Left-Handed Guitar: Should Lefties Play Left or Right-Handed?

If you're left-handed and want to learn guitar, you've probably wondered whether you should buy a left-handed guitar, learn on a regular one, or something else entirely. You may have heard conflicting advice. Some say lefties should always play left-handed; others say everyone should learn right-handed.

The truth is that there's no single right answer, and both approaches work. This guide helps you work out which is best for you and explains everything you need to know about left-handed guitars, from buying to reading chord charts.

What "left-handed guitar" means

On a standard (right-handed) guitar, you strum or pick with your right hand and fret the strings with your left hand. The neck points to your left.

On a left-handed guitar, everything is mirrored. You strum with your left hand, fret with your right, and the neck points to your right. The strings are reversed so the thickest string is still at the top, closest to your face.

Which hand does what?

This is the heart of the decision. Both hands do skilled work:

• The fretting hand forms chords, plays notes and requires finger independence, stretch and precision.
• The strumming hand controls rhythm, timing, dynamics and picking accuracy.

It isn't obvious which is "harder," which is why left-handed players can thrive either way. Some lefties feel their dominant hand should keep the rhythm; others prefer their dominant hand doing the detailed finger work.

How to test which way feels natural

1. Air guitar test: without thinking, pretend to play guitar. Which hand strums? That's often a good clue.
2. Hold a guitar both ways. Hold a right-handed guitar normally, then flipped. Which feels less awkward?
3. Strum both ways. Strum the open strings in a steady rhythm with each hand. Which feels smoother and more controlled?
4. Try a simple chord. Form an E minor chord with each hand. Note which hand feels more coordinated.

Many left-handed people find one way clearly more comfortable. If neither feels clearly better, consider the practical factors below.

Pros and cons of each choice

Option	Pros	Cons
Play left-handed (lefty guitar)	Feels natural for many lefties; strumming with the dominant hand	Fewer models in stores; harder to borrow guitars; mirror diagrams and videos
Play right-handed	Huge choice of guitars; can play any guitar you pick up; lessons and diagrams match directly	May feel awkward at first for some lefties
Flip a right-handed guitar (upside down)	Use any guitar without restringing	Strings reversed; standard chord shapes and lessons don't translate directly

Learning right-handed as a lefty

Plenty of left-handed people play right-handed guitars and never think twice about it. If you're a complete beginner, both hands are equally untrained on guitar, so there isn't a huge built-in advantage either way. The practical benefits of playing right-handed are significant: you can try any guitar in any store, borrow a friend's guitar at a party, and follow lessons without mirroring anything.

If you try right-handed and it feels comfortable after a week or two, it's a perfectly good choice.

Learning left-handed

If strumming with your right hand feels clumsy no matter what, play left-handed. Rhythm is the backbone of guitar playing, and fighting your instincts can be frustrating. Many outstanding guitarists have played left-handed, so it's no barrier to becoming a great player.

The "upside down" approach

Some famous left-handed players learned by flipping a right-handed guitar over without restringing, so the thin strings are on top. It works, but it means all chord shapes are different from what every lesson shows, and most teachers can't easily help. For most beginners, it's better to choose a properly strung lefty guitar or learn right-handed.

Buying a left-handed guitar

• Selection: many major brands make left-handed versions of their popular models, but stores stock fewer of them. Online retailers usually have a better selection.
• Price: some models cost the same as the right-handed version; some cost a little more.
• Acoustic considerations: acoustic guitars have internal bracing and a pickguard designed for one orientation, so a proper left-handed acoustic is better than a flipped right-handed one.
• Electric considerations: on electrics, control knobs and switches are mirrored on lefty models for comfortable access.
• Setup: as with any guitar, a professional setup makes it easier to play.

Converting a right-handed guitar

You can restring a right-handed guitar for left-handed playing. However, the nut slots are cut for specific string thicknesses, so the thick strings may not fit the thin slots and vice versa. On acoustic guitars, the saddle is angled for right-handed intonation, so it should be replaced or reversed. A guitar tech can do this conversion, but it's often simpler to buy a lefty model, especially for acoustic guitars.

