We’re born left-handed, but when it’s time to learn guitar, we are faced with a choice: do we want to be a left-handed guitar player? Or a left-handed person who plays guitar right-handed? What are the benefits of being a left-handed guitar player?
When I first picked up the guitar, I picked up it up as a left-handed person would. It just seemed comfortable and natural for me. I don’t regret my decision.
If you’re debating whether or not to learn guitar as a left-handed person should (by playing left-handed) or go against your nature and learn right-handed, maybe you’ll be interested to learn the benefits of being a left-handed guitar player. These are just a few observations I’ve picked up over the years.
1. When you’re playing with a right-handed person, you look symmetrical on stage. A left-handed bassist on the right, a right handed guitarist on the left. Lefty and righty combo is called the Stage V! You can also invert this, but you have to be careful not to bang the headstocks together.
2. No one else can play your guitar. When you play the guitar left-handed, other people pick up your ax and generally they struggle with it. Even the mightiest right-handed guitarist looks like a rank amateur when trying to play upside down…unless they have many left-handed friends.
3. Sometimes you can find deals. Left handed electric guitars, especially specialty models, might be in a store for awhile. They collect dust because so few people want to buy them, and the shopkeeper might keep marking the price down in order to move the merchandise. On the other hand, a really good deal on a high-quality left-handed electric guitar probably won’t last very long.
4. You take what you can get. With a limited range of choices, you don’t have to think as hard about your decision. Analysis paralysis of having a thousand possible style and feature combinations. Studies show that people are happier when their choices are restricted. Check out the wikipedia entry on this topic.
5. Left-handed bassists and left-handed guitars are a little more memorable, especially when they can play both left-handed and right-handed. Audiences love a memorable performance, and as a left-handed guitar or bass player, you’re helping to create that effect.
What benefits would you like to add?
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