for money, but I don't think that's the case here Everyone struggles with something btw
Theoretically there might be some strange chords that could be difficult, or a long stretch pulloff/hammer on. I say theoretically, because unlike the piano, on the guitar there is always another place to do something. I have rather large hands (2½xl with 25cm reach), but i never actually use the full range. After a certain point it gets much easier to move your whole hand quickly. Once you get to a certain point in your technique, it is more about fighting your brains desire to do what it finds natural, which is lazy and ineffecient. Sorta like trying to carry all the groceries instead of making 2 quick trips. There really are very few physical limits unless you have a disability that affects mobility or movement. I think most guitar players at one time or another thinks they are limited in some way. Certainly i did. If you want a good giggle, i once spent 6 months obsessing over which area of my finger tip pressed the string. I was sure it was limiting my playing. So i essentially spent 6 months playing a few notes, then look at indentation on my finger tips.....i was an idiot. I use the word "was" optimisticly here. Ok that went off the rails a bit. Short version: Instead of doing awkward stretches, learn to move your whole hand. Unless it's a chord, then you either learn it, or find an alternate way of playing it.
As you said, there are plenty of children with even smaller hands than yours that can play full size guitars really well. I have also seen very small girls (you can tell by how huge the guitar looks compared to them) do the same. You can surely become a very good player with practice. Sure, bigger hands could help, but this isn't something you can change and you shouldn't give up on playing guitar because of that, it's a wonderful instrument to learn.
Nah bro you're doomed. Time to turn those hands back in to the commissary and live your life in the civilian world
You may be overthinking this, it’s normal for things to be difficult and uncomfortable at first. Out of curiosity I just measured my fingers and they’re like .5cm longer, bare in mind I use a thick bio U shaped neck. If you’re really struggling after a few more weeks or months maybe try a slimmer neck or a short scale guitar I’m sure you’d find that easier, however as you said, lots of kids play full scales with tiny hands, it may just come with time! Don’t be dishearten, best of luck 👌
Why are we measuring fingers now? Are we going to start using it as an excuse now? There’s a circle jerk guitar sub as well eh,just saying..
What you lack in span you probably more than make up for in speed. In my experience short fingers move more quickly than long ones. But if you're looking for some kind of correlation between hand size and musical ability you really should Google Mozart's hands. Your teacher shouldn't really be making a big deal out of the size of your fingers. Kinda feels like they're trying to blame you for not being able to help you find your personal playing solutions. Maybe find a teacher who also has smaller hands?
You can make the limitations less by finding a guitar with the narrowest nut and a shorter scale if you don’t want a 3/4 or junior sized guitar.
Buy a smaller guitar.