Left-handed guitar players

[joltinjeff]

I was just wondering something. How many lefty guitar players are in here? I know that it looks weird and probably looks stranger yet on stage, but I have been kicking around in learning to play at least on some of the songs we are playing. I know that it will be a long and hard process in learning, but since I have diminitive use in my left hand, I cannot reach the upper fret on a right-handed guitar.
Please, this is a serious inquiry and I know I am a jerk at times in here, but this is strictly for professional development.

[MeYatch]

I think having a left handed guitar player looks totally awesome on stage. You get some cool symmetry with a right handed bass player. Of course that only works if you are a one guitar band.

From your post I can't tell if you are actually left handed or not, but if your left hand is not your dominant hand, it will probably be even more difficult to learn to play. Maybe you could look into a short scale guitar, or a guitar with a long upper horn, which will move the 1st fret closer to the center of your body.

[Ron]

Your job at a show is to put on the best performance that you can. Adding an unneeded handicap doesn't make any sense to me, especially if it's just to look "cool".

[witchhunt]

Can't remember the last time I looked at Sabbath and said "That looks totally awesome."

[MeYatch]

you don't think Sabbath look awesome?

[joltinjeff]

I was thinking of doing this because we (No Guarantee) have only one guitarist. I think it would free Nick up to concentrate on his leads instead of trying to cover all the guitar work.
But thanks for all the input and feel free to add more.

[Ron]

If you are just doing it to add some rhythm parts under solos, you likely won't even need to reach the upper frets.
Do you play guitar already? If not, then you want to have your dominant hand doing the picking.

[nighthawk]

i got to watch a left handed guitar player that was quite unique. he played left handed upside down. even his down strokes became upstrokes. it was quite cool to see.

[bassist_25]

you don't think Sabbath look awesome?

When I'm Tony Iommi's age, I hope that I look half as bad ass as he does.

[witchhunt]

Yes, I do think Sabbath looks awesome. But not because of a rightie and leftie. And no lazers and energy. IMO, I'd rather see a band that just outright jams. Sabbath and Megadeth, for example.

[MeYatch]

Yes, I do think Sabbath looks awesome. But not because of a rightie and leftie. And no lazers and energy. IMO, I'd rather see a band that just outright jams. Sabbath and Megadeth, for example.

Not really sure where you're going with this. He asked if having a left handed guitar player would look weird. The short answer is no.

Though I think his best bet is probably to learn righty anyway.

[felix'apprentice]

i say, use your dominant hand. i have crooked pinky fingers and sometimes hit bum notes. but its all good.

its all mindset. if you tell yourself you can't do it, you won't. just believe in yourself, and practice your ass off. and don't get quit when you don't get it over night.

good luck

- kayla.

[f.sciarrillo]

I like the left handed guitar players who play with the guitar and strings upside down ... Doyle Bramhall for example ...

[whitedevilone]

you don't think Sabbath look awesome?

When I'm Tony Iommi's age, I hope that I look half as bad ass as he does.

F'in A, Tru Dat.

[DrumAndDestroy]

you don't think Sabbath look awesome?

When I'm Tony Iommi's age, I hope that I look half as bad ass as he does.

F'in A, Tru Dat.

if you change the color of the clothes...iommi looks like a grandma...a bitchy one at that. or my 8th grade english teacher, mrs. hart. she, too, was a bitch.

[DirtySanchez]

***thread forwarded to Mrs. Hart

[joltinjeff]

I think having a left handed guitar player looks totally awesome on stage. You get some cool symmetry with a right handed bass player. Of course that only works if you are a one guitar band.

From your post I can't tell if you are actually left handed or not, but if your left hand is not your dominant hand, it will probably be even more difficult to learn to play. Maybe you could look into a short scale guitar, or a guitar with a long upper horn, which will move the 1st fret closer to the center of your body.

I am left-handed, but the reason I am thinking this way is not only to improve our band's sound, but to finally after years of wanting to learn how to play I am finally going to do it. I know it sounds weird, but it is almost like my "bucket list".

