Isn't that how Albert King played? He was left handed, who player a flipped right handed, with the low e on the bottom.

Amazing that your uncle could do it too

I write with my right hand but play guitar left-handed.

From the very first moment I picked up a guitar it felt natural and comfortable that way, whereas holding it right-handed felt awkward.

Fair to say that I couldn't play at all at the time, but photographs of existing bands showed it was a valid option.

I will say, though, that life is much easier if you play right-anded - I have spent a lot of time hanging out with other musicians in rooms full of guitars and unless I carried my own instrument I could not play them (I use conventional stringing and don't play upside down like Albert King or Otis Rush).

But saying "Nobody Should Play Guitar Left Handed" is taking it too far.

And it didn't seem to impede Fender fan Jimi Hendrix.

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http://www.cartmania.org.uk/ejamming/

Well, my left hand has a problem with the tendons so after about two months of lessons I switched to lefty. I like to practice but I wish I could play. Yeah I wish I could play righty it sure would be easier to read the tabs etc.

Now my right hand is starting to get the same problem...dang it. Right or left I just hope that I can continue to practice.

Anyhow that's my story and I'm sticking with it.

I think people play left handed because they are comfortable in playing that way and they can express themselves more..

Absolutely true! Guitar can be a pretty tough instrument to learn in the first place -- you might as well play in a manner that makes the experience as easy and as comfortable as possible.

And sometimes people play lefty because of injuries or other problems which make playing in a traditional manner next to impossible. A few years ago I remember reading an article about a guy who had an illness that made the fingers in his right hand almost completely immobile. He managed to play guitar by strumming with his left hand and attaching a butter knife to his right hand (which he used as a sort of a slide). Makes you realize you can overcome just about any obstacle if you put your mind to it!

Oh, by the way, welcome to the forum!

I haven't read this whole thread all the way through so if I'm being redundant, my apologies. I am left handed and the ONLY thing I do right handed is play guitar. I'm sure the reasoning of the 'precision' hand, easier access to instruments, etc. has already been covered and this too is why I was talked into and learned to play right handed. To this day, I cannot thank the left handed trumpet teacher (of all people) who convinced me this was the way to go.

On a tangent: I'm sure most lefties will agree that we learned almost from "day one" that the world at large pretty much caters to the right handed. Oftentimes, it is indeed an inconvenience where we as a minority simply accept it without a whole lot of antagonism as there are surely more important things in life to wallow one's resentment(s) in. YMMV.

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You dig?

I've never seen a French horn made for right handed play. Who cares.

being lefthanded ive owned righthand guitars all my life!and like albert ive played them up side down!its what feels right. i can play guitar up side down and lefty! and i have no ability to read or write music i taught my self!to say no one should play lefty is stupid!our approach to the guitar is unique!our sound as well!!when we play we master the genre! mostle we create the genre! from jimi hendrix to kurt cobain to albert king to dick dale to tony iommi to otis rush to paul mccartney.if playing righty works 4 u. then do it!! but speak 4 you, not us!!!!

Well said..... It's amazing how many mindless rants go on in Forums such as this...

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08 American Strat - Blizzard Pearl
04 MIM Strat - Black Maple Neck
07 Gibson SG - Heritage Cherry
11 Gibson Les Paul Studio 60's Tribute GT
Martin Acoustic - 00CXAE
Marshall Class 5 Head
Blackstar HT5 Combo
Mustang V Head
Behringer AT108

I have been giving lessons to a girl who is left handed. She said that she wanted to learn to play right handed so we gave it a shot and what do you know? She is a terrific little player. She can strum with the best of them and her fretting hand is equally as good. I must admit that I had my doubts but she proved me wrong.

I don't know that I would advise a lefty to play right handed I am just saying that I have seen it happen with great results. After 8 years of playing I have seen this girl steadily improve to the point that I would call her very talented, left hand and all. Who knows? I guess it's all in what you get used to.

I think it's the players choice on how they want to learn or how they feel most comfortable.

The only reason I would recommend that a beginner start out right handed would be because of the unwillingness of manufactures to produce more left handed guitars.

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08 American Strat - Blizzard Pearl
04 MIM Strat - Black Maple Neck
07 Gibson SG - Heritage Cherry
11 Gibson Les Paul Studio 60's Tribute GT
Martin Acoustic - 00CXAE
Marshall Class 5 Head
Blackstar HT5 Combo
Mustang V Head
Behringer AT108

My best buddy plays drums and does just about everything else left handed except play guitar,in fact I know a few lefties who learned to play right handed due to the unavailability of left hand guitars.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Im left handed and have played that way since i was about 7.
looking back i wish i would have learnt right handed. There are so much more guitars and parts out there for right handed.
The only problem now is Im too used to playing left handed so i cant change

Ash

That pretty sad.... Isn't it.

_________________
08 American Strat - Blizzard Pearl
04 MIM Strat - Black Maple Neck
07 Gibson SG - Heritage Cherry
11 Gibson Les Paul Studio 60's Tribute GT
Martin Acoustic - 00CXAE
Marshall Class 5 Head
Blackstar HT5 Combo
Mustang V Head
Behringer AT108

Lefty players should definitely do what feels most comfortable for them. Some lefty players take to right-handed guitars with no problem. Others, like myself, just couldn't get used to it. If they do what feels most comfortable right off the bat, it can potentially avoid problems down the line.