Left Handed Guitar Beginner

MidlandsM

Hi,

I'm new to this, but been thinking for a long time about buying a guitar to learn how to play.

But I'm left handed............so whats the best to buy?

I was thinking of a cheapo thomann guitar to start me off.......but how does it work, is there a left handed version etc? Completely clueless here......

Thanks.:pac:

Alanstrainor

Chuck on your favourite track with a guitar in it and play some air guitar. What hand is gripping the neck?

You should definitely play a few guitars in a few shops first. I'm a lefty, but play righty just because that's the way I felt comfortable with a guitar. There's nothing to say that just because you are left handed you have to play a particular way.

-=al=-

Sure I'm a righty who plays lefty

Gotta try one out and see which way feels the best

Malice

-=al=- wrote: »

I'm a righty who plays lefty

Me too. In fact anyone who's ever seen me write or try to use a scissors is probably amazed that I'm capable of holding a guitar in the right-hand position without dropping it

MidlandsM: Rather than repeat what I and other posters have already written I'm going to direct you towards this thread and also this one where similar discussions have already taken place on this topic.

-=al=- wrote:

Gotta try one out and see which way feels the best

Definitely do this before spending any money.

Bonibus

Definitely try right handed. My daughter is left handed but plays right. Left handed guitars equals a lot less choice.

MidlandsM

Ok, thanks for all the advice..........

I just did some air guitar'ing these, and my right hand is gripping the neck?!?! good or bad sign?? lol

........and off to the shops I go, quite looking forward to it.

thanks again

martinedwards

not good or bad, just helpful in diagnosis!!

Mark Knopfler and Gary Moore.... both wrote lefty, both played righty.

if you can possibly go righty, you should because later on further down the road, you'll discover that only about 1/4 of your fav guitars are availabkle lefty.

yes, its cool to do a hendrix or a McCartney and play an upside down guitar, but with acoustics the bridge needs completely rebuilt, and many guitars just aren't symetrical.

there are a load of great lefty players out there, sdo don't think Im getting at you!!

My son is lefty and I converted an acoustic to lefty for him... then he lost interest so it's sitting all forlorn and neglected.....

I can play a few chords and blues runs on an upside down lefty. but you are better to have the heavier strings at the top, although there are many who just play an upside down righty, still strung righty.... Gurramal (sp?) who was on the Jubilee concert, Michael Card and Doyle Bramhall ii (Eric Clapton's 2nd guitarist live) all play upside down righty strung guitars.

don't know of ANYONE who plays right handed with the bass strings at the bottom......

MidlandsM

Martin, wow thanks....I never knew all this stuff...........

Malice

MidlandsM wrote: »

I just did some air guitar'ing these, and my right hand is gripping the neck?!?! good or bad sign??

It's not a bad sign at all. Just as martinedwards wrote, it helps with a diagnosis . My cousin (also a lefty) picked up one of my guitars years ago and the first thing she did was turn it to the right. I certainly didn't tell her it was a right-handed guitar and I assume she was unaware of the difference but something just clicked mentally and that was the way she ended up playing.

MidlandsM

So, if I face the guitar to the right, would any guitar I buy/use be held by me upside down?

Malice

MidlandsM wrote: »

So, if I face the guitar to the right, would any guitar I buy/use be held by me upside down?

It's probably easiest to demonstrate with a couple of pictures .





The first picture is a left-handed Fender Strat and the second is of a right-handed one. Note that the guitar shapes mirror each other. For both guitars the jack input is positioned so that it is nearest the ground depending on which way the guitar is held. Also note that the tuners would be facing the player so that they don't have to reach around to get at them. Also, and perhaps most important, note that the horn of the guitar with the strap button on it will be closest to the player's body. This means that the higher frets are more accessible since they player's hand won't be hampered by the body of the guitar.

If you buy a right-handed guitar and play it left handed you will have to contend with these issues. They aren't total deal-breakers individually and, as already mentioned, certain famous guitar players have played instruments "the wrong way".

The bottom line is that while I'd recommend trying to play a right-handed guitar, go with what works for you.

-=al=-

Sounds like you're gonna play a leftie there

Then again my mate used to always air guitar lefty cause he'd see me play that way but i give him the odd lesson on his right handed guitar, but he's an out and out righty all the same

Not as much of a deal these days but yeah there is a few less choices for geetars alrite... Just go with the way that feels best