Left or Right handed

**vifferman** · 12th August 2005, 10:39

Interestingly (or, perhaps not) left-handed people are less left-handed than right-handed people are right-handed. So it's easier for left-handed people to use either hand than for right-handed people to. I reckon "ambidextrous", which means roughly "equally right-handed" should really be "ambisinistrous" (or whatever the correct word would be).

There seems to be a higher than usual percentage of IT people who are left-handed, I reckon (haven't done a formal study - just an observation).
I'm firmly right-handed, but one of my three kids is left-handed, as is one of my three sisters. My left-handed son does most things left-handed, but prefers to play guitar right-handed, although I have a suspicion he'd be better if he played a left-handed guitar.

**Lucyloo** · 12th August 2005, 10:53

Write Left handed, but most other things right handed.....but basically ambidextrous when I want to be. Comes in handy when playing pool!
Think I probably do most things right handed because it was easier to adapt in a mainly right handed world.

**scumdog** · 12th August 2005, 11:01

Play golf/hockey etc right handed, do writing, throwing shoot etc left handed.

Being left handed helps when clearing an auto pistol - but sucks when cranking on the bolt of a scope-sighted rifle!

Better for shooting out of passenger side window of car.

Worse for smudging writing.

**Hitcher** · 12th August 2005, 11:08

Originally Posted by vifferman

My left-handed son does most things left-handed, but prefers to play guitar right-handed, although I have a suspicion he'd be better if he played a left-handed guitar.

I once worked with a guy who was very left-handed and had taught himself to play a guitar strung for the right-handed (his rationale was that he didn't own a guitar of his own). What he played sounded OK, but his fret work looked like a crab on steroids running up and down the guitar's neck...

**Motu** · 12th August 2005, 11:13

Originally Posted by vifferman

Interestingly (or, perhaps not) left-handed people are less left-handed than right-handed people are right-handed. So it's easier for left-handed people to use either hand than for right-handed people to. I reckon "ambidextrous", which means roughly "equally right-handed" should really be "ambisinistrous" (or whatever the correct word would be).

I think you are right here

I like your new word...ambisinistrous.The world is dominatly right handed and from a young age lefties can be bent subconsiously to righthanded tasks,and so we get the ''I do this with my right hand,and this with my left hand,so I'm ambidextrous'' I think they are sinistrous,but haven't come out of the closet yet.

Lefties are no longer ''forced'' to become right handed,I just missed out on that myself,our Headmaster in Primary School was a forced righthander and he wouldn't allow it in his school.They tended to be stutter's too,and I had a stutter at school,but don't seem to now,but after a lifetime of talking you tend to st,st,st,stay away from certain wh,wh,wh,words.

**Motu** · 12th August 2005, 11:25

Originally Posted by Hitcher

I once worked with a guy who was very left-handed and had taught himself to play a guitar strung for the right-handed (his rationale was that he didn't own a guitar of his own). What he played sounded OK, but his fret work looked like a crab on steroids running up and down the guitar's neck...

I saw what's her name on The Tem Show the other night playing a guitar upside down.When my daughters were having guitar lessons their teacher wanted the lefty to play a normal guitar upside down,because he said that then she could play any guitar she picked up,my wife agreed with him - but I was having none of it and strung an acoustic for her,then bought her a left Shoei Strat copy,the other daughter has an Arai Les Paul copy.I have a Vestra bass in left hand....I play a sax when my teeth are in good shape,the sax just seems a natural for lefthanded playing.

**Silage** · 12th August 2005, 13:01

Originally Posted by Motu

I saw what's her name on The Tem Show the other night playing a guitar upside down.When my daughters were having guitar lessons their teacher wanted the lefty to play a normal guitar upside down,because he said that then she could play any guitar she picked up,my wife agreed with him - but I was having none of it and strung an acoustic for her,then bought her a left Shoei Strat copy,the other daughter has an Arai Les Paul copy.I have a Vestra bass in left hand....I play a sax when my teeth are in good shape,the sax just seems a natural for lefthanded playing.

Interesting. I am strongly left handed but (probablly cos the only guitars around) play guitar right handed. It feels kinda natural that way and (as commented by Hitcher) it means the fret hand is the strong hand. Since taking up bass, I never even thought about looking at a left hander (would like a fretless tho - anyone?)

I think I need some more lefty smilies -

**Waylander** · 12th August 2005, 13:33

Right hand, left eye. Makes archery interesting...

**sels1** · 12th August 2005, 13:51

Mouse on left side at work, mouse on right side at home. Write with right as taught when young but do lots with the left. Used to annoy bowlers playing indoor cricket by suddenly switching hands as they started their run in.
As a trade/tech type I have to use both hands for a lot of fiddly tasks, often easier to get left hand in to a place the right wont go very well.
Learning piano as a kid and playing a bit of guitar (and now bass - yes another one!) helps keep the co - ordination goodish

**Bonez** · 12th August 2005, 17:19

Originally Posted by Hitcher

The FN 7.62 SLR required some deft hand work when clearing jams but was otherwise OK for lefthanded use. The M16 was great for a burnt cheek.

SLRs had lh kits available ya know.

**Hitcher** · 12th August 2005, 17:37

Originally Posted by Bonez

SLRs had lh kits available ya know.

Really? You mean that instead of offering sarcasm, the weapons instructors could have offered a solution? The bastards!

**Motu** · 12th August 2005, 18:09

Originally Posted by Jimmie

Interesting. I am strongly left handed but (probablly cos the only guitars around) play guitar right handed. It feels kinda natural that way and (as commented by Hitcher) it means the fret hand is the strong hand. Since taking up bass, I never even thought about looking at a left hander (would like a fretless tho - anyone?)

I think I need some more lefty smilies -

It's easy to be taught guitar from a righthander if you are lefty - my wife used to teach me bass lines by standing facing each other,I just mirrored her fret hand.I couldn't play the right hand bass,so worked some nights in a second job and got myself a lefthanded one - but yeah,the dominant hand....I have small hands and the bass needs strength and span on the fret board,the working hand would be better.Pull the frets out with pliers and bog it up like Jaco did....

**James Deuce** · 12th August 2005, 20:22

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Right-handed, left-eye dominant and left-footed. The viewfinders are always on the wrong side of cameras and, even worse, video cameras. My Grandpa encouraged me to shoot lefthanded when I was a kid so's I could aim with both eyes open. I've been doing that naturally since I was 13 or so. No problem unless using an automatic rifle that throws the hot cases out and to the rear. Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch...

That's a bit spooky. Ditto.