Small Hands for a Pianist - General Music Forum (2024)

Guest: acyng_*

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I am a female adult learner who is currently preparing for grade 8 piano exam. I have small hands (can play only one octave), just wondering if a person with small hands should/shouldn't go for the diploma exam. I feel like since I have small hands, grade 8 is the max that I could reach. Anyone with small hands pass the diploma exam?

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Guest: maggiemay_*

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I think you should explore some of the pieces you'd need for the diploma exam.

Having small hands will probably limit your choice a bit, but it shouldn't bar you from taking the exam. If you look through some of the pieces, you will spot one or two impossibilities right away, then maybe explore a couple that appeal and look likely to be ok. Gradually you find which are possible for you. There should be enough for you to give it a go if you wish. If you can do grade 8, why stop now?

Good luck
Maggie

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Guest: pianist64_*

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Hi

I have the same problem as you, I can only just reach an octave and I've just passed my grade 8. I found that having small hands restricted the pieces that I could actually play, but once I found suitable pieces (either with no intervals higher than an octave or larger chords that I could arpeggiate)- I was fine. I suppose if you want to do a diploma, it should not be too much of a problem, just choose your pieces carefully!! Good luck.

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Guest: hannah_*

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Hi acyng,

I too have small hands (I can reach a 9th with some difficulty) and am taking Grade 8 piano next term. It certainly does create a lot of problems, the Schubert on the B list for example, I find quite difficult to physically reach all the notes, also Prokofiev's 7th sonata, last movement which I am currently working on seems impossible in places! And I haven't even started Brahms or Liszt yet! But my teacher wants me to take DipABRSM in the next couple of years, so obviously she doesn't see this as a problem.
I wouldn't let this put you off taking further examinations like the Diploma if you really want to, though. There are often ways around these things, and examiners are perfectly happy to let candidates with smaller hands spread the chords as neccessary. I have also found some nifty little tricks with pedal in the Schubert, and played notes with the other hand to make the melody flow more easily, instead of struggling to reach them all in one hand, thus interrupting the flow of the music.
Not all pieces require great intervals, and for the majority of pieces, one octave is all that is needed. Don't forget you can always choose repertoire that you feel most comfortable with, no one's saying you have to play pieces with great big chords! Good luck with the exam.

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Guest: happygirl_*

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Well, my hands can reach C-D only, but there is one piece for my diploma that requires C-E. I manage to get through it, by playing the low and upper note separately, but as fast as possible. By the way, it is a 20th century piece.

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Guest: shanryu_*

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I personally can barely reach one octave, but am preparing for my diploma exams. Basically, just choose the pieces that doesn't demand more than one octave. The only thing that's grating my nerves is playing the octave scales because my fingers can barely reach.

To you, I'd say go for it! And stretch those fingers everyday!

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Guest: Cleopatra_*

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dear acyng,

i was facing the same problem too. and my teacher is asking me to play a piece for my grade 7 exam where i have to play more that an octave ( E flat to F sharp at the same time! ) it was kind of difficult for me to do so in the first place but i got used to it. just keep trying!!!

all the best.

~cleopatra~

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Guest: DavidMusic_*

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I just tried that, and to put it simply, my wrist is now very very sore.

I personally can only reach a 9th, thanks to unfortunately short fingers for a man!

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Guest: sbhoa_*

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I may be wrong, but I have been told that if you really can't reach it is ok to omit a note in a big chord.
This is probably going to only be allright if it is the odd chord only.

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Guest: Joe16_*

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After reading acyng's topic, I am wondering how far people can stretch their hands on piano. I can stretch from C to E easily, i just wonder how that is compared to other people.

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Guest: tzl_tzl_*

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I can stretch from C-D easily but I haven't stretch to E yet.

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Guest: helena_*

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I can only do an octave. I'm 21 and quite small. My hands are so small that rings I've had since I was ten still fit comfortably on the same fingers. It's only a problem for Beethoven and Rachmaninov though, most composers don't seem to put chords that are way out of my reach. I always assumed I'd be able to reach further when I grew up, but I've been exactly the same size since I was eleven, and I think I'm lucky to be able to do an octave, so I'll have to make do with that.

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Guest: Kees_*

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I could easily stretch form C to G...it's just i hit about 7 other notes in the middle...

I suppose you are restricted from playing pieces where you need to stretch a lot but it is a big musical atmosphere...there are millions of pieces to suit your hand range that are excellent!

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Guest: Xiaoyi_*

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I can only JUST reach an octave... but I'm playing Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C# Minor... and I also want to play his Prelude in G Minor... both very challenging for small handed pianists... But HEY! I'm only just starting grade 8 and I hope I dont stop there!!

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Guest: StuMac_*

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I can easily span a tenth and my teacher ofetn says she wishes she had hands as big as mine! However, I find it very difficult to play a white note by striking it between two black keys as my largest finger will only juts fit in the space - this can be a problem and I often find myself wishing I had smaller hands.

Interestingly, my father has visited a museum that had a cast of Chopin's hand. It was tiny, which is quite a surprise

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