Does it matter what hand I play with?

[BarleyMob]

I guess I play left handed because my left hand is holding the pick. Does it matter or are there left handed and right handed guitars? I'm going to Guitar center tomorrow and want to know if the thickest string for an accoustic should be on top or on the bottom when holding it.

Thanks,
BarleyMob

[Fret spider]

thickest string is on the top.

doesnt really matter playin left handed, u'll just need a left handed guitar. they do cost a bit more but if u are more comfortable playin left handed play left handed.

[Kevin Taylor]

If you feel more comfortable playing left handed then go for it.
However, you're gonna be constantly treated like a second had citizen by music stores and teachers.

Just about 99.9% of the online lessons are geared toward right hand players so you'll be constantly having to convert them.
And it's rare that you'll find left handed guitars in music stores.

[Fret spider]

if its any consolation when i picked up the guitar at first i always placed it in the left handed way up. it seemed natural to me, but i just learnt the other way arround and i feel fine
i am not really left handed, but consider what it would be like to play the other way up

[jeffhx]

yea i knew someone who played bass left handed with a right handed bass...apparently he played them notes backwards or something...kinda cool tho..

[Grambo]

A Fixed bridge acoustic, has its bridge at an angle, such that the Thick E string is longest and the thin E is shortest - this means that the strings cannot be reversed - on an electric the bridge string lengths are adjustable and can be reversed

[elklandercc]

A Fixed bridge acoustic, has its bridge at an angle, such that the Thick E string is longest and the thin E is shortest - this means that the strings cannot be reversed - on an electric the bridge string lengths are adjustable and can be reversed
What about the nut? :confused:

[Grambo]

Good point - if you reversed the strings on an electric the grooves in the 'Nut' would be wrong and would need replacing..or reversing

[Sioni]

If you're comfortable playing left handed, then do it. I tried to learn right handed when I was 18 and just couldn't do it, then when I was 34 I eventually learnt left handed.

You will only find 1 or 2 left handed guitars in the shops (if you're lucky!) but don't let this put you off, you can always order a left handed model, if necessary. As for learning material, where it says right hand technique for us lefties it means left and vice-versa.

It's not difficult being a left handed guitar player, believe me!