Full Version: Left-handed Violin?
As a busy peripatetic violin teacher in Lancashire, a new pupil came to me this week with a violin that has been "swapped" over for left handed use. She's had a few months lessons on it this way, but I don't know what to do. She is seven. At risk of discouraging her, I'm wondering if it's ok to carry on teaching her in this way. I don't even know The Board's view on this. Can anyone advise me please?!!
QUOTE(liz1594 @ Sep 13 2006, 03:02 PM) 
As a busy peripatetic violin teacher in Lancashire, a new pupil came to me this week with a violin that has been "swapped" over for left handed use. She's had a few months lessons on it this way, but I don't know what to do. She is seven. At risk of discouraging her, I'm wondering if it's ok to carry on teaching her in this way. I don't even know The Board's view on this. Can anyone advise me please?!!
There is no problem with playing left handed violins as far as I'm aware (unless she wants to play in an orchestra, in which case it would ruin symmetry). However, swapping a normal violin to make it left handed is not a good long term solution - really she should have a proper left handed violin as on her current one the bass bar will be under the high notes and the soundpost will be under the low notes.
This thread talks about "handedness" and I did a post on the 2nd page about lefthanded violins which I think/hope is reasonably factually correct.
IMO, and I am no expert, lefthanded playing is fine if the player knows they won't ever want to play in an orchestra and doesn't mind continually having to search for appropriate violins. As Allan says, one that has been "swapped" is not truly a lefthanded violin and won't perform as well as it should because it wasn't made to be played that way round.
...If you're interested, this is my take on the subject... I will stress that I am no expert, not even marginally, but personally I can't help thinking that the complexity required of both hands, and the unnatural posture etc, suggest that which way round you play a violin won't make that much difference - both hands need to be reasonably dextrous and skillful, and it's going to be difficult anyway! - and I don't think the advantages would outweigh being unwelcome in orchestras (yeah it's a symmetry thing, but also having all your fiddlers and other sideways instruments the same way round makes arranging your sections a heck of a lot easier!!
) & limited choice of instruments. I know at least one lefthanded studying strings "righthanded" at music college, and apparently Paganini was lefthanded too... draw your own conclusions - that's just my deeply inexpert take though, and maybe lefthanded violinists will become less rare if students start getting taught that way...
IMO, and I am no expert, lefthanded playing is fine if the player knows they won't ever want to play in an orchestra and doesn't mind continually having to search for appropriate violins. As Allan says, one that has been "swapped" is not truly a lefthanded violin and won't perform as well as it should because it wasn't made to be played that way round.
...If you're interested, this is my take on the subject... I will stress that I am no expert, not even marginally, but personally I can't help thinking that the complexity required of both hands, and the unnatural posture etc, suggest that which way round you play a violin won't make that much difference - both hands need to be reasonably dextrous and skillful, and it's going to be difficult anyway! - and I don't think the advantages would outweigh being unwelcome in orchestras (yeah it's a symmetry thing, but also having all your fiddlers and other sideways instruments the same way round makes arranging your sections a heck of a lot easier!!
) & limited choice of instruments. I know at least one lefthanded studying strings "righthanded" at music college, and apparently Paganini was lefthanded too... draw your own conclusions - that's just my deeply inexpert take though, and maybe lefthanded violinists will become less rare if students start getting taught that way...
Proper "leftie" violins are available - Elidatrading can obtain them for one - but to be honest, left-handed playing is not something I would recommend.
It would be impossible to play in any sort of string or orchestral ensemble, simply because of the logistics that you'd be seated in what is effectively the opposite direction to everyone else, so unless a pupil is prepared to go it alone or perhaps turn to jazz or folk, left-handed playing is a no-no.
The excuse that a left-handed player finds it easier to use the right hand to produce the notes is unfounded. I know of plenty of violinists who are left-handed, but have never even considered 'swapping sides' with their bow and instrument.
It would be impossible to play in any sort of string or orchestral ensemble, simply because of the logistics that you'd be seated in what is effectively the opposite direction to everyone else, so unless a pupil is prepared to go it alone or perhaps turn to jazz or folk, left-handed playing is a no-no.
The excuse that a left-handed player finds it easier to use the right hand to produce the notes is unfounded. I know of plenty of violinists who are left-handed, but have never even considered 'swapping sides' with their bow and instrument.
Update: I wrote a tactical letter to parents asking for the violin to be changed back, and they agreed, and I do think it's going to be the best way forward for the pupil involved. Thanks everyone for help 
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