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Potentially Silly Violin Question

  • 08-01-2016 12:55pm
    #1
    MyNameIsMethos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 185 ✭✭


    Hey guys,

    I'm teaching myself violin and, though I am ambidextrous to some degree, the violin just seems to feel far more natural when I hold it left-handed. The violin is set up for right-handed use.

    Now. Taking into account that I do not want to exactly join an orchestra or the like, could I potentially run into any problems with just teaching myself to play my instrument held backwards?

    *I know enough to not try swapping the strings order by the way. I specifically just wish to try playing the violin as a mirror image of the "correct form".

    Thanks for the read.


Comments

  • #2
    martinedwards
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,045 ✭✭✭martinedwards


    no reason at all.

    when guitarist flip a guitar without reordering the strings they need to strum upwards rather than downwards, but bowing works both ways so can't see a problem

    unless you DO go into an orchestra and poke the eye of the unsuspecting person on your right!

    folk scenarios are the only place I've ever seen violininsts playing lefty.


  • #3
    MyNameIsMethos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 185 ✭✭MyNameIsMethos


    Thanks for the reply Martin, you've taken a bit of worry off of me. I get the feeling that there's structural differences which may make flipping a violin more complicated than flipping a violin though: specifically the sound post.

    What I mean is that when played right-handed, the side of the violin with the sound post in it does not rest on the shoulder, while when I flip it it does. When tuning the instrument, I've noticed that if it I lay it on a surface while I do so, the pitch of the notes is changed slightly negatively. I do not know of this is due to the sound post not being able to create the proper vibrations while it's on a surface, like it will be on my shoulder, or if it's just a fact that happens if you pluck a violin without holding it.

    Either way, I'll be playing left-handed now until I'm advised to do otherwise! Thanks for the reassurance


  • #4
    seachto7
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,863 ✭✭✭seachto7


    You could get a luthier to flip the bridge for you or make a bridge for a lefty.

    You could get the chin rest switched too.

    I'm also trying to teach myself the violin. It's darn difficult! I play the mandolin, so my fingers know where to go. It's getting it not sound like a mangled cat is the important thing.


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