How To Play Ukulele Left Handed - Got A Ukulele Beginners Tips

[@bertilak6580]

Yay for not telling left-handers what they should do! I was advised to play air guitar without thinking about it to see what was most natural to me, which is to strum with my left (I swap the strings over). One thing I wish all makers would do, is to put side fret dots on both sides of the neck. It’s such a small thing and would make so much difference to us lefties.

[@GotAUkulele]

Yep - agreed on the dots!

[@moony.riptide]

I'm a rightie but I prefer to play left handed for some reason... My mom said she forced me to become a rightie when I was really small but I don't even remember it

[@ThatGuy-cb3yv]

I'm a lefty and I play left handed, flipped a right handed uku and flipped the strings. I got a paint pen and put my own marks on the neck. Then I Went to the internet and found lefty chords for reference. I did find an electric lefty on Amazon for $80. It's not great but i love it. Embrace your left hand... it is your destiny.

[@ms.anonymous7928]

They need to make more left-handed ukuleles that’s weird that they don’t.

[@GotAUkulele]

Far fewer buyers - is the simple reason. About 10% of the population.

[@KydLives]

Yeah true

[@lptmbbyy]

haha I was watching this because I accidentally got a left one instead of the right one I'm just going to learn it the way it is though

[@ms.anonymous7928]

@Blitzooooooooooooo unfortunately no bc the cords would be backwards

[@redpaul101]

Absolutely agree with your main point that as a left-hander, choose what works for you. But I'd stress _not_ to say to yourself "I'm left-handed, therefore..." I'd always encourage someone taking up the ukulele (if it's their first chordophone) to do as you suggest (3:00) - to try playing right-handed at first (there's no previous experience to 'unlearn'). If it's not working for you, then of course switch to playing left-handed - and it's easier to switch the orientation of a ukulele than almost any other stringed instrument. As to cutaways, volume controls etc being on the "wrong"- side (2:00), you gotta remember, it's a right-handed world. Almost every piece of equipment you're confronted with that could be operated with one hand, from scissors to mobile phones to cameras to microwave ovens.... will be set up to be operate right-handed. In other words, we lefties are so used to things being organised the wrong way round for us that we hardly notice. So cutaways, etc., being the wrong way round may not be as big an obstacle to a lefty as it may appear to a right-hander. Also (5:19), add Joe Strummer, Wilko Johnson to that list of lefties that played right. I'm lefty, but play right, as do most (not all!) of the left-handed ukulele players I know. I did decide, about 5 years ago, to see if I had made a mistake going down the right-handed route, so I restrung one of my ukes 'lefty' (AECg), and taught myself to play 'left.' I made two interesting discoveries. First, the trickiest thing to get used to was not navigating the fretboard with my 'weak' hand, but learning to strum with my 'dominant' hand. I spent maybe 3 nights, just strumming a Z-chord before I even began experimenting with a C. Second, there was no breakthrough, no 'Eureka' moment. Playing left did not come 'naturally' to me. It does not come naturally to me now. Which of course is all grist to the mill of your sage counsel. Play it using the orientation that's most 'natural' to you. A few years ago, a young lad turned up at one of our workshops with his dad, and asked for a left-handed uke. He was about 10-11. I asked him how long he'd been playing. He replied this was his first time. I gave him my standard 'try right-hand first' spiel, at which his dad rolled his eyes "He is right-handed!" He explained. "It's him and his mother playing Guitar Hero all day!" The lad had mirrored what he'd watched on his TV - and playing 'left' had become 'natural' for him!

[@ilar1947]

I'm leftie. I have played guitar for years so I already have things like basic coordination. I decided to buy right handed ukulele and flip it. I did not flip the strings and it works well for me. I think this was the easiest option for me.

[@GotAUkulele]

And that’s all that matters!

[@musicbringssmiles123]

I am left handed I never tried to play the uke left-handed because I know how much of a pain it is with instruments being set up for the right hand i’ve never thought about flipping it and not flipping the strings, but I think that would just confuse me. I started playing in December and I think I’m doing fairly well my strumming patterns I have a difficult time getting down and that’s probably because it’s not with my dominant hand, but I’ll get there.

[@lizbethm1590]

I’m a lefty.. I prefer to play right-handed. Still feels natural 🙋🏻‍♀️

[@qistinaezzati3568]

Wait can ya play right Habd tho..I try right Hand n feel a bit numb

[@qistinaezzati3568]

Btw your awesome

[@anitakoch6054]

Great video and great tips! I literally just started playing my daughter’s righty uke. I played viola right-handed in school because there was no choice. I never felt relaxed playing that. I have learned 4 chords righty on the uke. I flipped ‘er over, and played chords upside down and strumming felt WAY better! I am definitely a dominant lefty. I will likely learn upside down for now, so that I can play Sam’s uke for now.