Reading chord diagrams and tabs as a lefty

Most chord diagrams and tabs are written from a right-handed perspective. Here's how to handle them:

Tabs

Good news: tabs work the same for everyone. The top line is always the thinnest string (high E), and the numbers are fret numbers. Lefty or righty, you read tab exactly the same way. See our guide on how to read guitar tabs.

Chord diagrams

Chord diagrams show the guitar neck as if it's standing upright facing you, with the low E string on the left. For a left-handed player, the low E is on the right when you look at your own guitar. You can:

• Mentally mirror the diagram.
• Use left-handed chord charts, which are drawn mirrored.
• Remember string numbers: string 6 is always the thickest, string 1 the thinnest. Diagrams labeled with string numbers are easy to follow either way.

Videos

When watching a right-handed teacher face you, a left-handed player sees a mirror image, which can actually be easier to copy. Some video players let you flip the video horizontally, which helps too.

Tips for left-handed beginners

• Decide early and stick with your choice for at least a few weeks before reconsidering.
• Find lefty-friendly resources: mirrored chord charts and lefty-specific lessons save time.
• Get a good setup: left-handed guitars in stores sometimes get less attention; a setup makes a big difference.
• Bring your own guitar to jams and lessons if you play lefty.
• Don't worry about being different. Lefty guitarists have shaped rock, blues, pop and jazz.

Common questions from left-handed beginners

Will I be at a disadvantage?

No. Skill comes from practice, not handedness. The only real challenges are practical: buying and borrowing guitars and translating diagrams.

Can I switch later?

You can, but it's like starting over. It's better to decide early, give it a fair trial, and commit.

What about ambidextrous people?

If you're comfortable either way, playing right-handed gives you the most guitar options.

Learning from a teacher as a lefty

If you take in-person lessons and play left-handed, tell your teacher at the start. Many teachers are used to left-handed students and will sit facing you so you can mirror them, or sit beside you and demonstrate on your side. Ask them to label strings by number rather than "top" and "bottom," which avoids confusion. Online lessons can work well too; flipping the video or watching the teacher face-on often makes copying easier for lefties than for right-handers.

Strumming patterns and picking for lefties

Strumming patterns are written as downstrokes and upstrokes, and "down" always means toward the floor, whichever hand you strum with. So a pattern like "down, down-up, up-down-up" means exactly the same thing for a left-handed player. The same goes for picking directions in tab. The only thing that changes is which hand does the work. If you're unsure, think of a downstroke as moving from the thickest string toward the thinnest.

Famous left-handed approaches

Left-handed guitarists have played in every possible way: on proper left-handed guitars, on flipped right-handed guitars strung normally, and on flipped guitars with the strings left upside down. Some left-handed people play right-handed and never consider the alternative. The variety shows that there's no single correct method. What matters is that your choice lets you play comfortably and practice consistently. Pick the approach that feels best for your hands, and give it time.

Gear checklist for left-handed players

• A left-handed guitar (or right-handed, if that's your choice) with a good setup.
• A strap, and strap locks if you'll play standing.
• A clip-on tuner that works on either side of the headstock, or our online tuner.
• Left-handed chord charts, printed or saved on your phone.
• A capo, which works the same for everyone.

Quick recap

• Lefties can succeed playing either left-handed or right-handed.
• Test both ways: air guitar, strumming and a simple chord.
• Right-handed gives more guitar choice; left-handed may feel more natural for rhythm.
• Tabs read the same for everyone; mirror chord diagrams or use lefty charts.

Next steps

Do the air guitar and strumming tests today. If one way feels clearly more natural, go with it. If not, try right-handed for two weeks. Then start with our guide to your first five chords.

Fretwork starts with a quick skill check, then builds a step-by-step path around your level, from your very first chords to playing real songs. The first two stages are free, no card required.

Frequently asked questions