So I just bought a $200 Fender yesterday, but I'm having second thoughts.

 

My main point of concern is that I am left-handed, and the obvious bias against south paws suggests that I will have to carry my guitarra with me everywhere to ensure I'll have an instrument to play. So, should I learn right-handed? Is it difficult to go against the grain here? I'd rather have the universal power to take over any guitar at my disposal rather than just hope there is a left-handed version available.

So I just bought a $200 Fender yesterday, but I'm having second thoughts.

 

My main point of concern is that I am left-handed, and the obvious bias against south paws suggests that I will have to carry my guitarra with me everywhere to ensure I'll have an instrument to play. So, should I learn right-handed? Is it difficult to go against the grain here? I'd rather have the universal power to take over any guitar at my disposal rather than just hope there is a left-handed version available.

This likely has very little credence, but I'm right-handed and I play Guitar Hero left-handed. It might be easier to learn to play right-handed, so you can use your left fingers to control the chords and your weaker right hand to strum.

I am left handed, and i have a lefty Epiphone, and a lefty acoustic. Don't change the way you play, it makes you a very original guitarist.

I've never known anyone who was able to change how they played. I knew a lefty who tried to go righty, but he gave up rather quickly. If I were you, I would just stick to lefty. Plus, I don't like playing anyone else's guitar when I can have my own.

Nice, I just needed some reinforcement.

 

If anyone knows of any good websites for guitar tips for beginners, I'd be appreciative. I have a book of scales and chords, but finger placement and finger choice is still confusing.

well... Ive been playing for a few years now, and I recommend starting with the 5 based chords

C A G E D. They will be the easiest on your fingers. The first thing to do is to be able to move between them easily. Try Em instead of E, Asus2 instead of A, and Dsus 2 instead of D. They make things easier.

 

from the top down they are (frets):

 

Asus2: 0 0 2 2 0 0

Dsus2 0 0 0 2 3 0

Em: 0 2 2 0 0 0

 

Next try making it into a song to help the process. Play Em, G, Dsus2, and Asus 2 in that order for Wonderwall, or Boulivard of Broken Dreams. Once you can get around the chords easily, everything becomes more fun.

 

As for finger placement, which ever feels most comfortable is fine.. I never took a lesson so my style might be unorthadox but it works just fine...

I had a friend teach me how to play the basic chords (E, G, F, D, A, C) and just by noodling around for a long time I picked up on the minors and majors. Then I stumbled upon power chords and octave's etc.

 

Learning on acoustic is the best way because you'll build finger strength/calluses and when you pick up a electric guitar it will seem like a breeze (especially if the action is low).

I wish I could play guitar. All I know how to play is the skinflute.

I wish I could play guitar. All I know how to play is the skinflute.

 

 

 

You can take solace in the fact that at least you do it very well AND often.

 

 

 

:lol

What's it called when your finger covers the entire fret? A bar?

 

Whatever it is, I cannot do it.

Play righty it makes things much easier and more accessible.

 

I have a lefty friend and he is a very good righty guitarist

I love my mom's guitar. (Breedlove)

 

It plays like a dream, but I rarely get to play it.

 

I'm stuck with the Washburn.

i would seriously suggest learning right handed.

 

its more convenient and you can pick up a guitar anywhere you are at any party and start jamming with friends, and that's half the fun anyway

Playing right handed is much more convenient in general but from what I've heard it is quite hard to switch if you are naturally left-handed. Give it a go though, I think it just depends on the person. Some people can switch over with little effort, others cannot.

I would love to be able to play this, that would be the shiznit.

But I can't play finger style guitar worth crap.

I would love to be able to play this, that would be the shiznit.

But I can't play finger style guitar worth crap.

 

I have a buddy who can play like that, makes us all look like crap when we play around him...