[@KayemGenmo]

I'm using the second method so down is up and I strum w my left as well. I had to make flashcard as I figured out how to do chords q my right hand and short fingers. Arthritis and carpal tunnel has dictated this, and also it fits how my mind works. Having a hard time doing a Chuck and Fm

[@swweetasmumnz8732]

Thanks heaps - I was given a right-hand strung ukulele and purchased a left-hand strung ukulele ...and now learning right-handed with right-hand strung ukulele LOL!! ...because YOU WERE RIGHT ...go with what you are most comfortable with 🤩🤩🤩

[@GotAUkulele]

Great job!

[@marieandersson5730]

Thanks for a good video ❤ I'm not left handed, but for some time I have considered learn to play the left way. The reason is simple: If I for some perculiar reason not woyld been able to play the right way, an accident at work or whatever, I can continue to exersice my favourite hobby.

[@gospelaccordingtojohn8959]

This is great tutorial. As a long time left handed guitar player, I choose to just play the ukulele upside down. I’m able to read any chord charts without redrawing them. My brain has learned to compensate over the years. Another reason I didn’t restring the ukulele, is my friends and son are all right handed and when they visit we both can play it.

[@Chris-vt1pl]

I used to play the guitar upside down, and was sceptical to flip the strings in order to play naturally. But it helped me a lot to play like a regular right handed player. But, you cannot pick up a strangers guitar, and people can't play with yours. But generally I would recommend to flip the strings.. It helps

[@darwinia8]

As a longtime lefty guitar player and, recently, ukulele enthusiast 1) I wholeheartedly support your fundamental point here. What I'd emphasize is to be honest about what feels right. I was pressured, as many lefties are, to play right-handed guitar. I'm happy I resisted. Do what feels comfortable and natural to you. 2) And perhaps just as important: Don't fret (pardon the pun!) about the availability of instruments. Most ukuleles can simply be reversed with a modicum of setup/effort. This has always been a major concern among lefty guitarists, but even with that instrument I'd say that there are plenty of options along the price spectrum, and companies like G&L and Kiesel/Carvin treat us southpaws equally. #southpawtoo !!! Try out both lefty and righty position, stick with what's comfortable, and get playing! Thank you, sir, for your honest and thoughtful content.

[@GotAUkulele]

No problem - and thanks for input. The 'telling people what is best' thing really does get me down!

[@TheShift_OfEnergy]

i am both handed, I can eat with left, throw basketball ball using left, but I write it right, however playing with left feels more relaxed naturally, and I have more strength and more control using right hand which is good for pressing on the notes, well just practice using different fingers and find your own unique and comfy technique, as long as you keep playing every things fine :)

[@portergieske]

Baz- as a lefty, I wanted to say, thank you for letting me be me, and play my uke my way. Your point about chording with dominant hands is a bit off, because, if that were true, then the right handed majority of people would be playing guitars and ukulele's with their right hands making chords on the neck, which just is not prevalent. By suggesting the right hand positioning of the uke for left handed players, and calling it normal, is the same thing as me handing you my left handed guitar and saying- play this the way I play it, left handed. Its not normal, nor comfortable, for you. So, to each their own in the end. Find what works and enjoy it.

[@GotAUkulele]

Re the chording hand - not my view - just something that has been said to me by more than one lefty. Not saying there is merit in it - though, if they dig it- that's cool!

[@alexcarter8807]

I'm left handed and I play uke right-handed. The reason why? My left hand is "smarter" and stronger, so it's natural for me to have that hand do the chords, and the right hand do the strumming etc. My right hand isn't as "smart" but it's faster, so this is a no-brainer.

[@GotAUkulele]

Ultimately - that's it - what works for you personally.

[@CoYoTdeLiMa]

Thanks Baz. I am a lefty beginner (about 6 months now). I tried the 3 options (deliberately forgetting to look for lefty-ukes because where I live, it would have been impossible). I tried to strum with my right hand and doing so, I got close to lose my mind. I flipped the uke and flipped the strings. No deal with intonation issues because I play very very cheap ukes so I am used to "approximacy". Nice for the chords, nice for the strumming patterns... but I was isolating myself from sharing my instrument with other people (like my right-handed son) and playing others´ ukes. I consider the ukulele as a instrument to be shared with people. Easy to travel with, easy to play basic tune within a few minutes. So making the effort to rethink the chords, rethink the "DUDU UDUDU thing" and rethink the PIMA thing (finger picking, campanella, which for me is the most demanding effort) allows me to keep sharing my uke with everyone. And this is the reason why I keep playing flipped uke/unflipped strings. Thanks again, Master BazMaz, for doing those beginner videos. ☀

[@CoYoTdeLiMa]

(sorry for my bad english)

[@GotAUkulele]

My pleasure Michaël!

