Originally Posted by: lynette.kliethermes

Hi! So, I'm a beginner and, originally, was passed down my Dad's guitar. It's a huge dreadnought and was way too big for me. So, I did, what I thought, was good research and decided on a small body Yamaha. I went and bought it and have been playing it for a few weeks now. As the chords I'm learning are getting more involved, I'm noticing it's EXTREMELY difficult for me to get my fingers on the strings in the right places. I am a super petite girl and so are my hands. In my guitar hunt, no one mentioned to me that I may want to look at the neck size, as well as, the body size. So, now I'm wondering if I should have gotten a parlor guitar. I've checked all the other troubleshooting concepts...my posture, my thumb placement, etc., and I've been doing stretches. I know some of this will come over time and with practice, but I'm truly considering if the neck of mine is still just too large. What are your thoughts on parlor guitars? I've read that, obviously, you may lose a little sound quality, but at this point in my playing, I feel like getting the chords right is more important than the quality of sound coming from the instrument.

Anyway, I appreciate all of your thoughts!

Thanks so much!

Literally going through this with my wifeat the moment. Literally.

She just started taking lessons a few weeks ago. As a note, even though I've been playing for a good fewdecades, she thought that having an objective teacher aside from me would help her. That way I can be the cheerleader and tutor between lessons.

That aside....

My wife is the same. She's 5'3" and does not have longer hands. Same issues you outlined here. Guitar size and neck size are an issue for her.

About 10 years ago, under the idea that she wanted to learn back then, we'd purchased a Taylor Baby 3/4 sized guitar. It's been sitting on the sidelines for some time. She's always wanted to learn but a little intimidated. Now she wants to.

For guitar and guitar size.

The Taylor Baby ain't all that great. That's not a negative on Taylor's. I have a single cut Dreadnaught sized Taylor and love it. The Taylor Baby? As she's been playing it, not really up to the job. You can never really get the action (string height from the neck) to where any player, much less a beginner, would like it. It's construction. The neck is partially connected to the body by two screws from the top, thtrough the fretboard. Really....

So, we've been looking at other options. We've been looking at the Martin X Mini. Reviews are much better on that. It's still a 3/4 sized guitar so it's helps with the petite player thing.

Basically, I think she should buy it but she wants to hold off.

The benefit of a 3/4 sized guitar is really the neck reach.Youdon't have to stretch your arm out as far and the body is not so cumbersome.

3/4 guitars are not heavily in inventory so if you look at one, search for a Guitar Center or Sam Ash in your area and see if the online store show inventory at your local store.

Just sharing a little of my recent experience.

She's having the same struggles as you and it helps, I think, to know that your experience is not unique. Weall have different paths to playing because we are all built and wired differently. What works for me and my 6 foot tall self is different than my wife at 5'3".