The Left Way

If you’ve got any questions, we at Guitar Noise are always happy to answer them. Just send any of your questions to David at [email protected]. He (or another Guitar Noise contributor) may not answer immediately but he will definitely answer!

Here’s another recent email of interest:

I want to learn to play the guitar. But I play left-handed. Any comments about a “lefty” learning to play guitar.

Do you play left-handed? Your pictures show you playing left-handed. Does any of your books have instructions for playing left-handed. And I prefer rock/electric. Should I buy the guide book pertaining to rock first?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hello and thanks for writing!

I play left handed, that’s how I learned from the start.

I’m assuming you have a left handed guitar. Left handed guitars are not upside down or backward as far as the strings go, so you can learn from any book. Going for books that are “learn left handed” are mostly gimmicks, The guitar is still the same and the directions are going to be the same as long as you keep in mind the only thing to remember is that when a book says to use the right hand (or strumming hand) that’s your left hand and vice versa.

Left handed books can actually be harmful, especially if they draw out the chord charts backwards. They are easy enough to learn and when you see them in other books or online they’re always going to be made in the same direction (thickest string on the left, thinnest on the right).

By the bye, if you’re going to get one of my books and you’re more interested in the electric guitar, I’d go with the Rock Guitar book. Both books teach the fundamentals but the rock guitar book really focuses on the electric and on the touch required to play one well.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to email me anytime with more questions. I look forward to hearing how things are going with you.

Peace