Practical Penmanship: Left Hand Cursive

[@DieyenDualPen]

If you're left handed, please share your approach to handwriting and let me know if whether or not the suggested approach in this video works better for you.

[@Grahamplaysgo]

Hi, I’m left handed. I have recently started to hand write again after finding a fountain pen - an Elysee which my mother gave me as a present sometime in the 1980’s. It still works beautifully. As far as posture and holding the pen I have found that sitting at an angle to the desk with my forearm parallel to the front edge of the desk is the most comfortable. The paper is best at an acute angle to my forearm of about 30 degrees. This let’s me write from slightly under and left of the text. I also like a lot of space on my desk. No good for nearby right handers. When I was at school we had sloping desks and many old writing desks were sloping too. Nowadays desks are flat. I would like to know if a sloping surface is better than a flat surface when using a fountain pen.

[@TheDude13]

Wow. This was a really fascinating video for this left-hander. I really like the your idea of turning the paper sideways and basically writing down. It does make my brain hurt - I think I'll have to totally retrain my brain to make it work. I think it would work even better (more ergonomically anyway) to turn the paper even farther, and basically write upside down.) My current method, used for the last 50 years, has been to angle the paper to the left - just like a right-handed person would. But then I write with my palm above the line I'm currently writing on - not below it. This puts my palm several lines above the working line - long enough for the ink to be thoroughly dry. Not so good for pencils, of course - that still gets on the palm.

[@DieyenDualPen]

@@TheDude13 Hello, thank you for sharing some feedback and your own technique. I find that one of the most important things to writing upside down, or sideways, or in mirror image, is to attain a very clear visualization of the letter in your mind first. If you can clearly visualize the flow of the letter in your head and determine an ideal form, it becomes much easier to manipulate the orientation of the letter in relation to your eyes. I hope you find this helpful. Best wishes, Diego.

[@DieyenDualPen]

@@Grahamplaysgo Hello, thank you for sharing your technique! Fountain pens are such a joy and I'm happy to hear you've been inspired to hand write more often because of one. I have heard that the angled desk top was most popular when students were using dip pens because it aided in some way to the flow of the ink off of the nib. I've also seen some other very proficient calligraphers talk about their preference for a sloped desk top. I personally have not had the privileged of working on one so I can't give any personal testimony. All the best, Diego.

[@TLPtransformlives]

Hi, thank you for this video. My quick story is that I was born left-handed and was shamed for being left-handed, made to think something was wrong with me, I wasn't normal, because no one else had been born left-handed in our family. There was also said that something was spiritually wrong with me because, I would sense things on a more "sensitive" level than I think the "comfort-level" of my father would allow. The saying "being on the right hand of God"🙄 Was said a lot maybe indicating I wasn't on God's good side as a lefty lol? I digress. Anyway My dad would always force me to be right handed and chastised my penmanship, as his was impeccable, like calligraphy. To The point where I would be physically disciplined each time I was caught writing with my left hand. So unintentionally I became ambidextrous until about fourth or fifth grade. I was always smart in school and gravitated toward numbers and the Arts in my younger years, but being fed up with feeling like something was wrong with me and wanting to please my dad and show him I was "normal". I went fully right hand at about 10 years old. Not to get too psychologically deep, But what you're saying is very true as far as what utilizing both hands does to the brain. At about that age and switching dominant hands, I began getting massive headaches all the time and it felt like part of my brain became disconnected to a lot of things I once enjoyed. Even the sensitivity I would feel from others began to deaden. I just couldn't get a true sense of self anymore. (Of course there was a lot more emotional traumatic instances that occurred that were backed by "good intentions" from my parents) To the point where now I'm in my mid 30s and have never feeling authentic. I've always sought pleasing others, attracting other imposter- types into my life. After a recent experimental hypnotherapy session, i emerged realizing that, that major physical and psychological change in my life was the catalyst to never feeling good enough, confused about who I was and the mask I've been wearing up until now. I've decided to go back to writing left handed. Certain things I never went right on, I still have a natural southpaw about boxing stance, when I started playing softball in high school my legs wanted to stand as if the bat was in my left hand but my upper half of my body wanted to hold the bed in the right hand LOL very confusing for me to get a grasp At batting! .I found out at 16 when I begin playing billiards that I was playing billiards as a lefty. So instead of being misaligned like this I am deciding to embrace my natural left-handedness. I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos as my pen when ship is pretty much the same as it was when I was in the fourth grade.

