Learn How To Play Guitar & Guitar Accessories

Question: Want to learn the guitar and am left handed? (please read muchly appreciated!)?

(Posted by: Lorelai N on 2009-04-12 15:06:05)

I'm 15 years old and out of spontaneity and slight randomness have an urge to lean guitar (acoustic), so i will eventually, but i'm left handed so will i need to buy a left handed guitar or learn right handed?I mean jimi hendrix and kurt cobain were left handed but i think they may have gotten their guitars like restringed or something... should i do that, buy a right handed one and just get it restringed? And when learning to make the different sounds is it all just different chords? and do you press down on the frets? I'd go on youtube but they don't have any vids for left handed people. Thanks for any help and Happy Easter! ooh and how much practice does it take to get fairly good? Like improv and stuff? Cheers by the way!

Posted by: Nicole H on 2009-04-15, 03:04:51

I would buy a left handed guitar because it will take you twice as long with a right handed guitar. So if i were you i'd get a left handed guitar and make life easier for your self. Won't buying a right handed guitar and then restringing it cost the same as buying a left handed one in the first place?? Pooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo xxx

Posted by: Josh on 2009-04-12, 15:12:35

Left handed guitars are usually more expensive. I'm right handed tho so I don't really know if you need a left handed teacher to teach you or what. If you get discouraged remember, Jimi Hendrix was lefthanded!

Posted by: jennavictoria on 2009-04-12, 15:16:25

Well, i am right handed ad play right handed....and my little brother doesnt really know how to play but he is left handed and pretends he playing right handed style and he said its not all that uncomfortable to him. left handed guitars are in a higher price range, and if you bought a righty and got he strings reversed, that might mess up the playing quality since the fretboard is a certain size for the strings. i would try to just learn righty style instead of wasting time and money.

Posted by: Ich bin ein berliner! on 2009-04-12, 15:19:29

You can either buy a left handed guitar (which is a bit more expensive) or you can have the nut replaced on a right handed guitar and have it strung for a lefty. The replaced nut and restringing is probably the better option for a beginner.

Posted by: byrde1994 on 2009-04-12, 15:54:51

You mention that you are looking at an acoustic do NOT reverse the strings, on an acoustic !!! (unless it's a nylon string classical guitar) the bridge saddle is slanted the wrong way, so it will not play in tune as you play up the fretboard, most importantly, the bracing in the guitar is wrong, The heavier strings require more bracing, and if you reverse the strings, you will probably pull the bridge off, and the top of guitar will probably pull up. Changing the nut, is the least of your worries. buy a real lefty, if that's what you want. Most electrics can be swapped out fine, since the bracing isn't an issue, and the bridges are usually adjustable enough. With a nylon string guitar, the saddle is straight across, and there isn't much difference in tension, since the strings are nylon, but you will still need to change the nut.