[BDR]

I'm left handed and learned on a right-handed guitar upside down about twenty years ago. I'm not great but can play basic rhythm (wouldn't do it on stage without some serious wood shedding). I learned that way, strumming up instead of down as was mentioned earlier, so I could play any "normal" guitar that may be in the vicinity. I mean, how often does someone have a left-handed acoustic sitting in the corner? I don't think too many people would say Hendrix looked weird when he played that direction. I think I'd question strapping on a guitar for the first time ever in your life and basically doing it on stage, tho. You'll just give yourself another distraction that will make you forget words. There's enough in the room that will do that. r:>)

[joltinjeff]

I'm left handed and learned on a right-handed guitar upside down about twenty years ago. I'm not great but can play basic rhythm (wouldn't do it on stage without some serious wood shedding). I learned that way, strumming up instead of down as was mentioned earlier, so I could play any "normal" guitar that may be in the vicinity. I mean, how often does someone have a left-handed acoustic sitting in the corner? I don't think too many people would say Hendrix looked weird when he played that direction. I think I'd question strapping on a guitar for the first time ever in your life and basically doing it on stage, tho. You'll just give yourself another distraction that will make you forget words. There's enough in the room that will do that. r:>)

Its not like I would learn the set list and go out and play, I havent done enough beans in my life to be that brain dead (although I have done plenty) but not since a certain night in Hollidaysburg with you and a few others Robbie!!!) I understand the distraction part and that is a true statement and I am not saying that I would play on every song. IT was just a thought and again something I am kicking it around and nothing is set in as of yet. Just one of those things I am considering, but thanks for all the imput from all you RPer's out there, even if you went on tangents about Tony Iommi?????/

[BDR]

My advice is based mostly in the fact that you're a new band. Focus on your strengths now and on getting established. Focus on refining your performance and your fan base. Learn guitar if that's your desire. I'm just saying don't add anything to your performance that you're not 100 percent confident in. It's like trying to sing a song that's not in your range. There are songs I'd love to do but we don't and songs we've stopped doing because I just can't hit it. It's better to not do it than to do it badly on stage. That doesn't mean you don't try to get there, tho. And if you get to a point where you can add rhythm to certain tunes confidently, then do it. r:>)

[joltinjeff]

My advice is based mostly in the fact that you're a new band. Focus on your strengths now and on getting established. Focus on refining your performance and your fan base. Learn guitar if that's your desire. I'm just saying don't add anything to your performance that you're not 100 percent confident in. It's like trying to sing a song that's not in your range. There are songs I'd love to do but we don't and songs we've stopped doing because I just can't hit it. It's better to not do it than to do it badly on stage. That doesn't mean you don't try to get there, tho. And if you get to a point where you can add rhythm to certain tunes confidently, then do it. r:>)

Thanks BDR this is what I was lookin for.

[lonewolf]

If you have trouble with your left hand, you would be better off learning to play guitar right-handed. Barre chords are especially useful in a situation like yours. I would start there and after you develop some dexterity with those, advance to more complex chording. This will help to strengthen and train your left hand fingers so that you could move on to soloing. As Ron stated...your dominant hand should be your picking hand.

[riksylvania]

I am very left handed in sports, writing, and most other activities, but I play all musical instruments right handed. I think it mostly came out of convenience; right handed guitars are cheaper and more available, friends had right handed guitars that I could just pick up and play, and later on when I was taking a break during a band practice, I would sit down at the right handed drum set to mess around.
Point is: Whatever way you start is going to be the same if you don't have any experience playing guitar.

on a related note: I can't think of the name of the group, but the guitar player from Stillwater was telling me about a Beatles tribute band, like a Vegas-type that makes large amounts of money to play, that had their bass player learn to play left-handed to be more authentic. They gave him a few months to do it, and being that he had to learn Paul McCartney's bass parts left handed, and sing his harmonies, and survived, makes learning basic rhythm guitar chords not seem so bad, right?

edited to say putting the time into practice is the most important thing, and those who practice relentlessly can do anything.

[joltinjeff]

If you have trouble with your left hand, you would be better off learning to play guitar right-handed. Barre chords are especially useful in a situation like yours. I would start there and after you develop some dexterity with those, advance to more complex chording. This will help to strengthen and train your left hand fingers so that you could move on to soloing. As Ron stated...your dominant hand should be your picking hand.

The problem with my left hand is that I have lost some dexterity and cannot turn my wrist enough to fit around the fretboard. That being said, my fingers on my right hand seem to be more flexible and I too am left-handed in all aspects, but since I have been playin around with my kid's guitar it seems more comfortable to play left-handed.

[cryssie]

i'm a lefty...but trying to learn guitar lefty seemed like it would be more of a pain in the butt than it's worth, so i bought a righty guitar and i'm doing ok (just starting out, so it'll be a long time before i play for an audience).

anyway...i've also got teeny tiny hands, so i bought a daisy rock...shorter frets and thinner neck. daisy rock is starting to make dude-friendly styles, so maybe look at one of those if you're concerned about your reach...