On being a Lefty

Sometimes we don't know why we are good or bad at something. In playing the Piano, I never really noticed the difference from being left handed or right. I am sure that there is a difference, I know I could do a trill quicker with my left hand than my right, but I was never a totally accomplished pianist - I do know that setting up the piano for a left hander, while not being totally impossible, is completely unpractical. I wouldn't know where to begin.

Setting up a guitar is a totally different story. Jimi Hendrix figured it out by just learning to play upside down. It is a little more complicated than just restringing the guitar - minor bridge work and neck work needs to be done, but not much else. Yet, finding a left handed guitar is next to impossible. One music store in Madison www.sprucetreemusic.com had them in stock. Yet 10 percent of all people are left handed. (Technology Education teachers make up a much higher percentage - but that is another story, another time)

I have read all sorts of reasons why a "lefty" should pick up a right hand standard guitar from "It is an advantage, as your dominate hand will be playing the chords and fingering" to "you can pick up a guitar anywhere and play it - left handed guitars are not available everywhere." I find all arguments to be total bunk. It reminds me of my golf class in college (the basic phy ed requirement) where only right handed clubs were available. The instructor told me that that I was at an advantage, as that is the way all should play. Well, then why don't they? Why are golf clubs pointed one way, and guitars designed one way?

Well, I bought a guitar at age 55 on Ebay - a left handed one at that. Started taking lessons with a great instructor - Richard Gordon. I bought a beautiful Larivee guitar at Spruce Tree. I've got callouses on my fingers, and can strum a mean tune. And I love it. And I want more guitars. Big ones, little ones, electric ones. With retirement looming, I started thinking about my tech ed (shop teacher) background, enjoyment of wood working, love of music, and it all started to make sense. I will make them!