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Left
Mar 22, 2006 10:10:56 GMT -7
Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 22, 2006 10:10:56 GMT -7
OK, here's a question I never see anywhere on the forums. My grandson wants to start learning the guitar, but he's left handed. My daughter asked about it and I stated flatly that he can play a right handed guitar just as easily. After all, they don't sell left handed pianos, saxophones, violins, etc. do they? Or am I making a mistake taking that approach? I know there are some lefties here - what do you guys think?
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Left
Mar 22, 2006 10:30:23 GMT -7
Post by Lefty on Mar 22, 2006 10:30:23 GMT -7
Here's the deal. I too have a left-handed child who recently started "playing" guitar. What you do is sit the child down and hand them the guitar. Ask them which way is more "comfortable" right handed (flip it over) or left handed? I have both left hand and right handed guitars in the house so it was easy for me to do this. She actually preferred to play right handed, which is fine by me...she won't be playing MY guitars. It's all about comfort and dexterity. Most people think that my left hand would be better suited for chording, but it's a different kind of dexterity. On the down side, it's a real pain to find left handed guitars...much less cheap ones. Don't force either/or on the child. Let them choose. Remember, they used to drown the left handed children back in the day because they thought we were "of the Devil". And were still kind of sensitive about that
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Left
Mar 22, 2006 11:42:17 GMT -7
Post by billyguitar on Mar 22, 2006 11:42:17 GMT -7
Being right handed I always thought it would have been better to use my right hand to fret because the right hand is stronger. Stevie Ray had very strong hands and the muscles didn't seem to slow him down so too much muscle shouldn't hurt. The funny thing is I've known left handed guitar players that could pick up a right handed guitar and play better than I can. I would say if a left could play a righty guitar their life would be a lot easier in the long run, when it comes to buying guitars. I still wonder how Hendrix could play Strats with their knobs under his arm. Then there's those guitar players that leave it strung right but play left. Guys like Otish Rush, Albert King and the guy that played with Louie Jordan and the Tympany Five back in the 1940s. Not to mention the young guy from Austin who plays with Clapton and everybody else. (I can't remember his name!!!!!!!!! Old timer's strikes again.)
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Left
Mar 22, 2006 13:09:23 GMT -7
Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 22, 2006 13:09:23 GMT -7
I used to work with a guy that claimed we are all born left handed, but we change to right when we commit our first sin... Of course, he was a lefty... I was thinking like you billyguitar - if he stays with a righty instrument, he won't have any trouble getting guitars. Try finding a beginner lefty guitar - they are not even as common as standard lefties, which are pretty hard to find anyway. Hmmm.... well, I'll give my daughter the info from here - and I do appreciate the left hand perspective Lefty. I'm glad they didn't drown you...
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Left
Mar 22, 2006 13:34:27 GMT -7
Post by Curt on Mar 22, 2006 13:34:27 GMT -7
Hey Steve, Good question. My daughter is Left handed, 11 years old. She is somewhat ambidextrous (?). I worried a lot about this early on, She played softball and we spent a bunch of time throwing with both hands, trying gloves on both, etc, she ended up playing ball as a righty, when she got her guitar a year or so back I never gave it a 2nd thought, walked in, she picked up a guitar and can play anything I show her right away...here I sit wrighting this and a thought accured to me...she has no idea left handed guitars exist !! either way she picked it up and held it just like dad does and catches on quick..real quick. with the cost, being able to grab a guitar at a camp fire jam, etc I'd say start 'em off as a righty...save the frustrations down the road. Please take no offense Left, LeftyLang and others Food for thought.
You know what? She can't even get the fork in her mouth as a righty !! LOL
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Left
Mar 22, 2006 13:36:15 GMT -7
Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 22, 2006 13:36:15 GMT -7
Hey Steve, Good question. My daughter is Left handed, 11 years old. She is somewhat ambidextrous (?). I worried a lot about this early on, She played softball and we spent a bunch of time throwing with both hands, trying gloves on both, etc, she ended up playing ball as a righty, when she got her guitar a year or so back I never gave it a 2nd thought, walked in, she picked up a guitar and can play anything I show her right away...here I sit wrighting this and a thought accured to me...she has no idea left handed guitars exist !! either way she picked it up and held it just like dad does and catches on quick..real quick. with the cost, being able to grab a guitar at a camp fire jam, etc I'd say start 'em off as a righty...save the frustrations down the road. Please take no offense Left, LeftyLang and others Food for thought. You know what? She can't even get the fork in her mouth as a righty !! LOL Well of course not - you've given her a left handed fork!
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Left
Mar 22, 2006 13:36:38 GMT -7
Post by guitarman1 on Mar 22, 2006 13:36:38 GMT -7
Remember, they used to drown the left handed children back in the day because they thought we were "of the Devil". Lefty....it sounds pretty absurd, but my father-in-law still believes that sh!t. When ever he visits, I always manage to have lots of gigs or go fishing.
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Left
Mar 22, 2006 14:39:05 GMT -7
Post by zane on Mar 22, 2006 14:39:05 GMT -7
my brother is a lefty...but ...plays right handed say's he couldn't imagine playing otherwise...
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Left
Mar 22, 2006 14:42:40 GMT -7
Post by Curt on Mar 22, 2006 14:42:40 GMT -7
[quote author=benttop board=strings thread=1143047456 post=1143059775 Well of course not - you've given her a left handed fork! [/quote] LOL 2 funny Steve, best of luck with this. Curt
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