Everything You Need to Know About Playing the Guitar as Left-handed
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Everything You Need to Know About Playing the Guitar as Left-handed

Approximately 10% of people are left-handed, adding up to 800 billion lefties worldwide. Although this is a small percentage, studies have shown that in left-handed people the two sides of the brain are better connected and more co-ordinated, leading to skills others don’t have. Also, while not proven scientifically, lefties are reported to be more creative and skilled in art and music. The fact that many of the best guitarists in the world are left-handed, such as Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and Paul McCartney, makes us believe that’s true.

Are you a lefty who’s starting to play the guitar? Although this instrument, just like scissors and spiral-bounded notebooks, is created with right-handed people in mind, guitar design has immensely evolved. You don’t need to custom order specially-made left-handed guitars; you can walk into a reputable music store or browse their range online, and find quality left handed electric guitars and their acoustic counterparts catered to your style and your playing level.

Do You Really Need a Left-handed Guitar?

Left handed guitar
source: riffsandlicks.com.au

Is buying a left handed electric guitar really necessary? Are left-handed guitars just strung differently? Can’t you simply restring a guitar to make it lefty-compatible or play a standard guitar upside down? Of course, you can. Guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix and Albert King did that.

However, you must remember that as with many other things in life, playing the guitar, especially an electric one, is unique to everyone whether left or right-handed. What works for some, might not work for others. While restringing and inverting might have worked for previously mentioned music geniuses, it might not work for you. Lefty guitars are made with left-handed players in mind and they can make learning the instrument much simpler.

One major advantage is that standard chord charts and tabs are correctly oriented for you. If you tried to use a right-handed guitar, you’d have to flip everything mentally, complicating learning. Using left handed electric guitars eliminates this hassle, allowing you to focus on learning like any right-handed player. In short, it levels the playing field and simplifies your musical journey.

The Differences Between Standard and Left-handed Guitars

The Low E, the thickest string, is located the farthest to the right on a left-handed guitar. The same string will be the first on the left of a guitar for right-handed, the most widespread kind of guitar. A left-handed guitar is designed so that a southpaw player, holding the guitar with their right hand, may strum with their left hand.

Also, elements like switches, tremolo bars, and volume and tone settings are arranged in reverse on left-handed guitars so that lefties may more readily use them and add more vibrancy to their playing.

How to Choose a Left Handed Electric Guitar?

Guitar for left handed people
source: riffsandlicks.com.au

Power is something you should think about initially when buying an electric guitar. A low-output single-coil may not have enough thickness and sonic bulk for people who want greater gain tones, and a high-output ceramic pickup may not be suitable for those looking for slinky tones, such as funk or R&B performers.

With that said, different things appeal to various artists, so trust your instincts and don’t be scared to buck the norm. The size and form of the guitar always matter when it comes to acoustics. The cut and feel of parlour or auditorium instruments appeal to players who play leads or bend, while others prefer chunkier and rounder dreadnoughts and jumbos. Larger guitars don’t always have louder sounds, so it’s advisable to sit down, play a few, and determine which best suits your needs. As in many other situations, looks can be deceiving.

How to Hold a Left-Handed Guitar

Starting with a left-handed guitar makes it easier for lefties to master chords and develop fretboard speed and dexterity. While it might seem natural for left-handed players to train on a right-handed guitar, as you progress, you’ll find that your picking hand—your dominant hand—plays a key role in shaping your sound.

Your dominant hand brings more depth and colour to your playing, so using a left-handed guitar will better suit your natural abilities. With a few modifications, holding a left-handed guitar is similar to holding a right-handed one: you’ll strum with your left hand and grip the neck with your right.

Key tips for playing a left-handed guitar:

  • Relax! Keep your shoulders, neck, arms, and fingers loose while maintaining good posture.
  • Hold the neck comfortably. Avoid gripping too tightly, and keep your wrist relaxed to help your fingers move smoothly along the fretboard. Press your thumb against the back of your guitar’s neck.
  • Finger placement matters. Press your fingers just behind the frets for the cleanest tone. Avoid placing them directly on the frets to prevent buzzing.
  • Strumming hand relaxed. Your right hand can rest against the pickguard while strumming or picking individual notes.
  • Playing with your left hand will become second nature with practice, proper posture, and technique.
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