Should You Play Left-Handed Guitar? How to Know

If you’re a left-handed person who’s just getting started on guitar, you may question whether you should play left-handed or right-handed. Even if you’re sure that you’re a left-handed guitar player, you may have questions about learning, playing, or purchasing a guitar.

It’s important to take the time to sort through misconceptions regarding left-handed playing and approach the guitar in a way it really works for you. You may hear that it’s more difficult to learn on a left-handed guitar. Or, you might be told that quality left-handed instruments are too expensive or hard to find. The truth is, it’s no more difficult to learn left-handed guitar than right and you’ll find ample options for instruments. That said…

If you look for an answer from either an online or in-person guitar teacher, you’re likely to encounter advice that feels dismissive or unrealistic. Some teachers will say to just get a left-handed guitar if you’re left-handed. Others will insist that you’ll learn more easily on a right-handed guitar, regardless of your natural handedness. From those who are open to the possibility that the same solution doesn’t fit every player, you’ll hear advice like “play a simple scale or song both ways and see which one feels better.” But that’s not possible if you don’t know how to play anything! Unfortunately, the typical guitar teacher is ill-equipped to advise you on your decision.

I’ve had students who’ve played for years—usually with one or more teachers—and gotten stuck at a certain level as a result of poor advice. These people tend to show up to guitar lessons playing right-handed guitar and don’t even think to mention they are left-handed. I become suspicious about handedness when a problematic area in their playing (usually rhythm) stubbornly resists the other remedies I’ve proposed. I’ve now learned to ask which hand is dominant early on in lessons!

I’ve developed some simple, fool-proof tests that will enable you to play in the most natural, and therefore most effective way. The most important thing is to learn the correct way from the beginning, so don’t wait to make your decision.

Tests to Help Determine Guitar Handedness

The majority of left-handed people choose to play right-handed guitar and are comfortable and successful with that. A lot of people really need to play left-handed guitar, though. I have two ways of helping my left-handed students determine the best choice.

I first ask the student to use each hand separately to clap a few rhythmic patterns while I watch and listen for coordination, strength, and accuracy. Right-handed people will have stronger rhythm in their right side, but surprisingly, many left-handed people will, too. These people all belong in the right-handed guitar-playing group. If the person performs the rhythmic exercises more easily and correctly with the left hand, I strongly suspect they’ll do better as a left-handed guitar player.

Then, to see which way is more natural, I observe the person holding the guitar—correctly—both ways. In addition to sensing tension, I look for upper body balance and proper angles in both forearms and hands. I have always found the result to be consistent with the first test.

Both of these tests require an observer who is musically skilled, has a keen eye and is educated in body mechanics. If you’re in doubt about your guitar handedness and don’t have a helper with these attributes, I’m happy to help you. If you’re not sure which type of lesson to choose or if you have any other questions, you can email me here.

Left-Handed Guitar Options

If you’ve chosen to play left-handed and don’t have a left-handed guitar, start by turning your right-handed guitar upside down. Once you’ve found a comfortable position, you’ll be faced with two options: play it as it is, with the sixth string (the thickest string) on the bottom and the high E string on the top, or re-string the guitar so that the strings are in the usual order.

Most left-handed players choose to re-string the guitar. If you do this, you’ll be able to play mirror-image to right-handed players. Of course, on an acoustic guitar the pick guard and strap button won’t be in the usual places. On an electric guitar you’ll also have an upside-down jack, cutaway, and control knobs. Because of this, some guitarists prefer a left-handed model of guitar. Others, however, have achieved success playing upside down, unaltered guitars. 

Folk icon Elizabeth Cotten, surf guitar king Dick Dale and blues master Albert King are three famous left-handed guitarists who, instead of re-stringing an upside-down guitar, chose to play with the sixth string on the bottom and the thinnest strings on the top. Each of these profoundly influential artists produced a unique sound that’s widely mimicked by right-handed guitarists.

Learning Differences

If you’re just beginning with left-handed guitar, you may feel that your biggest challenges will be learning from written materials or videos. It’s true that you’ll have to make some mental adjustments to read chord diagrams, but even right-handed people can get confused in the beginning. If you’re having trouble relating your own guitar and finger placement to a chord diagram, you can try holding a mirror to it. Before long you’ll be able to read the chord diagrams for right-handed players without the mirror. Practice until you can do this because it will enable you to use any chord charts.

When learning from written directions, you’ll simply learn to think “fretting hand” or “right hand” instead of “left hand” on most instruction.

Learning from a video guitar lesson or a live teacher may actually be easier than if you were playing right-handed, because you’ll be directly mirroring the instructor. If you’re taking an in-person lesson, it may be harder for your teacher than for you, though, assuming your teacher is a right-handed guitar player. For this reason, it’s a good idea to choose an instructor who can easily read your fretboard and hands. You’ll also want to work with someone who is clear when referring to your fretting hand. You’ll want to check out these traits of a good guitar teacher to find the best instructor you can.

Be Well!

Regardless of your handedness, it is important to practice healthy posture and technique in order to meet your personal musical goals and avoid pain. Keep an open mind, learn about music, learn about yourself, and have a good time. Playing guitar is just plain fun, whether you play  upside down, right-side up, or behind your head!