So I just started taking lesson for the bass and I thought I should play with my right hand even though I am a left hander. That way I would never get used to playing it with my left hand and it would be easier. I have no problem in progressing, there is just one problem I don't get the right sound when I slap the strings, because my right hand is not capable of doing it. I'm practising it now and it gets better, but I am afraid that it will never sound right. As I already said I don't have any problems with the picking or anything else. Should I continue like this or should I learn to play with my left hand?
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Left hand playing with my right hand, should I change?
- Thread starter Anne98
- Start date
I am left handed also but have always played bass right handed. There are many good reasons to do so. For me it was as simple as the availability of basses in my budget when I started. I didn't know how to play left handed or right handed, so it seemed logical to learn right handed since all video lessons and most of my bass idols played right handed.
Why do you say "my right hand is not capable of doing it?" Do you mean that with more practice you still wont be able to slap? I'm no expert slapper, but I don't imagine that would change if I simply used my other hand. Unless you really feel hindered, I would just keep practicing right handed until you get it. Good luck
Why do you say "my right hand is not capable of doing it?" Do you mean that with more practice you still wont be able to slap? I'm no expert slapper, but I don't imagine that would change if I simply used my other hand. Unless you really feel hindered, I would just keep practicing right handed until you get it. Good luck
I'm not sure how anybody other than yourself can answer this question. There are left-handed people who play right-handed, there are left-handed people who play right-handed basses left-handed (i.e., upside-down), and there are left-handed people who play left-handed basses. No choice is intrinsically better or worse; each offers different advantages and challenges. But only you can choose which best suits you.
because there are more right handed basses so it would be easier and I own a right handed bass. But I think if I would ask my parents they would by me a left handed if I wanted to have one.
If you are just starting out, either way is fine.
Play right handed to save money on basses.
Play left handed to share your mic with george.
Play right handed to save money on basses.
Play left handed to share your mic with george.
Well I only just started so it might be that, but my right hand is not so strong, quick or on point as my left one, but hopefully with practise I will improve.
I kind of already took my choice to play with my right hand. I just want to make sure I am not taking the wrong choice.
Do you think that with my right hand I will not be able to become very good?
D
As a couple of others have said, there is no wrong choice. With practice and patience you should be able to get your right hand to do the slapping you're looking for. It takes time even if you use your dominant hand.
I'm a lefty who plays righty. I had my choice when I started out, and I could never wrap my head around trying to fret with my "dumb" hand. I needed that one to be the strong and quick one, and I was hopeless trying to play a "normal" left handed bass.
That said, it wouldn't hurt to to try a lefty bass short-term to see what you think, but don't let anyone tell you that you are doing it wrong if you go back to playing righty.
Yeah I get that. I don't know, I personally would just play what is natural to me. I feel like using my already dominant hand would result in a more optimal outcome, and if I didn't I'd always be wondering if I would be further had I just played left-handed. But that is just me. Probably okay either way when starting out I assume.
No.
If you are just starting out, your right and left hands will be equally facile at any new muscle motion.
Playing bass is awkward regardless of handedness, it's all in the practicing.
Any innate advantage of one hand over the other is quickly superseded by training.
Look at it this way:
The left hand needs a lot of dexterity for fretting the notes, yet legions of right handed players seem to have no trouble with it.
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I'm right handed but I understand there are degrees, some people can write with the right hand but kick a ball with the left leg, play tennis with the right hand and brush the teeth with the left hand (myself). So if you already can play right handed been left handed (writing wise) probably you are those people that are not 100% left handed, that make think it is a matter of time for you to master slapping.
I am like you, the only problem you will have is the one you listed in your original post: problems keeping rhythm because your lead hand is fretting not picking, this can be unlearned though. (with lots of air drumming!)