[@LyndseyMacPherson]

Great video. Glad you brought up the dominant hand doing the chords issue. I'm right-handed, but when I was first learning guitar, I had this immediate reaction that it would've been so much easier had I been able to play 'left-handed' so that my right hand was mashing the chords.

[@GotAUkulele]

Glad it was helpful!

[@shazlynshrestha1268]

Nice

[@kurooooooo2761]

Hello my fellow left handiesss!!!

[@digital_oasis_media]

I usually don't comment on videos at all, but ive gotta say, you did a great job. Very informative, educational and kind 😁

[@GotAUkulele]

My pleasure!

[@FenrirInFlowers]

As a lefty who plays righty, I fully agree that players should experiment around to find what works for them. Some things I can do right handed, like use a mouse. Others, like using scissors, have to be done with my left. If asked to play air guitar, my natural response is to play left handed even now. However, when I started playing around with my uke, I found no discernable difference in how difficult it was to play either way. While strumming with either hand, I would make mistakes after a little while-no matter which hand was strumming. Even with having more fine motor control in my left, both felt quite awkward trying to learn these new movements and tasks. So, I went with learning right handed because it just annoyed me to no end to not be able to pick up any uke in a store or to miss out on features I would be paying for such as side fret markers, which really should be on both sides imo. For the first few months I worried the choice would set me back from other folks who had started learning when I did, especially while struggling to learn how to sing and strum at the same time. Singing while playing DDU UDU was the biggest hurdle for me. What I discovered was that I just needed to slow down my movements more initially than I had been in order to create these new muscle memories. I also added in some warm ups for strumming and picking, instead of just warming up my fretting hand. Been playing for a year now, and I am perfectly comfortable and happy with the way I chose. It didn't limit or hold me back at all.

[@GotAUkulele]

Thanks for sharing!

[@theleft-handedviolinist1074]

I'm a lefty and whenever I play air guitar I always strum with my left hand. This is how I knew I would always have to play my instrument backwards and I am okay with that. I prefer it actually. I am about to teach myself the ukulele and this is video was really nice to see. It encourages people to do what works best for them. I was trying to explain to my guitarist son that he is right-handed and can play his instrument the right way up comfortably, making it enjoyable and natural but when I play with my left hand on the frets and right hand strumming it feels backwards and my non-dominant hand does not strum even remotely smooth. I have to think more I guess when playing the "right" way.

[@GotAUkulele]

Yep - whatever works best is the right way!

[@SarahButNot]

Thank you so much! I think this is going to help me and what i mean by I think was that I just a ukulele for Christmas and I'm a little confused about it. I hope that this will help me in the future but sadly, I feel for comfortable with playing with my left hand so its going to be very hard for me to teach myself. I understand way more now. Thank you!

[@GotAUkulele]

Good luck!!

[@SarahButNot]

@@GotAUkulele Thank you and I will need it! I can't really tell if my ukulele is left handed or right handed though...is there a way to know?

[@GotAUkulele]

@@SarahButNot 99% if not more will arrive strung for right handed. Unless there is something on the packing or in the name to indicate left handed it will be set up for right handed

[@joephillips4082]

Excellent advice, use the style that works for you. But I see I'm not the only lefty to give a testimonial, so here goes. I am a natural left-hander and I made this decision over 50 year ago when I first faced the guitar. I play righty because my left hand dexterity and strength makes it a no brainer. But, I should add, when I picked up the guitar, I didn't know how to play. Any of the options you recommended would have been equally difficult. I was equally inept with any technique, and I think learning righty was no harder than learning lefty, strings reversed or not. Why? because I didn't know anything. Oh, yeah, another lefty playing righty, omitted from your list: popularizer of the seven string guitar, and harmony genius, George Van Eps. I look forward to more of these tips.

[@GotAUkulele]

THanks!

[@simonkoo455]

i'm left handed, i try play like right handed way but i feel that hard to strum and hold ukulele, i try another way is more comfort, just thinking to switch the string or just strum another way. good advice from u there

[@vroomvroom4952]

Ty for this

[@GotAUkulele]

My pleasure

[@FidoHouse]

I had a luthier do the flip and switch for me - and found a book of leftie chords. Now looking for song books.

