Leeroy Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Hello, firstly I apologise is I have posted in the wrong section I got here less than 2 minutes ago So yea, about me. Ive played on and off electric guitar for about a year. Im left handed and play a lefty guitar BUT i'm thinking of starting bass. Now my dilemma is that now im starting bass should i play a lefty or a right (normal) bass. Arguements FOR playing Left: - I have some dexterity already there from electric experience - It feels naturally good and it what I learned on Arguements FOR playing Right: - Wayyy more selection of guitars! - Cheaper guitars - Dont get people slagging you for playing left handed -.- Arguments AGAINST Left: - Really really poor selection of guitars in comparison to right - People slag you off for playing it wrong (not all) - Cant pick up and play other peoples rightys Arguments AGAINST Right: - I will have to start over building up dex and strength - Feels very retarded at the moment but I think(?) that it will eventually become second nature with practice - My ring finger on my left hand (fretting hand for playing righty) has been dislocated before resulting in the end joint of that finger not being able to bend upwards much, making bridging over multiple strings very hard (almost impossible) BUT for bass technique do you even need to bridge over strings? aka with a flat finger? Or is it mostly finger work... Cheers guys, personally im happy to learn right handed aslong as it will eventually feel better once I practice! and also as long as the lack of movement in that joint doesnt effect the play. Appreciate any help people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Welcome Leeroy! Mighty fine first question! My vote goes for playing bass right handed. The dosh you'll save down the years on not having to use left handed basses, amp heads, cabinets, cases, stands, strings etc,. will make the learning curve well worth it ..., It will also give you a great party trick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 [quote name='OldGit' post='295464' date='Sep 30 2008, 02:54 PM']Welcome Leeroy! Mighty fine first question! My vote goes for playing bass right handed. The dosh you'll save down the years on not having to use left handed basses, amp heads, cabinets, cases, stands, strings etc,. will make the learning curve well worth it ..., It will also give you a great party trick [/quote] Left Handed amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeefChief Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I'd say play left handed. You're left handed. Be proud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeroy Posted September 30, 2008 Author Share Posted September 30, 2008 Yea its just left handed there are many limitations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDarkReaver Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 [quote name='OldGit' post='295464' date='Sep 30 2008, 02:54 PM']Welcome Leeroy! Mighty fine first question! My vote goes for playing bass right handed. The dosh you'll save down the years on not having to use left handed basses, amp heads, cabinets, cases, stands, strings etc,. will make the learning curve well worth it ..., It will also give you a great party trick [/quote] Left handed strings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 If you didn't already play guitar left-handed then I'd say play right-handed. Then again you haven't been playing guitar for long. Hmmm, tough one... Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fumps Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Yeh mate if you feel better playing left go for left mate. I'm gob smacked as to why someone would slag off someone for playing a lefty......silly inbreeds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeroy Posted September 30, 2008 Author Share Posted September 30, 2008 Yea, im prepared to learn right tho. I just hope that 1) it will feel good after practice and 2) that the limited movement on the fretting ring finger wont interfear, but I dont think you do bridge when playing bass? Also since its bass then surely playing it with your 'bad' hand isnt quite as hard as electric because its more finger work? Or am I talking crap i dunno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I guess you won't need a left handed plectrum then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skywalker Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Go to a music shop and try a right handed bass, and see if it feels okay, if not try a left handed, go with whichever you find easier. As far as I know most basses come in left or right hand (someone will tell me I am wrong in that no doubt), but look at online stores for left handed basses and see what is out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 you could always play lefty, but buy righty and string it upside down, a la cobain and hendrix et al...you get to keep your dexterity, and get the choice of basses (but upside down!) so could be a win-win? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirkThrust Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 [quote name='phil_the_bassist' post='296158' date='Oct 1 2008, 08:28 AM']you could always play lefty, but buy righty and string it upside down, a la cobain and hendrix et al...you get to keep your dexterity, and get the choice of basses (but upside down!) so could be a win-win?[/quote] Good idea. You would have to replace the nut though, but that's a fairly simple job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 (edited) [quote name='AndyMartin' post='296164' date='Oct 1 2008, 08:42 AM']Good idea. You would have to replace the nut though, but that's a fairly simple job.[/quote] and ... you can turn yourself down with your forearm! OK I confess, the left handed amp, strings, pick, etc was a joke, well, like a joke only not really funny Took you all a while to pick it up though Nah, Play right handed for 6 months and see how it feels ... Edited October 1, 2008 by OldGit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 You have to try both ways and see what feels most natural, especially playing continuously for an hour or so. My left-handed son (13) has just started on bass, and immediately went for playing right handed, I didn't push him either way Personally I'm thinking of getting a left-handed Wal and playing it upside down as they're the only remotely affordable ones I ever see! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Think about trying a violin bass (either a genuine German Hofner, or a Hofner-made Chinese one, or one of the many cheap copies). Once you take off the pick-guard, it looks the same played either R/H or L/H except that the controls may be on the "wrong" side. You could then try playing the same bass both ways, and decide which you prefer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 I always wondered why left handed instruments existed... after all, both hands are doing lots of stuff. On reflection, I think I've concluded that your picking hand is actually doing the *hard* work. If you go for a right handed bass, you just might be crippling your playing from the start or at least making it harder than it could be. You don't need a big selection of basses... you only need one! Ultimately, it may mean you have to special order something and wait rather than grab it off the rack and it might cost you a bit more, but it's only money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 [quote name='Happy Jack' post='296209' date='Oct 1 2008, 09:29 AM']Think about trying a violin bass (either a genuine German Hofner, or a Hofner-made Chinese one, or one of the many cheap copies). Once you take off the pick-guard, it looks the same played either R/H or L/H except that the controls may be on the "wrong" side. You could then try playing the same bass both ways, and decide which you prefer.[/quote] And work for ever in a Beatles tribute band! Genius! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 (edited) [quote name='thepurpleblob' post='296236' date='Oct 1 2008, 09:45 AM']I always wondered why left handed instruments existed... after all, both hands are doing lots of stuff. On reflection, I think I've concluded that your picking hand is actually doing the *hard* work. If you go for a right handed bass, you just might be crippling your playing from the start or at least making it harder than it could be. You don't need a big selection of basses... you only need one! Ultimately, it may mean you have to special order something and wait rather than grab it off the rack and it might cost you a bit more, but it's only money [/quote] There's loads of players on here who are sinister but play right handed .. Some big name players do too. Leeroy: Re your poor broken finger tip; Don't worry, you can actually play bass effectively with three fingers on your fretting hand. You will just develop your own technique. Edited October 1, 2008 by OldGit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 [quote name='OldGit' post='296259' date='Oct 1 2008, 10:13 AM']And work for ever in a Beatles tribute band! Genius![/quote] Thinks: [i]Resist, resist, don't rise to the bait ...[/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassMunkee Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 [quote]you could always play lefty, but buy righty and string it upside down, a la cobain and hendrix et al...you get to keep your dexterity, and get the choice of basses (but upside down!) so could be a win-win?[/quote] Although not exactly like them, as you would have to choke on your own vomit or shoot yourself in the face... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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