Left handed guitar. How to learn to play the guitar if you are left-handed?

How to learn to play left-handed guitar

In fact, this question is quite absurd in its essence, because the answer to it is obvious – just like the right-hander. Now on the market of musical instruments there are a huge number of models of guitars for left-handed guitarists, which can be purchased at a reasonable price. At the same time, guitar books are universal, and the only thing worth paying attention to is that the hands change, and instead of the left hand, the right hand clamps the strings, and the left one beats with a plectrum instead of the right.

Is it worth it for a left-handed person to learn to play a regular guitar, or is it better to play an inverted right-handed one?

Before answering this question, we can ask a counter one – why don’t right-handed guitarists learn to play left-handed guitar upside down? As mentioned above, now left-handed guitars can be found in almost any music store, and it makes no sense to buy a right-handed instrument for a person with a different lead hand.

Also, it is not enough just to turn the right-handed tool over. In order to properly put the strings there, you will need to saw through the nut, because the width of the recesses will not be sufficient for the strings of the desired thickness. In addition, there will be a lot of problems with, for example, electric guitars that have tone, volume, and pickup switches – which, if the guitar is turned over, will be in a completely uncomfortable position.

Therefore, the answer to this question is – it is definitely worth learning on a regular left-handed guitar.

Should I buy a left-handed guitar right away?

The answer to this question follows from the previous one. Yes – you should immediately buy a left-handed guitar, otherwise nothing. Learning to play with the leading hand is much more convenient and logical than buying a right-handed guitar and then suffering from the fact that the fingers do not obey well, and there is no coordination of the limbs at all.

How to hold a left handed guitar

Left-handed guitars should be held in the same way as right-handed guitarists hold them. game technique, guitar exercises,the positions of the chords and the setting of the fingers do not change at all when changing hands. Therefore, you need to hold the guitar left-handed according to exactly the same rules as right-handers – there will be no difference.

Read also: chords for beginners

How do other lefties play the guitar?

In the same way as right-handers, only adjusted for the fact that the hands change places. We repeat once again – the fact that you are left-handed does not affect either the setting of the limbs, or the playing technique, or any exercises. Therefore, left-handers play the guitar in exactly the same way as right-handers – and can reach the same heights of guitar skill as right-handers.

A question of productivity. How to learn faster – left-handed or right-handed guitar?

If you still managed to convert a right-handed guitar to a left-handed one, then in terms of productivity, you do not lose anything. It all depends on you – how often you will do exercises, play under the metronome and learn compositions. The biggest waste of time will be that you will have to spend it on altering the guitar for the left hand, so, of course, it is better to immediately buy a version for your feature. Of course, such a problem like choosing a good guitar,remains in front of the guitarist, even if he is left-handed.

I started studying with my right hand, but I want to retrain with my left

In this regard, the question is rather ambiguous, and there is no clear answer to it. Of course, you will have to start everything literally from scratch – that is, re-set your hands, do exercises and learn chord patterns. However, it will be much more logical for you, and playing with your left hand will be much more convenient. Therefore, in this regard, just think about how it will be more convenient for you – and decide whether to retrain or not.

How to convert a guitar to left hand

To do this, you will need to remove all the strings and turn it over. Before that, it is advisable to buy a new nut for the strings. All that needs to be done is to pull out the glued nut and put a new one in there, but in such a way that the hole for the sixth string was in place of the first, and the first fell into place of the sixth. After that, string the strings also in a mirror order. After that, your guitar will be suitable for learning to play it with your left hand.

Some statistics

According to the latest data, about 10% of people in the world are now left-handed. At the same time, 3% are absolutely left-handed, who cannot use their right hand with the same efficiency, and 7% are ambidexterous. Today’s musical instrument manufacturers cater to the needs of this minority and produce guitar models for left-handed guitarists.

Practical Disadvantages of Playing Left-Handed Guitar

What’s the difference between a left-handed guitar? That’s right – nothing. Therefore, the short answer to this question is that there are no shortcomings. Besides the fact that the left-handed guitar is a mirror image of the right-handed guitar, they are no different. You can also string regular sets of strings, as well as install accessories and carry out other manipulations with it. In addition, it will be physically easier for you to learn how to play, since you will control the leading hand.

At the music school they told me to learn how to be right-handed

Modern public music schools may well say that. It is not clear where the reason for such absurd requests comes from – perhaps from the old Soviet education, perhaps – from some personal problems of teachers. Perhaps because the system how to pinch chords correctly,will change a little. However, if you are faced with this, then the best option would be to change music school or find a good private teacher.

similar situation can be compared to the fact that if at school a left-hander would be forced to learn to write with his right hand – this is stupid and absolutely ineffective.

Notable left-handed guitarists

Jimmy Hendrix

The man who, in fact, reinvented rock music, and is considered to this day the most influential guitarist in the world, was left-handed. He played left-handed guitar – at first just inverting the right-handed version, but over time – switched to normal instruments. At the same time, he simply used right-handed models, because at that time guitar manufacturers did not make many left-handed models.

Paul McCartney

The famous bassist of The Beatles is also left-handed. He originally played left-handed instruments and is one of the most talented musicians in the world.

Kurt Cobain

The leader of the famous Nirvana formation that brought grunge out of the underground was also left-handed. His signature instrument is a left-handed Fender Jaguar, but at the beginning of his career, he adapted a right-handed instrument for himself.

Omar Alfredo

More modern personalities include the legendary guitarist of the fathers of post-hardcore At the Drive-In, as well as one of the founders of the progressive rock band The Mars Volta. He is also left-handed and plays a left-handed Ibanez Jaguar. In addition to his musical activities, Alfredo owns a recording studio, and is also engaged in production activities.

Conclusion

Now learning to play left-handed guitar is no problem at all, since there are a lot of materials on the Internet for left-handed guitarists. In addition, there are left-handed guitar models in stores, so it’s best to learn how to play in a way that suits you right away.