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Upside down left handed guitar playing

Experience in the area

I have played an upside down guitar for the past 30 years. Although it is somewhat unique, there are many distinct limitations as one becomes more serious musician. Many bad habits (partial chording) are picked up because many finger positions (alternate chords included) are totally impossible. Picking stings requires the "pinkie" to carry the bass line. I took classcial lessons for 12 months or so and it just became a physical impossibility to duplicate the "proper positioning". I am able to play several difficult pieces, but I do have to "cheat" to complete them. My advice to all new guitar players (less than 3 years experience) would be to restring the instrument properly. The reward will be there down the road. We probably would never have heard of Hendrix had he chosen to play upside down and backwards.

Education/Credentials

I am a self-taught guitar player with no formal training.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Be sure to review some of the You Tube videos. There are many others out there, playing today that have beat there specific handicaps.

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    K = Knowledgeability    C = Clarity of Response    T = Timeliness    P = Politeness
UserDateKCTPComments
Kevin10/07/0910101010 
Alexander12/01/0810101010 
Barry08/04/0810101010Thank you ever so much for your .....
JIM07/23/0810101010Good Straight forward response...Thank you again .....
Devin03/03/0810101010Thanks alot for the advice. I see .....

Recent Answers from Joe O'Neill

2009-10-08 Guitar Stands:

Will - It's about time someone addressed this problem....and indeed it's always been a problem. Just last night I was setting my bass guitar into it's a-frame saddle, but the guitar sat too low in the

2009-10-05 Left hand guitar:

Kevin - You're correct. Left handed acoustics can be somewhat expensive. If you are a newbie player, my advice would be to purchase a right handed acoustic and change the strings around for left handed

2009-09-29 bass guitar selection...:

Sorry for delay in getting back to you, but there must have been a glitch. I never received the first email from Guitar Experts. Anyway, I'll try my best to answer the question you have. It won't surprise

2008-09-23 guitars:

While I surely knowthat money does not grow on trees, be careful in buying the first guitar! The less you pay for a guitar, the more difficult is will be to play because the strings will be more difficult

2008-08-04 3 fingered righty of upside down lefty?:

Barry - No doubt. Play upside down right-handed guitar. Strum with the left and make chords with your right. You could do this even if you had no left hand whatsoever. Google Phil Keaggy and you will see

 

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