Unveiling the Myths: Are Most Guitars Built for Right-Handed Players?
Introduction
The age-old debate regarding guitars and handedness has gained much traction, particularly among new guitar enthusiasts. Often, there is a misconception that most guitars are built and strung specifically for right-handed players. This article aims to debunk this myth and provide a comprehensive understanding of guitar construction and handedness.
Myth Debunked: Are Most Guitars Built for Right-Handed Players?
Contrary to popular belief, the majority of guitars sold are indeed designed for right-handed players. This is due to the simple fact that the vast majority of people are right-handed. In the UK, for instance, you would be very lucky to find even a few left-handed guitars in a typical music store.
What the Market Says
In a market saturated with right-handed guitars, finding a left-handed electric or acoustic guitar might be quite a challenge. Similarly, it is rare to find left-handed 12-string or bass guitars. This supply imbalance has led to a common misconception that most guitars are built for right-handed players. However, this is just a reflection of market demand rather than a fundamental design principle.
Re-stringing and Chord Shapes
Another common misconception is that if you are right-handed, you should re-string your guitar so that your dominant hand is making chord shapes. This is a notion that requires clarification. Re-stringing a guitar would not change the hand that makes chord shapes. To do that, you would need to switch the entire orientation of the guitar and play left-handed, which would be highly impractical and not a recommended practice.
The Rational Approach
The most sensible approach is to acquire a left-handed guitar if you are left-handed and wish to play this way. It would be unwise and impractical for someone who is right-handed to play a guitar that is not designed for their natural handedness.
How Natural Hand Dominance Impacts Playing
When you play a guitar, your dominant hand, typically your right hand for most people, is responsible for strumming and picking, while your non-dominant hand, the left hand, is used to fret chords and notes. This is the standard for right-handed players. However, left-handed players often need to adjust this setup to better suit their hand dominance.
Adapting to Your Hand Dominance
Left-handed guitarists often string their guitars in reverse. This means that the hand that would typically fret chords (usually the left hand) becomes the one that strums and picks for optimal playing. This reconfiguration is done to align the guitar's design with the natural hand dominance of the player, making playing more comfortable and efficient.
Notable Exceptions
There are exceptions to the norm, as evidenced by some famous guitarists who adapted their guitars to their personal style. For example, Jimi Hendrix famously restrung his guitar to play chords with his right hand, thus allowing him to play more naturally. However, this was a conscious choice and not the usual way of playing for right-handed individuals.
The Cost Perspective
While it is generally easier and cheaper to purchase a right-handed guitar, the cost factor is less significant than the practicality and comfort of playing the instrument.
Conclusion
Understanding that the majority of guitars are built for right-handed players is crucial. However, through reconfiguration or the acquisition of left-handed guitars, players can adapt to their natural hand dominance, ensuring a more enjoyable and effective playing experience.