Left-handers can play guitar either by restringing a standard guitar or by learning on a guitar built for left-handed players

A left-handed guitarist has two main paths: play a left-handed guitar (strung in mirror image, with the thickest string on top), or play a standard right-handed guitar upside down without restringing. Most left-handers choose one approach and stick with it, though some learn on whichever guitar is available first. The choice depends on what feels natural to your hands, what instruments are accessible to you, and whether you want to match the hand position of other players you learn from.

The core difference is straightforward: on a left-handed guitar, the neck points to your right, the thicker strings sit closest to your face, and your left hand does the fretting (pressing the strings down) while your right hand holds the pick and strums. This mirrors how a right-hander plays, just flipped. On a standard guitar played upside down, the neck still points right, but the string order stays the same—thickest string nearest your face—which changes which fingers reach which notes.

Key Takeaways

  • A true left-handed guitar has its strings restrung in reverse order so the thickest string sits closest to your face and your left hand does the fretting.
  • Playing a standard right-handed guitar upside down without restringing is possible but means the string order is backwards compared to how right-handers play, making it harder to learn from instructional videos or other players.
  • Left-handed guitars cost more and are harder to find in stores, so many left-handers learn on whatever guitar is available and adapt their hand position.
  • Your fretting hand (left) needs more strength and dexterity than your strumming hand, so the hand you choose for fretting matters more than which hand feels dominant.
  • Switching between left-handed and right-handed guitars as an adult is difficult but possible if you learned young enough or practice consistently.

Left-handed guitars: what makes them different

A true left-handed guitar is not straightforward a right-handed guitar held upside down. The strings are physically restrung in reverse order. The thickest string (low E) sits closest to your face instead of farthest away. The nut—the small piece at the head of the guitar where the strings sit—is also reversed so the string spacing matches your hand. The bridge (where strings attach at the body) is often angled differently too, because the string tension pulls differently when the order is flipped.

This setup lets your left hand fret the strings using the same finger patterns a right-hander uses on a right-handed guitar. Your left hand does the precise work of pressing strings down at different frets, and your right hand strums or picks. If you learn on a left-handed guitar from the start, you can follow along with right-handed instructors and other players without translating everything in your head.

Left-handed guitars are made by most major manufacturers—Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Yamaha, and others all produce them—but in much smaller quantities than right-handed models. This means they cost 10 to 20 percent more, take longer to order, and are rarely in stock at local music shops. Online retailers and specialty guitar stores are usually your best bet.

Playing a right-handed guitar upside down

Many left-handers play standard right-handed guitars straightforward by flipping them over. The neck points to your right, your left hand frets, and your right hand strums—same as a left-handed guitar. But the strings stay in their original order: the thickest string (low E) is now farthest from your face, and the thinnest string (high E) is closest.

This works, and plenty of accomplished left-handed players learned this way. The downside is that the string order is backwards compared to how right-handers play. When a right-hander plays an open chord, the strings ring in a certain order. When you play the same chord on an upside-down right-handed guitar, the order is reversed. This makes it harder to follow along with instructional videos, tabs written for right-handers, or other players without mentally flipping everything.

The practical advantage is cost and availability. A right-handed guitar is cheaper and easier to find. If you are borrowing a guitar, learning in a school program, or trying guitar before investing in your own instrument, you may not have a choice. Many left-handers who learned this way straightforward adapted and never switched.

Restringing a right-handed guitar for left-handed play

Some left-handers buy a right-handed guitar and have a technician restring it for left-handed play. This is cheaper than buying a left-handed model but requires more work than straightforward flipping the guitar over. The strings must be removed, the nut filed or replaced to match the new string spacing, and the bridge may need adjustment.

A guitar technician or luthier can do this job, though not all shops offer it. The cost typically runs $50 to $150 in labor, plus the price of a new nut if the original cannot be filed safely. You also lose the resale value of the guitar—a restrung right-handed guitar is harder to sell than either a true left-handed model or a standard right-handed one.

