Anyone left-handed also learnt to play right-handed?

[DanSwain]

Dear all,

I was just wondering, from the left-handed players out there, has anyone also learnt to play right-handed?

I've been playing left-handed for over 15 years, but at the moment I'm feeling a bit beaten down because of the lack of instruments out there (so much so I had to make one of my own back in March - see the Luthier's Corner), so I'm considering this as an alternative.

Is switching successful?

What are good ways to approach this?

Is it really worth it?

Thanks for reading. I'm just feeling a bit frustrated at the moment. Any comments or suggestions are definitely welcome.

Kind Regards,

Dan

[allenhf]

I am a lefty that has always played right-handed. Left hand guitars were just too expensive when I started playing. It can be done, although it may be harder for someone who already knows how to play left-handed.

[playbass1983]

I seriously considered this myself. Evidently decided it wasn't going to be feasible.

[millsbass5]

I'm left handed.But,I play right handed.First bass I ever picked up was a right handed bass.A few years after I started playing,I ran into a lefty bassist.Played around on his for awhile.After playing for a few minutes,I knew I could "switch-bass".Yes,when I played high-school baseball,I was a switch-hitter,too.

[kcamsdog1387]

I'm also a lefty who always played righty. My older cousin who had a lot with shaping my musical influences was also a lefty who played righty. He said that I was better off learning righty from the getgo. I've been able to play a few things lefty, but it took a lot so I'd imagine re-learning the bass in the entirely opposite direction would be quite an undertaking. Good luck and you'd have a nice little trick to through people off live.

[DanSwain]

Thanks for your replies everyone!

I think I regret not being one of those people who started off with a right-handed instrument, as it is going to make things very difficult, and probably frustrating as well.

I guess the only thing to do is try to start again from scratch, maybe begin with slowly learning the scale and mode patterns again and not get too frustrated as that'll only hold things up.

Then again, I'm still procrastinating on this idea, so like playbass1983 it may not happen

Thanks again,

Dan

[Orangeclawhamme]

This is somewhat off topic, but I saw a musician playing a double-strung version of a 6 string, extremely short-scale ABG (Is it OK to say "guitar" on Talkbass? If so, he was playing a 12 string guitar.) He was playing it upside-down, like a left-handed player would. One of my friends sat down at the table with me and stated emphatically that "He is not left-handed." Apparently, there are quite a few people who find it easier to fret with their dominant hand, hence lefties who play right handed. My son is one of them.

[kcamsdog1387]

Originally Posted by Orangeclawhamme

This is somewhat off topic, but I saw a musician playing a double-strung version of a 6 string, extremely short-scale ABG (Is it OK to say "guitar" on Talkbass? If so, he was playing a 12 string guitar.) He was playing it upside-down, like a left-handed player would. One of my friends sat down at the table with me and stated emphatically that "He is not left-handed." Apparently, there are quite a few people who find it easier to fret with their dominant hand, hence lefties who play right handed. My son is one of them.

No, I can see the correlation between using your dominant hand and fretting.

[Mr. Mig]

I am a lefty and I play right. All my basses are righty's also.

[ehque]

I am lefty, have always play right handed. Besides saving 10% on my latest custom bass (or not being charged 10% more), i find that my right hand is not dexterous enough to do fretting. Interestingly though, i can play the piano.

[UncleFluffy]

Another lefty who plays righty here. Not sure if that's actually any help, though...

[Stevieb]

As a teen, I was one of those kids who was, shall we say, "different." I was somewhat "out of the closet" about it, and my friends in high school all accepted me for who I was/am. Yet, for some reason, I felt the need to conform. My parents were completely supportive of what was then considered a "choice," but they were ahead of the times and recognized it as a genetic pre-disposition, not something I "chose" to do. But really, who would "choose" something like this- always pointed in a different direction, always lusting after a totally different object of desire than one's friends, but always having to find some way of fitting in, of adapting to a world that didn't seem to quite be able to fit you in? I am thankful my friends stood by me, even when others would see us all on stage, and point and scratch their heads, totally confused about the queer/unusual way I acted on stage. Sometimes those people would get bold enough to tell me that they didn't understand how or why I did it. My friends actually thought those reactions were rather amusing. Good friends.

Then, after years of "adapting," I found just what I knew in my heart was what I really wanted. She was beautiful, and we fit together perfectly! Finally, someone who understood! I was thrilled! I had to work harder than my so-called "normal" friends to afford her, but she was worth the extra effort! When we were finally together, she fit in my arms perfectly, like she was made for me! We made beautiful music together. Even though I have fond memories of all that came before her, I now knew I had found my true love!

Unenlightened people still sometimes point, stare and laugh, but we don't care- we are together, and we continue to enjoy and reward each other with wonderful sighs, moans and even shrieks we make together. And we do it with PRIDE!

So, yes, I say it proudly- I AM A LEFT-HAND GUITAR/BASS PLAYER.

What did you THINK I was talking about??

[eggcrate]

If you did learn to play right handed, it would probably be amazing for your playing, as both hands would be equally talented and much more in sync.