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Right handed-Left handed??

hdracer

hdracer

Feb 15, 2009
6,782
3,745
Elk River, MN.
#1
I have a question that I have not been able to find a answer to.
How does one know that they need a left or right handed bass or guitar? With having to use both hands to do a lot of things does it matter? I know with shooting a gun or bow you do not go off your right or left hand you go by what eye is dominant. Is it just what feels better to you or is there something more to it?
 
#2
After 11 years of teaching, I really think everyone should play right-handed instruments. Why? Because when you start you're going to be clumsy with both hands. BOTH hands are equally important for being a well-rounded player. Because you're starting out you have to teach yourself to control both hands anyway, so just teach them to use the left hand on the fingerboard and the left to pluck/pick/slap/thumb/whatever.

The advantages of playing right-handed are that it's a LOT easier to find instruments, you don't have to pay the 10-25% sur-charge for a lefty (and that sur-charge is for a limited choice to begin with!), and you can pick up any bass if someone's trying to show you something.

We of course know about famous lefties who play left-handed, but (at least with guitarists) there are several prominent ones who are left-handed but play right-handed. Glen Campbell has said that learning to play right-handed was the best thing he did because he could sit around with other guys, just grab a guitar, and cop a lick. George Van Eps is a monster guitarist (he plays a very piano-like style on a 7-string arch-top jazz box). I beleive that Steve Vai or Joe Satriani is left-handed as well.

And besides, how often do you see a left-handed violin or viola in an orchestra?

John
 
#3
Thanks, That is what I thought. I am left handed in most things. I shoot right handed because that is my best eye. My sons friend went and got a left handed guitar and started learning on it because he wanted to be different. I do not see where hand strength would make a difference.
 
#5
+1 on everything John said.

A guitar player I used to play with is a lefty who plays righty. He has always felt that his more dexterous left hand has been an advantage in his playing skill. The guy is a spectacular player, so it's kind of hard to argue with his theory.
 
#7
JTE said:
After 11 years of teaching, I really think everyone should play right-handed instruments.

John
Click to expand...

I totally disagree with this.

It's like saying that every athletes should be right-handed in their sports.

There is a natural side for everybody.

I'm right-handed and I play bass left-handed because it was natural for me to hold a bass like that period.

BTW I'm a pro bassist for 30 years and been teaching for 25 years.

Been a lefty on bass was never a problem for me and it won't be for anybody that feels "right" like that,

Sly
 
#9
I am right handed, shoot left handed and am left eye dominant. I am definately right handed. I play lefty because it feels natural to me. I'm not sure why, but that is the way I started playing 12 years ago and I just stuck with it. It was easier from a dexterity standpoint to teach my left hand how to pluck, etc, than it was to teach my left hand how to fret the notes on the fretboard. It just seems to me like your right hand is the busier of the two, considering that many people don't use all 4 fingers and thumb on thier plucking hand (if you play right handed) to play bass.

Tim
 
#10
Play however you want. However lefties are very very rare and it's really hard and expensive to find lefty instruments that one really wants. Make sure you're really sure that you like going lefty more before you decide to make the choice. I know many lefties who play righty but exceptions always exist.
 

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