This option makes sense if you already own a right-handed guitar you like and want to keep it, or if you find a used right-handed guitar at a good price. For a first guitar, buying a left-handed model or playing an upside-down right-handed guitar is usually simpler.

Which hand should do the fretting

The hand that frets—that presses the strings down at the frets—does most of the technical work in guitar playing. This hand needs strength, precision, and the ability to move between strings quickly. Your strumming hand needs coordination and rhythm, but less raw finger strength. For this reason, many teachers recommend using your dominant hand for fretting, even if it feels backwards at first.

If you are naturally left-handed, your left hand is likely stronger and more dexterous, making it the better choice for fretting. If you are ambidextrous or right-handed but learning guitar young, you may adapt to either setup. The key is consistency: pick one approach and practice it long enough for your hands to build the necessary muscle memory and strength.

Some left-handers report that playing right-handed (fretting with their right hand) feels unnatural but becomes easier with years of practice. Others say it never feels right. There is no universal rule—it depends on your individual hand strength and how young you were when you started.

Learning from instructors and other players

If you play a left-handed guitar, you can watch instructional videos made for right-handers and follow along directly. The hand positions, finger shapes, and chord diagrams all match. You can also play alongside right-handed musicians without confusion, since your hand positions mirror theirs.

If you play a right-handed guitar upside down, you will need to mentally reverse everything you see. A chord diagram shows the strings in a certain order; you have to flip it in your mind. When a teacher demonstrates a finger position, you mirror it. This is learnable but adds an extra step to every lesson. Some left-handers find online resources made specifically for left-handed players, which show everything already flipped.

In-person lessons with a teacher who plays left-handed are ideal but rare. Many guitar teachers are right-handed and may not be comfortable teaching a left-hander, or may not understand the differences between left-handed and upside-down-right-handed setups. If you take lessons, ask the teacher in advance whether they have experience with left-handed players.

Switching between left-handed and right-handed guitars

Learning to play the opposite way as an adult is possible but slow. Your hands have already built muscle memory for one setup, and retraining them takes consistent practice over months. Most adult players who try to switch give up after a few weeks because the frustration outweighs the benefit.

If you learned guitar as a child on one setup and want to switch as a teenager or adult, you will likely find it easier than someone who learned as an adult. Children's brains are more plastic and adapt to new motor patterns faster. But even then, expect several months of feeling clumsy before the new setup feels natural.

The practical information: choose one setup early and stick with it. If you are just starting, pick whichever guitar is available and affordable. If you are teaching a left-handed child, invest in a true left-handed guitar if possible—it removes one barrier to learning and lets them follow along with instructors and peers without translation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a left-hander play a right-handed guitar without restringing it?

Yes. You straightforward flip the guitar over so the neck points to your right and your left hand frets. The strings stay in their original order, which means the thickest string is farthest from your face instead of closest. This works but makes it harder to follow instructional videos and tabs written for right-handers, since the string order is backwards.

Are left-handed guitars more expensive?

Yes, typically 10 to 20 percent more than comparable right-handed models, because they are made in smaller quantities. They are also harder to find in stores and may require ordering online. Used left-handed guitars are sometimes cheaper if you can find them.

Do I have to use my left hand for fretting?

No. Some left-handers play right-handed guitars with their right hand fretting. This works if you start young or are naturally ambidextrous, but most left-handers find it easier to fret with their left hand, since fretting requires more strength and precision than strumming.

What if I learned on a right-handed guitar and want to switch to left-handed?

Switching as an adult is difficult and takes months of practice. Most people who try it give up. If you are already playing right-handed, you are better off continuing that way unless you have a strong reason to change. If you are teaching a child, start them on the correct setup for their hand dominance from the beginning.

Do left-handed guitars sound different?

No. A left-handed guitar and a right-handed guitar of the same model and quality sound identical. The only difference is the hand position and string order.