Left Handed Guitar

Guitars Left Handed

Guitars are undoubtedly the most popular and widely used musical instrument in the world. Today we cannot imagine music without guitars and even if you go to any wedding party or ceremonial function or in a rock concert, you will see that guitar plays a vital role among the other musical instruments. When we speak of guitars we normally talk about the regular right handed guitars that is being used by millions of guitar players across the world. However, with the rise of left handed guitar players many guitars that are left handed were being made.

Guitars for left handed players are different from the regular right handed guitars as the construction and the placement of strings is totally mirrored and opposite and it would really frustrated the normal guitarist if they go ahead and play guitars for left handed. Guitars for left handed players were initially not available in the music stores and it was really a pain to search for one if the players had to find one. So the best thing they could do was to go for custom made left handed guitars that they can play with the help of their dominant left hand.

Today, guitar companies like Fender and Gibson have launched left handed guitars for those who have passion for music and guitars but are left handed. Gradually, these guitar companies saw that the trend for left handed guitars was increasing as many other left handed players decided to go for guitars that are made for left handed rather than forcing one’s mind to play the regular right handed guitar. Though some of the songs had very complex chord notes, today you will find many popular artists across the globe that play left handed guitars every time they are on the stage.

Left Handed Guitars

Guitars are one of the most common and popular musical instruments. The trend of playing guitars dates back to early centuries, however, after the invention of TV and music videos, the popularity of guitars soared high as more and more pop bands started using guitars in their music videos. Normally guitars are made and designed to be played by right hand, but for those who are left handed guitars were re-designed and many left handed guitars were made. These left handed guitars were specially made for those who would strum the strings with their left hand while their right hand is on the fret board.

Soon left handed guitars were becoming a sort of a trend and many guitar companies like Fender and Gibson started making left handed guitars. Few companies like Gaskell Guitars from Australia specialize in left handed guitars only. Many other popular brands started making left handed guitars when they saw that the trend for left handed guitars has hit the music market and they can cash on such opportunities. Apart from buying new left handed guitars one can also go ahead and convert the regular right handed guitars to left handed guitars by replacing the bridge and nut for the strings to fit with correct intonation. Many claim that left handed guitars have more advantages than the regular right handed guitars as the playing style requires more versatile and precise movements that would be complicated for those strumming the strings through their right hand.

Is It Difficult To Play The Left Handed Guitar?

Most musical instruments can be played with both hands, but the guitar is another story.  Guitars usually are meant for the right handed person to play and a left handed person may not be able to play it very effectively.

Although guitars can be built for either a right handed person or a left handed person, it is the dominant hand that decides how well the guitar can be played.  As a left handed person, your dominant hand it your left hand.  The dominant hand will pluck or strum the strings of the guitar.  The right hand or secondary hand will hold the strings against the neck of the guitar, initiating the desired chords.  Most of the musical chords is generated by the dominant hand, or in this case the left hand. 

There are some in the musical industry who believe that a left handed person should hold a guitar the same way a right handed person does. 

Constructing a left handed guitar takes a bit of rearranging of the strings, the bridge and the nut.  The thickest string of the guitar needs to be reversed what it normally is for the right handed guitar.  The bridge and the nut have to be turned upside down to fit the strings which will have been constructed in the reverse order. Some people insist that a left handed guitar costs more than a right handed one. 

Chord charts are another challenge for the left handed person.  There are many chord charts primarily printed for the left handed person.

With minimal modification to a guitar, a left handed person can learn to play the guitar as well as someone who is right handed.  Many famous left handed players have adjusted quite well and have been able to produce multi million gold records.  Being a “lefty” should not prove to be a handicap if your desire is to learn to play the left handed guitar.