[@stephaniem8278]

This video made me realize that public schools, and public facilities in general, really underserve left-handed individuals. The teachers showing us penmanship were right-handed and teaching right-handed methods. The desks we sat in, right-handed. The binder of the paper is on the left, so again, we are at a loss. I remember getting tons of criticism for the way I wrote, and eventually I developed a very tense way of writing to try and force legibility with all these odds. The angling thing never worked for me. I had to keep my paper upright. I wrap my thumb over my first two fingers, and rest it on my ring finger to create a sort of hook. Forward motion is created by releasing my thumb, backward pressure through squeezing my ring and pinky fingers against the base of the thumb (palm), upward pressure by extending my ring finger, and downward by flexing the middle finger. When I write words of more than five letters, I have to pick up the pencil and move it over manually, so it usually has a break. I got used to doing this generally at the syllable break. I get weird looks from the older generations when I write. I get hand cramps, too. I don't recommend it. I would like to see school-aged children who are left-handed be grouped in a class together, with a teacher who understands and can help them find a comfortable method for writing.

[@DieyenDualPen]

It is a shame that we haven't valued handwriting the same way older cultures do. I think we could do much more to maintain a cultural appreciation for the history of American penmanship in school and better serve left and right handed students.

[@abdullahal-maktoomi7487]

I wonder why in your school left handed getting criticized ?!! it is the way round when I was at school we used to admired the student using left hand we thought that they are different because they are genus

[@Moonlightthroughdarkness]

💗

[@hrnekbezucha]

Hi there. I'm a lefty who recently relearned to write because I wanted to use fountain pens again. In school I developed the "hook" hand-cramping pose and only wrote in print so the teachers could read it. Now, fifteen years later I write under the line and enjoy writing but still only in print. It's time for me to learn cursive and the tilting the page 90° really helps big time. I can actually use the regular drill practices and it feels nice and natural. I didn't even know it's possible for me to write cursive. Much less that it could be just as pleasant as it's supposed to be. This helped me a whole lot. You are absolutely right with cursive being more difficult as you need to think while sustaining the motion on one uninterrupted line. The tone of your voice and how relaxed and calm you are is also very pleasant. Thank you :)

[@DieyenDualPen]

Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment. I'm so very happy that you've found this video helpful. All the best on your handwriting journey :)

[@EmilyJenkins-s4b]

It's crazy because I am 24 years old & I am a left-hander. I love writing , always have but as I've gotten older I have realized I don't write and I can't explain why but it's almost unnatural or something. When you explain how penmanship is important for us in several different areas I feel like maybe I finally found an answer. Thank you. 😊😊

[@GabrielCosta-ew5vm]

this video made me realize why I have terrible handwriting as a 26 year old lefty. I never practiced all that much because of it being unconfortable and having no significant improvements over time. I always wrote from above the line. Never had any guidance on it beyond "just practice more" since 1 grade. I might finally write consistently.

[@DieyenDualPen]

Best of luck! hope it helps!

[@EmilyJenkins-s4b]

It's crazy because I am 24 years old & I am a left-hander. I love writing , always have but as I've gotten older I have realized I don't write and I can't explain why but it's almost unnatural or something. When you explain how penmanship is important for us in several different areas I feel like maybe I finally found an answer. Thank you. 4:25 😊😊😊😊😊

[@MirindaMontilla]

I used to write in my left hand when I was young, but my parents switch me to right. So, when I "first" tried to write again in left hand it wasn't that bad but I've been learning cursive and I'm having a hard time with left hand. I just tried the practices and it surprisingly works for me. I hope I master this.

[@robertpage4991]

You’re a very clever young man. As a left-handed ‘hooker’, I had all the problems of fatigue you mentioned. Wish your technique had been taught sixty years ago.

[@DieyenDualPen]

Thanks! Yes, I think everyone should've been taught how to write with both hands from the beginning. It's not too late to change your approach to writing.

[@staceycoates1418]

I am a leftie. More accurately I am an underhand leftie. Left-handers are taught (for both print and cursive) to have our papers at a 45 degree angle to the right so that our left arm naturally lies up the paper. I have never met another person who writes downward before. I do. It actually evolved when I was probably in highschool. I did not have enough room to have my text book open and my paper at the proper angle. And a leftie using one of those fold out desk pieces for a rightie... That miniature desk didn't have enough room for a right-handed person let alone me! I find that I actually have little to no slant when I write downwards. Lefites then to naturally have a forward slant to their writing, and I do if I am regurgitating words, but if I am taking my time I don't have to have a slant. You mentioned that you thought it took more effort to write in cursive than to print. I disagree. In cursive one word is basically one motion. Spacing is really only used between words. Where in print you have to watch your space not only between words but between letters. And I have found that, especially for certain letter combinations, I will often switch to cursive in the middle of printing because the letters flow into each other. For example, in my first name cey is almost always written in cursive even if I am printing my name. I have to think and put more effort to separate those letters.

[@DieyenDualPen]

From what I understand you're handwriting style is the same as I demonstrate here. The other left hand video (palmer one) demonstrates a different style of writing. I show here how you can write underhand, as you do, using primarily finger and wrist movement. In left hand palmer one I am experimenting with whole arm writing for left handers. Both are underhand styles of writing, the origin of the movement is just different. It is awesome to hear a natural left hand writer also finds this their most practical way. When I say that cursive is more challenging, I mean that generally the movement is more complicated. There is definitely a flow like you mentioned and that is important part of its complication. There is a much greater variety in movement when you use cursive and I believe this tactile expression very important for the brain. Where in print you have more basic movements broken up between strokes. Thanks for sharing so much. You're the first leftie I've encountered who already writes how I show here.

