Violin Forum/Message Board

Dave Chandler · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 3:53 pm Post subject: Left handed violin

This is a new idea to me, had always thought we all played left-handed, and bowed with our right. Silly me. I guess I could understand if someone only had a claw for a left hand that was usable only for bowing. But imagine this kid sitting among the first violins sawing away in a different direction. Its pegged reverse of standard violin. I suppose the bass bar is on the reverse side too, as is the soundpost. Very interesting idea, just had not occurred to me before that anyone would prefer to bow left handed.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Violin-Left-Hand-4-4-Antique-Finish-w-Locking-Case-Bow-Rosin-Helmke-4-4Left-/331511175073?ssPageName=ADME:B:FSEL:US:1123
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Dave in the Blue Ridge
Southern Violin Association

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to the next with no loss of enthusiasm" Winston Churchill

"I took the road less travelled, and now I don't know where I am." Marco Polo

L P Reedy · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: Left handed violin

Michael Darnton · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 6:32 pm Post subject:

Funny thing is, I'm left handed, and I always thought I had the advantage, doing all the fussy little stuff with my good side, and the general whamming and thrashing with the other.
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Dave Chandler · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 7:35 pm Post subject: Left handed violin

Lyle, Thought I saw you "claw" your way through a few tunes at Happy Valley in years past. Hope to see you this year!
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Dave in the Blue Ridge
Southern Violin Association

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to the next with no loss of enthusiasm" Winston Churchill

"I took the road less travelled, and now I don't know where I am." Marco Polo

ollieken · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:55 pm Post subject: Dave

Hello Dave we have 3 players in our group of about 40 That has fiddle set up for left hand (post base bar ).They bow with the left hand . They are good players It is just the way you learn if you are left handed I suppose
Now that is old time fiddle don't know how that would work with
playing other type like (violin) they may have to learn to drink
Champagne before they would catch on to it would be a big change from moonshine Ken

L P Reedy · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 4:44 pm Post subject:

I agree with Michael. For those who don't know me, I have a hook in place of a left hand. You can't note with a hook, but you can bow with it. No wrist, so I have to bow from the shoulder. My main problem is lack of innate talent. BTW, I was ambidextrous before amputating the hand. Pocket knife surgery, not recommended.

Dave, I probably won't make it back to Happy Valley. I don't like that the rules have been relaxed to let not only makers in but just about anybody with an instrument to sell. Main problem, though, is that I can't take the heat anymore and the last time I was there it took two days to recover.

Dave Chandler · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 6:14 pm Post subject:

Lyle -- you'll be missed! Always enjoyed your home-made tools. All the best.
_________________
Dave in the Blue Ridge
Southern Violin Association

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to the next with no loss of enthusiasm" Winston Churchill

"I took the road less travelled, and now I don't know where I am." Marco Polo

ollieken · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 6:36 pm Post subject: L p Reedy

Hi L P sorry to hear about your hand I cant begin to think of
the will it would take to learn to bow without a hand congratulation ken

You may have see this man play
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYmqC5XznEw

L P Reedy · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2015 3:58 pm Post subject:

Mine happened 44 years ago so I'm kind of used to it. I learned to both play and make with the hook. Not much you can't do with one hand.

There are several players who have greater handicaps than mine, some probably not even visible. I don't feel sorry for myself, sometimes still peed off for doing something stupid, but I just do what I can and don't dwell on what might have been.

ps. I have seen that and appreciate it. BTW, if interested in what I look like, do a youtube search for "Lyle Reedy" and you'll find a short clip from a newspaper interview.

ollieken · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 5:50 am Post subject: Hello lyle

Hello Lyle Thank you I had not seen the clip nice work.
Ps years ago A man got his hand caught in a corn harvester & my
friend had to get him free only way was jack knife surgery
It happens so quick it happens a lot on PTO shafts glove gets caught . I have been lucky I guess Ken