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"what would you give for one more inch?" ( no comment mam, no comment)

Hmmm, I was thinking maybe I could invent a special hand-stretching device for those with small hands, like say how Charles Hawtrey was in carry on henry, but just for the hands.

8.5 left, 8.625 right. I can manage a tenth in some situations, but it's not easy.

They seem to sell stretching devices all over the internet for a certian body part. I haven't seen any adverts for hand stretchers, though. You might make a fortune off gullible pianists.

Don't have a ruler handy, but an octave is easy. A ninth is possible off the edge of the keys. I can touch a tenth, but there'd be no way to play one.

Uhhhmmm, would a packet of Jammy Dodgers suffice? Oh, alright, I can "stretch" to two.

(See, my stretchy pun means I'm still on topic.)

8 1/4.

Octaves are easy and I can manage a ninth without trouble. As for a 10th, barely if I touch just the edge of the white keys, but I doubt I could play a 10th as part of a piece

With years of practice I have managed to stretch a full octave chord with little difficulty, but I doubt I will get much further than that. Although, who knows, might be that my technique is still lacking.

9 1/2" here (probably my best stat.....well, except for my feet )

Jim

You are quite right Scotpgot, and actually I've been to the dr (so has Teodor).

My problem comes from a pre-piano condition that I didn't realize was the start of trigger finger - I thought there was something wrong with the bone/joint, and it never really bothered me, just "clicked" sometimes. When I started playing piano it got worse- and then I started to have pain in my forearms too.

The problem (on the piano side) was that while I understood the concept of what my teacher was telling me, I wasn't able to actually relax properly.
When I realized that I was making things worse instead of improving we backed off dramatically - I basically stopped playing anything new (which made me tense!) and I have focused on technique /playing less, playing slowly and really getting a handle on what my teacher has been talking about since the start!

I'm doing MUCH MUCH better - have been doing massages and physio exercises, and parafin treatments for while now. Improvlements are significant, but I still have to be very careful not to over do things.

I didn't take your comment as "preachy" - just concerned kindness.
Thanks.

I used to be able to play a straight tenth on white keys. But months of playing Chopin Etude 10/1 stretched it further. I can now reach an eleventh (though barely). I don't have big hands. This is all stretch. My pinky and thumb stretch to a straight line.

Exact measurement? No tape measure.

Just because I was curious, I measured my hand span. My left hand from tip of thumb to tip of little finger is 9 1/4 " (close to Jazzwee, it almost goes to a straight line). My right hand span is 8 3/4" due to a dislocated thumb in college, it's just not going any further. I do do finger stretches - I think it helps. That and practicing playing 10ths with both hands. I have long fingers though.

I can reach 10ths with no problem at all.
With my hand splayed out I can get to 10 1/4".
I've got big mitts but maybe they're more limber than most because I can stretch my thumb and little finger so that they are in a straight line.
I don't know if this is normal or not.

My hands are about 7", but I can stretch to about 8 and 1/4. I feel like I'm going to be able to stretch more eventually because when I started I could barely reach an octave, now I can reach a flat ninth comfortably. Maybe someday I'll be able to reach a ninth. I don't mind if I don't, though. My hands have gotten pretty mobile around the keys.

OOOH Sparky, how do we know that metal tape measure isn't folded and being held down by your palm?? LOL. Could this be Canadian "slight of hand" to gain an "extra inch"?

Sly Cat I accept your jammy dodgers, have you tried the new "toffee" dodgers yet? mmmm.

Wayne, very very funny. But would nan approve?

That is as funny as anything I've seen . . . and more than slightly disturbing.

8 and a 1/4" with my fingers spread at a 180 degree angle. I can play an easy nine and an "ify" 10. (Just FYI I'm a girl contrary to popular belief.)

We could get Schumann to endorse it.

Sparky, you have a fantastic reach! Mine is 9 1/4.

8 3/4 can reach the ninth- the tenth only on the edges, not really practical for playing.
The span of my fourth is actually greater @ 9.