08 Feb The beginners guide to Left-Handed Guitar Playing

Are you a left-handed guitarist? Struggling with right-handed resources? Learn the basics, improve your skills, and master guitar with this helpful guide!

As a beginner guitar player, this comprehensive guide will help you understand the basics with your guitar journey.

Have you considered playing right handed?

I know you’re here for some left handed advice, but due to the lack of choice for left handed players some choose to opt in to play right handed guitars.

There are More Guitar Options – Right-handed guitars are widely available and often cheaper.

Regular learning materials such as chord charts cater to right-handed player and you’ll.be using your dominant hand for those chords and once mastered you’ll make it look ‘easy’.

Stronger Fretting Hand – Some lefties find that using their dominant hand for fretting gives them better control and dexterity. Although you’ll need to learn how to co-ordinate the strumming hand it’s less effort overall. Consider this: Do you want a dominant chord or strumming hand to begin with? Both hands will learn to co-ordinate eventually.

Limited left-handed availability.

While there are left-handed models available, they are not as widely produced as right-handed guitars and can be more expensive due to lack of demand. This scarcity can make it difficult for left-handed musicians to find the right fit, both in terms of comfort and playability.

Moreover, the physical aspects of playing guitar can differ for left-handed musicians. Finger positioning, strumming techniques, and even the way chords are formed can apparently feel more intuitive for left-handed players once you’ve flipped the information from sheet to fretboard and assuming you’re playing right handed.

Basic guitar terminology

When reading or watching tutorials there are some guitar terminology that you’ll need to translate.

‘Left hand’ should translate as ‘chord hand’ and ‘right hand should translate to as ‘strumming hand’ which makes it less specific and more ‘true’ to every guitar player.

For your strumming or finger-picking hand, the index finger is still your index finger, Middle is middle and Ring is Ring finger.

For your chord hand finger 1 (index), 2 (middle), 3 (ring, and 4 (pinky) is still the same finger numbers when looking at a chord chart or music notation.

Advantages and Challenges of Playing Left-Handed

Playing guitar left-handed comes with a unique set of advantages and challenges.

While more guitar brands are beginning to cater to the left-handed market, options can still be far less than those available for right-handed players and more expensive. This can make it challenging to find the right fit, both physically and tonally.

However, with determination and creativity, left-handed guitarists can often modify existing instruments or seek out custom builds that meet their needs, enabling them to overcome these challenges and excel in their playing.

Left-Handed Guitar vs. Right-Handed Guitar

Jimi Hendrix famously took a right handed guitar and changed it’s orientation to be left handed. He didn’t just move the strap holder, the bridge and neck nut (where the strings sit on) were also altered to suit. Each groove within the guitar necks nut is catered for each string’s thickness.

7 things Jimi Hendrix did to make his style unique:

1. Flipping a Right-Handed Guitar

Hendrix was left-handed but often played right-handed Fender Stratocasters flipped upside down.

• This meant he restrung the guitar so that the low E string was still on top, but the controls and tremolo arm were now mirrored/reversed in position, appearance and usage.

2. Reversed Headstock

• Flipping the guitar changed the string tension, especially with the longer low-E string and shorter high-E string, which contributed to his signature tone.

3. Pickup Angles

• Because he played a Strat that was ‘flipped upside down’, the slanted bridge pickup was reversed.
• This changed the way the bass and treble strings responded to the pickup, giving him a warmer bass and a sharper treble attack.

4. Custom Electronics & Wiring

• He sometimes had his guitars rewired to alter the tone and pickup selection.
• His volume and tone knobs were in different positions than a standard right-handed Strat.

5. Tuning Adjustments

• He often tuned down a half-step (Eb tuning) to make bending notes easier and create a heavier, more resonant tone (baring in mind the pick up’s orientation is different.

6. Heavy Use of Effects

• Hendrix was a pioneer in using effects like the Wah-Wah pedal, Fuzz Face, Uni-Vibe, and Octavia, which helped shape his ‘psychedelic’ sound.

