Date: 3/29/09
Subject: Left-Handed Questions

Hi Mickey,

Good to hear! I was getting lost in my research so I figured I better just order and learn from there. Glad to hear I didn’t choose something horribly wrong. Upgraded the bow one step for no reason that I know of, but figured if I was spending the money I might as well for just a little more.  Not sure I needed a chin rest as a beginner either, but it seemed most people used them. This violin appeared to have a little bit darker finish than most which I prefer.

Not sure what everyone means by reading the music backwards if you are left-handed, but I guess that will be obvious once I try this. Does anyone write for left-handed players?

Thanks again for your help. The violin should be here Tuesday or Wednesday, but I work during the day so it may end up back at the post office if it is not left on the doorstep, which means I will most likely not be able to pick it up until Saturday and then I leave on Sunday for a short business trip. Depending upon when it comes in I may just wait until 9 to pick it up and then go to work late. I probably won’t even know if it is in tune or not because I have no clue about this and I am going to try and teach myself the basics. Should be good for a few laughs until I find someone locally that can teach and understand left-handed players. Not sure there will be someone. Do you offer any videos that are geared specifically for left-handers. It must have been challenging for you to learn as well.

Thanks a ton for everything!

Michelle

Hi Michelle,

This is all I could find for left-handed studies ... there doesn't seem to be a video produced and dedicated for left-handers:
http://www.theviolinsite.com/lefthand.html

There is a book out that argues the value of bowing with the dominant hand:
http://www.captainfiddle.com/playvioleftbook.html

This book is a compendium of left handed violin
and fiddling facts and contains everything you
might want to know about the subject of playing
violin left handed. It documents the biographies
and experiences of over 100 people who play violin
lefthanded, including professional folk fiddlers,
chamber music players, and concert violinists.
There's a chapter on where to find a left handed
violin or get a right handed fiddle converted to
left, including a list of violin makers who are happy
to oblige lefty players and a detailed discussion of the conversion process.

And, I've also written a review of the above book on my:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page4141.htm FAQ page ... which also has a lot of tidbits of left-handed violin info ...

Mickey

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Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 01:03:16 -0700
Subject: Re: looking for left handed fiddle/violin

If you have any suggestions on who sells these please let me know.

Bill B.
Chief ~ Fire Marshall

Greetings Bill ... these are somewhat difficult to find ... notwithstanding, I happen to be left-handed, and have learned to play right-handed. As far as fiddles go, left-handed playing is never frowned upon ... however, when it comes to classical violin, and playing in orchestras, left-handed players are encouraged to play right-handed ... for it would otherwise be out of sync in an orchestra line-up.

All my best in your research efforts,

Mickey Cochran

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