[@gato7908]

Do you have any detail on how you would go about making adjustments to the nut and saddle when reversing the strings? Is that a relatively minor operation?

[@GotAUkulele]

Depends on the uke. On very cheap ukes often the saddle is straight topped and the nut slots are all the same size - so just swap them. If you have a compensated top saddle and or, differing size nut slots - much bigger job. Quickest way is to get a new nut and saddle cut for left handed. Doing it yourself is a very fiddly job

[@cazhowe737]

Good advise because everyone is different. 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@GotAUkulele]

Indeed!

[@rosco1pug]

Tks for the post Barry. I absolutely commend all the righties learning to fret with their non-dominant hand. Won't say I found it 'easy' at the start but feel that I had an advantage as a leftie, and glad that I bit the bullet. But then learning to pick with the non-dominant hand is still a challenge. Gary Moore a leftie you say!

[@GotAUkulele]

Yep - horses for courses!

[@lumi7610]

I’m surprised playing it upside down is an actual way of playing it. I performed it a few years ago in a class performance and I thought I stand out too much and weird. I feel good about being standing out tho, it’s just that I didn’t know it’s a real way to play it, thanks.

[@nickstabz8755]

Do i have to invert my strumming pattern if it goes DD UU, do I have to change it up make it UU DD for me?

[@GotAUkulele]

You'd only need to adapt the pattern if you strung a uke in reverse

[@nickstabz8755]

@@GotAUkulele I dint switch the string and I'm using my left for strumming the strings, so do i have to invert the strumming pattern? If it says its DDDU do i have to make mine UUUD? Thanks

[@GotAUkulele]

@@nickstabz8755 If you just flipped the uke and not the strings - then I would say yes - as the notes are now in reverse

[@nickstabz8755]

@@GotAUkulele I have to switch the string so I can strum the ukulele same as the pattern for right handed? Do you think following the right hand strum pattern as a left hand and not inverting it is wrong and sounds odd? Do i have to invert the pattern? (Currently borrowing my sis uku but I might get another one and ill switch the strings so thats its less hassle)

[@GotAUkulele]

A standard uke for right handed players, when strummed has the G string closest to the ceiling and the A string closest to the floor. Left handers have a couple of options - either flip the uke and leave the strings as they were (meaning the G is now closest to the floor and the A to the ceiling) or reverse the strings. If you do the first of those options, i'd suggest the strum will need reversing. If you do the second, you won't. But honestly, don't get up on strum patterns anyway - trust your own ears!!

[@dadmindmatters]

Really great video thanks for your content. I play a left handed and did the first option changed the strings round. I strum just with my thumb as to strum I have seen advised sound a bit off with my nail? Am I missing something. I have struggled with mental illness for years and found that learning the uke and uploading daft songs on my youtube channel really really helps.Thanks again James

[@GotAUkulele]

Thanks James - strumming with the thumb is fine and I know many who do that. I suppose when you add in other fingers it opens up new sounds, but nothing stopping just playing with the thumb.

[@dadmindmatters]

@@GotAUkulele wow thank you so much for your help and I am really pleased to have found your channel.If you ever want me to create you a silly ukulele song about your channel it would be my pleasure.Thanks again and have a great weekend.James

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

I do my best to teach young left handlers to play ukulele right handed. Older players, I encourage them to have a uke set up left handed if they prefer that. I’m mostly right handed, but do some things left handed, lots of people do. Dealers like Mims Ukes will setup a uke left handed for you!

[@alanguages]

I am right handed and it felt natural to play that way too, but I am going to learn left handed. My left pinky was amputated, so I can't make the chords, that need that finger pushing on any string.

[@GotAUkulele]

Only way to judge it - what works for YOU

[@alanguages]

@@GotAUkulele Majority of instructional are for people not missing any fingers, so I am just going to use the left hand, but like mirror image of the right. I am aware there have been people, that against all the odds who are missing even the right index finger and still are able to play with their right hand. I actually even saw a video of a guy with no arms playing a guitar. Really inspirational, and effectively no excuses.