7. Whammy Bar Abuse

• He pushed the Stratocaster’s tremolo system to its limits, bending notes dramatically and creating dive-bomb effects.

These modifications, along with his unorthodox playing style, helped Hendrix create his legendary sound.

Left-Handed Guitar Playing Techniques and Exercises

Mastering left-handed guitar playing involves developing specific techniques and exercises tailored to your unique orientation.

As with right handed players, one fundamental technique is learning the correct finger positioning within the fret. Although the end sound is the same, it’s the transfer of information to your fretboard which will be different; true whether it’s scales or chords charts, or tab.

Music Notation is really the only form of guitar music that remains neutral when transferring information to your left or right handed fretboard.

Left-Handed Guitar Maintenance and Care

Maintenance for your instrument it isn’t that different to the right handed instrument.

When changing your guitar strings, you’ll want to still use ‘lemon oil’, to clean your fretboard for example. As with right handed guitars sometimes the action of the strings & frets is too high creating fret buzz. This isn’t unique to left handed guitars but a general problem for all guitarists.

Left handed facebook group

I’ve started a new facebook group for ‘left handed guitar players only’. Here’s the link. Share your frustrations and solutions as a left handed guitar player.

As a right handed teacher it’ll help me appreciate how to cater for you too.

Left-Handed Guitar Players Who Have Made an Impact

Throughout music history, many left-handed guitar players have made a significant impact on the industry and inspired countless musicians. One of the most iconic left-handed guitarists is Jimi Hendrix, whose innovative playing style and groundbreaking techniques revolutionised rock music. Hendrix’s use of feedback, distortion, and unique chord voicings set him apart, proving that left-handed players can create a distinct sound that resonates with audiences worldwide. His legacy continues to inspire guitarists of all orientations, encouraging them to embrace their individuality and push musical boundaries.

Another notable left-handed guitarist is Paul McCartney of The Beatles. McCartney’s melodic bass lines and songwriting skills have left an indelible mark on popular music. As a left-handed player, he faced some challenges in a predominantly right-handed world, but he turned those obstacles into an advantage, creating a unique sound that contributed to The Beatles’ lasting success. His journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and creativity, inspiring generations of musicians to follow their passion regardless of their handedness.

Additionally, left-handed guitarists like Kurt Cobain of Nirvana and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath have made significant contributions to rock and metal music. Cobain’s raw energy and emotive playing became the voice of a generation, while Iommi’s innovative riffs helped shape the heavy metal genre. These musicians exemplify that left-handed players can achieve greatness and make a lasting impact on the music scene. By studying their techniques and listening to their music, aspiring left-handed guitarists can learn valuable lessons and find inspiration in their journeys.

Conclusion and Final Tips for Mastering Left-Handed Guitar Playing

In conclusion, mastering left-handed guitar playing is an exciting and rewarding journey that comes with its unique set of challenges and advantages. By understanding the nuances of left-handed playing, choosing the right equipment, and developing proper techniques, left-handed guitarists can unlock their full potential. Emphasizing practice and patience is crucial, as progress may sometimes feel slow, but persistence will ultimately lead to growth.

As you continue on your path as a left-handed guitarist, don’t hesitate to seek out resources and connect with fellow musicians. Online communities can provide support and camaraderie, while instructional materials tailored for left-handed players can help you hone your skills. Remember that you are part of a vibrant and diverse group of musicians who share similar experiences and challenges. Embrace your identity as a left-handed guitarist, and use it to fuel your creativity and passion for music.

Finally, always keep an open mind and be willing to experiment with your playing style. The beauty of music lies in its ability to evolve, and as a left-handed guitarist, you have the opportunity to carve out your unique sound. Stay inspired by discovering new genres, techniques, and artists, and never stop learning. With dedication and a love for the craft, you will undoubtedly master the art of left-handed guitar playing and create music that resonates with both you and your audience.