Marc S Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I thought I was something of a unique type, in that I'm left-handed - BUT, I play a bass as if I were right handed... A couple of years back, I had a few jams with a guitarist pal I was in a band with way back He wrote down some phone numbers for me, then I spotted he was left-handed but he had always played guitar in right-handed fashion! He didn't realise I was fellow lefty, and did the same with my bass Within a month, I had met another guitarist working in a music shop who does the same and shortly after, joined a band who's lead guitarist did exactly the same.. turns out he's a great bassist too and plays the bass in the same fashion.... I once met a girl playing a few acoustic songs at an open mic nite, she played a left-handed acoustic, but was right handed! She learned on a leftie, because it was her sisters guitar When I started playing bass, I did try a couple of lefty basses, but they didn't seem comfortable So I just bought my self a right-handed version I was just wondering whether there are any other bassists out there doing the same and just how unusual this practice is?? As to thoughts on why myself & these other individuals play this way... .... answers on a postcard please Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 Well, that makes at least two of us. When I went to buy my first bass, I was just concerned with finding something that was within my limited budget. I actually managed to completely forget I was left-handed in the process. In hindsight, thinking about it, it makes more sense to me to have the dominant hand on the fingerboard, as that tends to be the one doing the most intricate work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 (edited) I have a friend who is a left handed guitarist that always regretted learning left handed, as now he is very good, his choice of guitars is always limited. I also never understood why we used our non dominant hand to do the easy bit Edited September 11, 2013 by Woodinblack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 There's loads of us on here, I sometimes think there are more lefties playing righty than lefties playing lefty. I tried both and found that having my more dexterous hand on the fingerboard made more sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 Me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigash Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 You are all traitors and the reason there is a limited amount of left handed basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 [quote name='bigash' timestamp='1378917314' post='2206506'] You are all traitors and the reason there is a limited amount of left handed basses. [/quote] Don't blame us, it's all the right handed players that should be playing left handed basses that are the problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratman Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I am right handed and play the bass that way too. But, I am left footed (seriously, I couldn't kick a lame cat with my right foot). Am I alone with this rare talent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigash Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 [quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1378917917' post='2206515'] Don't blame us, it's all the right handed players that should be playing left handed basses that are the problem [/quote]But then i would be playing right handed and there would still be no basses for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 [i] [/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 [quote name='bigash' timestamp='1378919590' post='2206553'] But then i would be playing right handed and there would still be no basses for me. [/quote] Now I understand why left handed people don't live so long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I'm right handed and play left handed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 It's actually pretty common. When I first got bought a bass my dad asked his left-handed guitar player if he should get my a right or left-hander (I'm a lefty). He said to get him a right, due to the fact that there would be many more options when it came to choosing instruments. So I got a right-handed instrument and that's the way I learnt, it's been 12 years now. Playing left handed is completely alien to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamPodmore Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 I'm right handed, play bass right handed, but am learning to play lefty out of sheer boredom and the want for an obscure bass-related challenge. Liam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 (edited) Guilty. Maybe I got too used to right-handed grand pianos and right-handed church organs (discriminating lot, those church organs!) back in my days, Idunno, but: A left-handed guitar is impossible for me. Everything about it is just as wrong as trying to throw with my right arm or to kick with my right foot. Do my kayaking with a left-handed paddle though, and in playing tennis to some degree have two forehands and two backhands. Four hands! This stuff never ceases to amaze me. Edited September 12, 2013 by BassTractor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 [quote name='LiamPodmore' timestamp='1378927057' post='2206683'] I'm right handed, play bass right handed, but am learning to play lefty out of sheer boredom and the want for an obscure bass-related challenge. Liam [/quote] +1, as a personal challenge. I've not yet got a lefty guitar or bass (can't decide which to start on first...). Just to complicate more, my drums have been set up lefty for the past 40 years or so. Why do I find that a more 'comfortable' set-up..? I dunno. I'm right-handed for most other things... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottomfeed Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 Yup... lefty playing right.... awful lot of it about, you know [size=4] [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Sam Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 I'm a lefty too, I read the the Guardian. [size=4] [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 [quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1378948924' post='2207002'] I'm a lefty too, I read the the Guardian. [/quote] Ah. Slight misunderstanding. See, this thread is not about that kind of lefty. It's about whether you read it the normal way (in Arabic or Hebrew) or in one of those righty languages like English. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenYork Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 (edited) I'm a lefty who plays right handed, just thought it was more natural that way. Edited September 12, 2013 by StephenYork Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dincz Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 Another one here. The first time I picked up a guitar I had no idea where the fat and skinny strings should be so I didn't know it was a righty. It just felt natural to play it right handed and the other way felt completely wrong. I write with the left hand and kick with the left foot but do everything else right handed e.g. bats, rackets etc. This could be the reason for my limited bass playing ability. Don't get me wrong, I'm not totally defeatist - in fact I do aspire to mediocrity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pietruszka Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 Another one here! Left handed but play right handed. That's how I first picked the instrument up and it felt natural. Some posted earlier that it makes sense to have the dominant hand doing the fret work, this makes perfect sense. My girlfriend picked up the ukulele the other day and started strumming it left handed. I fell into the usual "what are you doing? You're right handed!" And she said the same thing, my right hand is more dominant, shouldn't it be on the frets? My band Chloe and the high tides were originally going to be called Chloe and the south paws, as 3/5ths of us are left handed! I'm good with most things right handed, except veg peelers! Christ they are my nemesis! Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorsetBlue Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 [quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1378924591' post='2206641'] I'm right handed and play left handed... [/quote] Me too. My Father in Law is right handed but plays golf left handed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted September 12, 2013 Author Share Posted September 12, 2013 Well I would never have guessed there were so many left-handed people playing instruments intended for right-handers! As I said initially, I thought I was the only one The lefty guitarist / bassist pal I mentioned also said he felt the dominant hand should be doing the trickier fret / finger board work Maybe there's something in that? But obviously, I suppose it's whatever way is more comfortable for the player.... Oddly enough, I use my knife & fork the way right handers do fork in the left hand, knife in the right and I always think right handers use these the wrong way too I mean, when they're eating with a knife & fork, they use the left hand to feed themselves and when eating a dessert they feed themselves with a spoon - in their right hand! Oh dear, have I opened a can of worms (with my right-handed tin opener)? Still interested to hear from other lefties playing right and righties playing left.... Cheers Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 I'm predominantly right handed but I play left handed, as I just cannot physically hold a R/H instrument, let alone play one. It just feels totally wrong and uncomfortable.I believe Jimi Hendrix had the same problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.