[@PeterFoley-n1r]

Agree 100%

[@spectralrobot5682]

thx

[@nigeldavey1043]

Oh so true. As a southpaw who played both drums and some guitar as a young man I tried the left-handed flip both ways and it did my head in trying to flip the chord charts etc. So I tried playing right-handed. It was a struggle at first but then I guess it is for most righthanders. I played drums set up in the normal way too. At the end of the day I reasoned that you had to have both hand and finger independence so what the hey. Never gonna be a James Hill or a Shimabukuru but I get amusement out of my Ukes. All I would say is try R/H first because sooner or later you'll want to do more than just strum and that's gonna be taxing whichever hand is doing whatever, if you see what I mean. 🤔 🙂

[@GotAUkulele]

Because I'm NOT a southpaw - but have a channel watched by a lot of people - experiences from left handed players is really helpful. And sure enough - the comments here and on other channels are varied. I hope new players read the comments as much as the video as it's clear there are different options and they should trust their own testing. Thanks Nigel!

[@nigeldavey1043]

@@GotAUkulele I suppose I should have added that playing either way ( left or right ) I'm still pretty crap 🤣. I do nevertheless thoroughly enjoy it and having been in lockdown for well over three months can credit it with helping to keep me sane 🤪

[@sohampande2238]

Sir can we also make a baritone left handed

[@GotAUkulele]

Yes, of course.

[@mattpeacock5208]

Here's a riddle. I'm about to pick up the ukelele, I'm right handed, but I'm missing a finger on the left handed. Should I go left handed???

[@GotAUkulele]

Hard to say - but certainly missing a finger will hinder chord formation in regular way. Saying that - there are plenty of guitarists with missing fingers who adapt!

[@nnicotinne]

Im new in playing ukeleles and im confused whether i play it right or left handed, i play it like this: my left hand is for strumming and right hand for the chords so do i play it right or left handed?? im sooooo confused

[@GotAUkulele]

If you strum naturally with your left hand, you are playing left handed. Right handed uke players strum with the right hand and fret with the left.

[@nnicotinne]

ohhh okay thank you for this! it really helps

[@Greg-vd5om]

Some say that I have 2 left feet........Thank God, I am right handed....:)

[@GotAUkulele]

Ha ha!

[@suziofftheplanet977]

I think Alex from Southern ukulele plays the uke upside down without restringing. The uke - not him

[@GotAUkulele]

Indeed! I think he might re-string his own models and when performing, but yes, otherwise he can do both I think.

[@mikevandebunt811]

I'm left handed and started playing the guitar when I was 9. This was in 1964 and left handed instruments weren't really an option. Playing right handed was never a problem for me, but that's probably just me. My advice to fellow lefties is to try right handed playing first. It might work for you, and that aviods all the other problems. (Remember, you've been dealing with scissors being backwards all your life... and I won't even mention handwriting.)

[@khloejones-pede402]

I'm right handed but left handed feels more natural

[@GotAUkulele]

And THAT is what matters - doing what feels best for you. Not what other people tell you.

[@demid9342]

i already bought a ukelele and im left handed aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa am i gonna have problems pls i didnt know i had to buy a different one just for being a lefty ugh

[@GotAUkulele]

Well you don't necessarily have to - some lefties play righty. And even if you need to play lefty - most ukes can be swapped over.

[@demid9342]

@@GotAUkulele thank u for replying! ill probably just get used to it with my right hand since ive never played another string instrument before i dont think it will be too hard

[@noahbuchan9311]

Sub to this guy

[@GotAUkulele]

Thanks!

[@Uncle_Steve71]

Aklot sells them

[@GotAUkulele]

They may well do - but Aklot also employ dodgy marketing techniques.

[@johnelliveps8002]

I am 64 left handed,and I would to play the Ukulele if it had only one string.

[@steve1000]

The left or right question is pretty silly, really. Beginners can't play either way. Each hand has to learn what to do from scratch. Lefties, living in a right-handed world, tend to be more ambidextrous anyway. There are way fewer obstacles learning the standard way on any instrument. (I must have a left-handed piano! Or clarinet or violin or... Hahaha.) And progress won't be slowed at all.

[@GotAUkulele]

Hmmm. Though many extremely successful left handed musicians would disagree with you.

[@steve1000]

@@GotAUkulele What's there to disagree with? I'm sure they could have succeeded either way.

[@GotAUkulele]

@@steve1000 But they didn't. Some left handed players simply find trying to conform more difficult and less natural than not. The message from the video is 'do what feels best'.

[@ameedust]

I am right handed and as soon as I touched the ukulele it just felt natural for me to hold it the "left-handed" way. Could I have forced myself into the opposite? Probably, but it felt wrong.

[@wintergirl8]

Spoken like every right-hand dominant person who has ever tried to railroad me into playing right-handed. If it truly made no difference, then a right-handed person should likewise be able to pick up a left-handed uke and have no issues.