Does size really matter?

Does size really matter? Is bigger better?

What about when it comes to playing the guitar? Does size really matter?

Jimi Hendrix had large hands and long fingers from photos and recollections of the

people who worked side by side with him in the studio.

Eddie Kramer remarked that Jimi got so much sound out of the guitar. I think that

had something to do with his gear, sheer talent and vision. How much of a role did size

matter here?

Chas Chandler, Jimi’s first producer, once said it was incredible to watch him play up

close. The way he seamlessly switched between rhythm and lead. The man had big

hands.

Look at keyboard players. They employ 8 fingers and 2 thumbs and we guitar players

traditionally only use 4. (I’m sorry after 10 minutes of Stanley Jordan I’m done).

Jimi used 4 fingers and his thumb which he would hook around the top of the neck

to great effect. He was able to fret bass notes on his 6th string and play melodies on the

top ones. I think this is probably the single most beautiful aspect of his guitar technique.

Little Wing, The Wind cries Mary and Castles in the Sand are primary examples. A lot of

people simply associate him with screaming guitar solos, burning his guitar at Monterey

or The Star Spangled banner at Woodstock.

Fact is the man was a master at R&B rhythm guitar. He knew and played alongside the

pioneers of this style of music. He was right there from the ground up.