Right handed VS Lefty


remob
Registered User
Joined: 01/07/08
Posts: 3
remob
Registered User
Joined: 01/07/08
Posts: 3
08/22/2008 12:33 am
I have been playing for a while now although I still consider myself at beginners level. I seem to be caught in a circle where I get excited, make progress and then hit this invisible wall which prevents me to go any further. I think one possible reason could be I'm a left handed person although my old teacher strongly suggested --since I'm starting-- I should try and learn how to play right handed guitar. I try and try but i find my left hand much better at keeping rhythm and versatility.
I even unconsciously do lefty air guitar.
Should I follow my lefty instinct or keep trying play right handed as my teacher suggested? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Remo
# 1


Joined: 11/15/24
Posts: 0


Joined: 11/15/24
Posts: 0
08/22/2008 11:34 am
If your body naturally want ot play lefty than I would play lefty.

Sure it comes with it's share of problems, the most obvious is guitar. Not every shop carries lefties and they may come at a higher price... well they use to, not sure now.

I don't beleive in forcing someone in playing righty. You're righty or you're not. If it feels more comfortable playing lefty than by all means, play lefty.

I've never came across a logical reason why everyone should play righty. Ever.

I would love to hear why your teacher suggested that. My guess is that he's going to say because most of the gear are for lefty. For me, that is not a reasonable answer.
# 2
Don Schexnayder
Registered User
Joined: 08/07/08
Posts: 27
Don Schexnayder
Registered User
Joined: 08/07/08
Posts: 27
08/22/2008 1:12 pm
Some people think being a lefty playing right-handed gives you an advantage with your fretting hand, but it would seem to put you at a disadvantage with your picking hand. I know a bass player who learned this way, and he's awesome...

Heck, I would play lefty just to be different and stand out a little bit from the crowd.
Donnie Schexnayder
www.ColoradoGuitarLessons.com
www.myspace.com/donnieschexnayder
# 3
remob
Registered User
Joined: 01/07/08
Posts: 3
remob
Registered User
Joined: 01/07/08
Posts: 3
08/23/2008 8:51 am
My old teacher thought, since I was just getting started, it would be equally challenging for me to learn one way or the other so it was better to favor the righty in order to be easier in the future to find guitars to play and buy.
Reality is that i feel clumsy with my right hand being the picking hand.
I will try and play lefty for a while by swapping the strings of my guitar and see how it feels.
Thanks for your advice!

Remo.
# 4
LisaMcC
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 11/02/06
Posts: 4,009
LisaMcC
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 11/02/06
Posts: 4,009
08/23/2008 12:17 pm
Hi Remo,

Sounds like you have received some good advice here about the lefty-righty issue. I just wanted to chime in on your other concern, which was about the pace of your learning process.

What you describe is perfectly normal! I have yet to meet a student who progresses in a steady uphill. It seems it is always a little surge forward, then staying at that level for a while, then another little surge. That's how it has always been for me as a learner, and for my students as well.

Sounds like you're right on track.

Have fun - Lisa McCormick
Lisa McCormick, GT Instructor
Acoustic, Folk, Pop, Blues

Full Catalog of Lisa's Guitar Tricks Tutorials
Find Lisa on Facebook!
# 5
remob
Registered User
Joined: 01/07/08
Posts: 3
remob
Registered User
Joined: 01/07/08
Posts: 3
08/23/2008 8:32 pm
Lisa,

Thanks for you encouraging words, I needed it!

Remo.
# 6
k0ldfuz10n
Registered User
Joined: 07/22/05
Posts: 27
k0ldfuz10n
Registered User
Joined: 07/22/05
Posts: 27
08/26/2008 5:52 pm
I'm a lefty and when I first picked up a guitar (age 15) it was recommended that I play right handed as it would give me an advantage on the fretting hand. I simply found it too confusing and uncomfortable. In the end I gave up playing and stuck the guitar in the closet and eventually sold it.

Once I got a bit older and started making my own money I still had a love of guitar so I saved and bought a lefty axe. Easily 1,000 times easier to learn on.

Reality is that yes guitars are more expensive in lefty form and harder to find. Good news is that most manufacturers, Gibson, Fender, Jackson, Dean, make lefties and most stores will special order you the axe you want from the manufacturer.

In the end, my comfort and enjoyment while learning/playing meant more than spending extra cash.

P.S. Take pride in the fact that you join someone like Jimi Hendrix as a lefty. He simply played a righty upside down ;)
# 7
zephyrlily
Registered User
Joined: 08/31/08
Posts: 1
zephyrlily
Registered User
Joined: 08/31/08
Posts: 1
08/31/2008 6:05 am
What are the disadvantages to playing it upside down? I'm also a lefty just starting and as much as I try to play a right handed guitar the 'right' way I'm already used to it upside down. It seems 'right' to me, and doesn't affect tab reading :)
# 8
kjuggs
Registered User
Joined: 11/26/07
Posts: 7
kjuggs
Registered User
Joined: 11/26/07
Posts: 7
08/31/2008 11:45 am
I've been playing lefty for 5 years now, and don't buy into the playing righthanded nonsense! I tried that and it doesn't feel right at all... the worst part of playing left handed is that the guitars are harder to find, and definately in a more limited selection; the other problem I've ran into is that either your friends always need to bring their ax over to the house, or you need to keep a spare righty around, which is what I did. Other than that, it isn't very much different, except to reverse in your head written instructions regarding left and right handed techniques. As somebody already brought up Jimmy, Kurt Cobaine was also a lefty! Other than that, it is almost the same exact thing. The only thing we lefty's have mastered doing right handed is using a cpu mouse; other than that, writing, throwing, playing hockey, among other things, we just have to develop on our own. Good luck! BTW, we need to start a forum for lefthanded guitar swaps/sales only! That would be really smart, I think...
# 9
k0ldfuz10n
Registered User
Joined: 07/22/05
Posts: 27
k0ldfuz10n
Registered User
Joined: 07/22/05
Posts: 27
09/02/2008 2:42 am
Originally Posted by: zephyrlilyWhat are the disadvantages to playing it upside down? I'm also a lefty just starting and as much as I try to play a right handed guitar the 'right' way I'm already used to it upside down. It seems 'right' to me, and doesn't affect tab reading :)


If you're doing it without any problems then there are no disadvantages, keep it up I say. Thinking about reversing my tabs and strings make my brain ache :p
# 10
theerock
Registered User
Joined: 01/14/09
Posts: 1
theerock
Registered User
Joined: 01/14/09
Posts: 1
01/22/2009 3:57 pm
Originally Posted by: k0ldfuz10nIf you're doing it without any problems then there are no disadvantages, keep it up I say. Thinking about reversing my tabs and strings make my brain ache :p


I find no problem following tab, video or in-person instruction in traditional righty format. Where my mind disconnects is looking a chord boxes. I have to draw them out myself reversed on grid paper to understand them. I would REALLY like an option to be able to flip them to lefty in the lesson documentation.

BTW everyone forgets my favorite famous lefty player...Kermit the Frog!
# 11

Please register with a free account to post on the forum.