5 replies to this topic

[newbiepicker]

Hello all, I am very new to the guitar scene. I played drums for about 4 years and eventually lost interest in playing music until a few months ago. I've always been passionate for music, but I've never strived to play. Anyways, I am left handed in writing and other functions, but my right hand is my throwing hand and has always been fairly more dominant really. When I was a senior in high school I suffered an injury to my left ring finger (jersey finger), which resulted in a surgery to reconnect my tendon to the top part of the bone. After a few months of rehab and no progress at all my finger has been stuck bent and curled down for quite some time. I'm finally having surgery soon to correct this, however, my finger likely will never bend the same as it once did. My question is what is the realm of possibility with playing left handed as opposed to right? Could I through much time, effort, and commitment learn to play with my right hand as my fret hand? I am willing to put in countless hours to lean the guitar as I have never wanted to express myself through music as much as I want to now. Any advice, tips, etc. is much appreciated Also if anyone needs any more information that I might not have expressed that could help as well please feel free to ask. Thank you for your time.

[dutchman063]

The number one answer is going to be right handed for obvious reasons like choice of available guitars to chose from...i play left handed as i am left handed... it seemed the most natural, comfortable position when i started, so i went with it.

[OldG]

Damaged left hand..... that would suggest the need to use your right hand for fretting - left handed guitar it is then.

[mset3]

Newbiepicker,

finger flexibility is a must for playing chords and lead. I would suggest you go with a left handed guitar.

Mike

[paulg1630]

maybe play a left handed guitar since ur naturally left handed.personally i learnt on a right handed guitar even tho im left handed also it felt unatural but ive done it now .its what feels most comfortable that counts i would say.

[starsailor]

Hi Newbiepicker, welcome to the forum, I play right handed and also have a dodgy finger on my left hand but it don't think it's as bad as yours, I got kicked by a horse and it's been a bit bent ever since, does make stretching a bit difficult, as you're starting from scratch you could go for left handed and see how it goes, if it's not working for you, you can always switch to right, Django Rheinhardt only had the use of two fingers on his fretting hand after an accident and adapted his style so these things can be overcome, there's also a Lady on here called Carol M who had to switch to left from right after her fretting hand got injured, I tried to do it but failed miserably just didn't feel comfortable to play, so it's down to the willpower of the individual. Maybe you could go to a store and check out some lefties to see how they feel, the availability of left handed guitars is a bit limited but there are more on the market than there used to be, right handed ones can also be adapted to left too if it's required. Hope you get on ok and keep us posted on your progress.