How to Play a Small Guitar

Small guitars, often known as parlor guitars, travel guitars, or ¾-size guitars, offer a unique playing experience that's both convenient and engaging. They're perfect for players with smaller hands, those who travel frequently, or anyone just looking for a different vibe from their instrument collection. Let's dive into the world of small guitars and explore how you can make the most of these compact instruments.

Getting to Know Your Small Guitar

First things first, it's important to understand that small guitars aren't just miniature versions of their full-sized counterparts. They have their own charm and quirks. The body size and scale length can affect the sound, making it distinct from a standard guitar. Generally, small guitars produce a brighter, more focused tone with less bass resonance. This makes them ideal for fingerpicking styles and genres that benefit from a crisp, clear sound.

When you pick up a small guitar, you'll notice that the frets are closer together, making it easier to reach chord shapes and scales, especially for beginners or those with smaller hands. This can also encourage you to experiment with different fingerings and voicings that might be more challenging on a larger guitar.

• Body Size: Smaller body size can be more comfortable, especially for children or those with a smaller frame.
• Scale Length: The scale length is shorter, which can make bends and slides easier.
• Tone: Expect a brighter, more articulate sound compared to a full-sized guitar.

Choosing the Right Strings

String choice is crucial when it comes to small guitars. Because of their shorter scale length, small guitars often benefit from lighter gauge strings. These strings provide the right amount of tension and help maintain good intonation.

However, it's not just about tension. The material of the strings can also affect the tone. For a warmer sound, you might opt for phosphor bronze strings. If you prefer a brighter tone, 80/20 bronze strings could be the way to go. It's a good idea to experiment to find the strings that best suit your playing style and the sound you're aiming for.

• Lighter Gauge: Easier to play, especially for beginners.
• Phosphor Bronze: Warmer tone, great for fingerstyle.
• 80/20 Bronze: Brighter sound, good for strumming.

Techniques Tailored for Small Guitars

Playing a small guitar doesn’t mean you’re limited in your technique. In fact, it opens up a new realm of possibilities. Thanks to the compact size, fingerpicking and intricate chord changes become more manageable. You might find yourself incorporating more hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides into your playing because of the reduced tension and fret spacing.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different styles. The bright and punchy sound of a small guitar can lend itself well to genres like folk, blues, and even some lighter rock. Focus on clarity and precision in your playing, as the articulate sound of a small guitar will highlight these aspects.

• Fingerpicking: Easier to execute with closer string spacing.
• Hammer-ons/Pull-offs: Require less effort, great for fast runs.
• Slides: Smooth and effortless due to shorter scale length.

Building Your Repertoire

When it comes to building your repertoire on a small guitar, think about songs that benefit from a clean, bright sound. Classic folk tunes, campfire songs, and blues numbers often sound fantastic. However, don’t shy away from experimenting with different genres and styles.

To get the most out of your small guitar, focus on pieces that emphasize melody and harmony. The clarity of a smaller instrument can bring out subtle nuances that might get lost on a full-sized guitar. Try transcribing piano pieces or orchestral music to challenge yourself and expand your musical palette.

• Folk Tunes: Use the guitar’s natural brightness to your advantage.
• Blues: The focus on melody can bring out expressive bends and slides.
• Transcriptions: Explore new arrangements to broaden your skills.

Practice Tips for Small Guitars

Practicing on a small guitar can be a refreshing change from your usual routine. Start by focusing on finger strength and dexterity. Because small guitars often have a lighter string tension, it’s important to maintain good finger strength to ensure clean fretting.

Work on your timing and rhythm. The articulate sound of a small guitar will highlight any timing issues, so use this to your advantage to improve your precision. You can integrate a metronome into your practice to help with this.

At Riffhard, we emphasize rhythm and precision in our lessons, which can be especially helpful when you’re adapting to a new instrument size. Our custom metronome is a great tool to use during your practice sessions.

• Finger Strength: Regular exercises to maintain strength and precision.
• Timing: Use a metronome to improve your rhythm.
• Precision: Focus on clean transitions between chords and notes.

Amplifying a Small Guitar

Amplifying a small guitar can be an exciting way to explore new soundscapes. Many small guitars come with built-in pickups or can be fitted with one. This allows you to plug into an amp or PA system and expand your sonic possibilities.

When you amplify a small guitar, consider using effects that enhance its natural characteristics. Reverb and delay can add depth and dimension to the bright sound. Experiment with EQ settings to bring out the midrange tones, which are often a highlight of smaller instruments.

• Built-in Pickups: Convenient for gigs and recording.
• Effects: Use reverb and delay to add depth.
• EQ Settings: Adjust to highlight the guitar’s natural midrange.

Traveling with Your Small Guitar

One of the biggest advantages of small guitars is their portability. They're perfect for musicians on the move. Whether you’re heading to a jam session, a gig, or a vacation, a small guitar is easy to pack and carry.

Invest in a quality gig bag or case to protect your instrument. Look for options with ample padding and sturdy zippers. You might also consider a case with storage compartments for accessories like picks, capos, and tuners.

When traveling, be mindful of temperature and humidity changes. These can affect your guitar's wood and intonation. A small hygrometer can help you monitor the humidity levels in your guitar case, ensuring that your instrument stays in top condition.

• Gig Bag: Essential for protecting your guitar on the go.
• Case Accessories: Storage for picks, capos, and tuners.
• Humidity Control: Use a hygrometer to monitor conditions.

Recording with a Small Guitar

Recording with a small guitar can be a rewarding experience. The focused sound of these instruments can cut through a mix beautifully, making them a great choice for layering tracks or solo performances.

When recording, experiment with mic placement to capture the guitar’s unique tone. Placing a microphone near the 12th fret can highlight the brightness, while a mic near the soundhole can capture more warmth and body.

At Riffhard, we offer lessons on recording techniques that can help you achieve the best sound possible, whether you’re using a small guitar or a full-sized one.

• Mic Placement: Experiment to capture the desired tone.
• Layering Tracks: Use the small guitar’s clarity for multi-track recordings.
• Recording Techniques: Learn from experts to enhance your sound.

Maintaining Your Small Guitar

Just like any other guitar, small guitars require regular maintenance to keep them sounding their best. Regular cleaning, string changes, and adjustments are all part of keeping your instrument in top shape.

Pay attention to the neck relief and action. Because small guitars have a shorter scale length, they can be more sensitive to changes in tension. Regularly check the neck and make adjustments if necessary.

Cleaning the body and fretboard is essential, especially if you’re traveling with the guitar frequently. Use a soft cloth to wipe down the guitar after each use, and consider using a fretboard cleaner periodically to remove any buildup.

• Neck Relief: Regularly check and adjust as needed.
• String Changes: Keep strings fresh for the best sound.
• Cleaning: Wipe down the body and fretboard regularly.

Final Thoughts

Playing a small guitar can open up a world of new musical possibilities, offering both convenience and a unique tonal palette. Whether you're focusing on technique, exploring new genres, or recording, these compact instruments have a lot to offer. At Riffhard, we're here to support your musical journey with lessons that can enhance your skills across any guitar size. Embrace the charm of the small guitar, and enjoy every note you play.