Hand Size

[benjaminpiano]

I'm sure that this has probably already been discussed but whateve'.  I'll start a new topic about it

All I want is to be-able to reach a 10th without hurting my hands.  Right now I can easily reach an octave, a ninth is okay but it hurts my hand a little, and can just barely get a 10th. 
I have big palms though, just short fingers.

I am only 16 though and I am still growing I think, so I am crossing my fingers that my hands grow just a little. lol

Does anyone know if like lifting weights or stuff like that will help stimulate my hands to grow more? 
or what about drinking some sort of protein shake. lol
do you think that maybe while you are still growing,  playing the piano a lot and stretching your fingers, maybe will make your hand naturally adapt and grow more. 
 
so anyway I was wonder what your thoughts are on hand size and how important you think it is, and maybe some ideas to over come having small hands.

Also, is it harder to play faster and have good technique with larger hands?  So maybe having small hands would be an advantage when playing some pieces.  What do you think the optimal hand size to have to play the piano?   

[j0seph]

Someone told me as you play your hand will stretch out over time.  He was a classical pianist (or whatever the correct title is) at one point, so I believe him .  I think my hands have stretched out too.  If I remember correctly, I can reach farther than someone who doesn't play piano but has the same size hands as me.  I can uncomfortably reach a 10th, although its much harder when there are several notes between.  I don't think you need to reach much farther than that for most pieces.

Don't worry, I think your hands will grow a little more .

[gyzzzmo]

Just keep playing alot. Forcing things doesnt make much sense and risks hurting/damaging. And btw, 10th are fine.

[rmbarbosa]

I do agree with Gyzzzmo.Dont force!
 However, for some instances, you may cover two octaves without reaching your fingers. Have a look to www.pianopractice.org/ (Fundamentals of piano practice - Chuan C. Chang) and see Chapter one - III (selected topics in piano practice), nr.5 (paying fast: scales, arpeggios... You may read about  the Cartwheel motion, finger splits, etc.
Mr. Chang teaches how to gain more amplitude of the hand without streaching your fingers but working with the palm of the hand.
the best to you
Rui

[op3no2]

don't strain your hands too much =) you don't want to get stuck with tendinitis like I am