Monday, February 11, 2008

Left Handed Guitar Chord And Barre Chord Pictures

Like I said in an earlier post, I read an article about playing the guitar left handed where the author said that you shouldn't try to play a right handed guitar upside down because certain chords are impossible to make. I stated that that was a bunch of bull and now I am ready to back up my claim.
I have provided pictures of myself making "impossible" chords with my right hand.
Some of these chords are actually easier to make than when playing a left handed guitar. The basic G chord (see photo) is very simple and looks like an obscene gesture. I get funny looks with that one. With the Barre G the strings are completely pressed down on the third fret with the index finger and an E type chord is pressed with the remaining three fingers. I use the first three fingers for a basic A chord but you can also press these three strings with only the index finger if it is more comfortable. I have tried to make a basic F chord on a left handed guitar and found it difficult but when I make the chord upside down on a right handed guitar it is much easier.
I have only provided pictures of the basic chords and a few Barre chords that are used quite often, so if you are learning to play a right handed guitar left handed I hope they will help. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me at bwillismusic@gmail.com or visit my web site at http://benwillismusic.com

2 comments:

Tom said...

I just found your site and your post. I've been playing left-handed-upside-down since 1972 and it's always fun to find somebody else who's doing it.

While it looks like you and I both play the B, C and D chords the same way, I find it interesting how you play the A chord.

My "A" is a one-fingered creature; I just push down the three strings with my index finger, kinda like a slide, I guess.

Interestingly, I also play the mandolin right-handed upside down, which a musician friend pointed out, is actually like play a guitar right-side up. So I guess if I ever wanted to switch it wouldn't be that hard. But I don't!

Thanks

Tom Tuerff
www.myspace.com/tomtuerffmusic

Ben Willis said...

Thanks Tom, I also play an A chord with the index finger but use three fingers when I play rhythm mostly. I don't know why I used the three finger method in the picture, probably just used to it.
I am also learning the mandolin (upside down of course) and didn't think about it as being the same as playing right handed. That's good to know. Ben

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Ben Willis demonstrating the "left handed upside down guitar method".


A chord

B Chord

C Chord

D Chord

E Chord

F Chord

G Chord

B Barre Chord

D Barre Chord

Contact Info

E-mail Ben Willis at
bwillismusic@gmail.com