[@bettywight9401]

I write with the paper lines perpendicular to my body.

[@Abby_Doodle]

Lol I do both. I sometimes write with my arm twisted and above my paper or below what I’m writing with my fingers scrunched weird. I switch between the writing angles when my wrist gets sore from the odd angles.

[@brengz7663]

Your voice is Very soothing and your time is consistent which allows the listener to remain interest. You remind me of Mr Rogers and that’s a compliment!

[@DieyenDualPen]

Hi Brenda, thank you very much for compliment.

[@TitianTopsyTurvy]

I am a leftie and over the years I have gradually moved the direction I write in. I now most often write how you were demonstrating, it's just more comfortable and less fatiguing to my hand. Incidentally I wasn't taught to write left handed at school. I was taught to move the pen the way right handers do and then admonished for smearing ink across the paper!

[@DieyenDualPen]

How interesting that your style of writing has continued to evolve. It's really a disservice in my opinion that we dont teach left handers how to best wield a pen.

[@denniswalker5349]

Brilliant. I must learn to write with the left hand now that my right no longer works. Thank you.

[@DieyenDualPen]

Best of luck! Patience is your greatest ally!

[@theunderestimate4006]

As a lefty , I m happy too see that u r following my style.bcs my friend troll me for this action....I too turn my pages perpendicular to my body....and just ride 45 ' vertically inward to my hand....happy too see.....😄🤝😃

[@DieyenDualPen]

Best way I have found to write left handed :)

[@heathergeary2724]

I have memories from when I was two years old that suggest I may have originally been left handed or ambidextrous. However, I spent most of my life living as a right hander. Once every several years I would write left handed. I could write legibly at times more so than my right, but my left hand was very shaky. I had some teachers over the years suggest I should write left handed. Two years ago I decided to work on improving my left handed writing.

[@DieyenDualPen]

Have you ever tried writing in mirror image with your left hand?

[@PiersRippey]

I’m a lefty and just started an italic calligraphy class. I have been trying the 90 degree method but this video actually convinced me to switch to my right hand for future classes!

[@DieyenDualPen]

Awe, there are some very successful left handed calligraphers but I do know at least one lefty who does all their penmanship right handed. I'm sure you'll have success either way. Best of luck.

[@PiersRippey]

@@DieyenDualPen your advocacy for the benefits of ambidextrous writing practice made me want to give it a try!

[@daniellerussomanno188]

I'm a lefty. I've always positioned both myself and my paper mirrored to how your righties do it. When you do so there is no need to "hook hand" when you are writing.

[@DieyenDualPen]

Hello, thanks so much for sharing your approach. I have another video where I explore left handed arm writing and I believe a form very similar to yours was ideal.

[@daniellerussomanno188]

I’ll have to check it out!

[@kevinu.k.7042]

Very brave doing a video as a right hander. I like your tone and the evident pleasure you get from writing. Nice! Some thoughts: The paper should be on the left if you are writing with your left hand. You had to twist your chair right around. The paper does not have to be twisted anything as much as you are doing. The exception is for top writer lefties. I am a lefty 'underwriter' my wrist is fairly straight and my hand is beneath the writing. Like many I had to convert to this way. It improved my writing with just a few days practice. Many lefties say this. That is far easier than learning to write vertically! I wonder if you are doing these 'contortions' in order to keep your right eye as the dominant eye for writing? If the paper were on the left it might be that you need to use your left eye more. Left handers usually go through years of struggle with writing. So do stay with it you will get there in the end ;)

[@lolamoro]

Oh how I love this video. It's so calming and informative, I miss this type of content, nowadays everything has to be so fast and punchy and sometimes I think that contributes to my anxiety! This is such a lovely video. Cannot show enough appreciation!

[@DieyenDualPen]

I'm so happy to hear it! I find myself similarly uncomfortable with modern media and prefer a slower pace. Your comment is so encouraging and perhaps I'll return to making videos soon. Thank you.

[@weatheronthe8s895]

I’m left handed and I basically never really learned cursive. I hated it the one year we were taught it in school and I still hate it now. I can only write in print. I’m just glad I never had to use it after 2nd grade. Any time I have to sign a document, I just basically fast print without lifting the pen off the page much.

[@DieyenDualPen]

I'm sorry to hear that. It is unfortunate that left handed students aren't taught differently how to write. The approach is truly unique compared to the right hand. I hope maybe one day you'll find cursive enjoyable. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@weatheronthe8s895]

@@DieyenDualPen I guess we will see. You're welcome.

[@ruthcardona8734]

You are awesome teacher, patient, gentle speaker, I work with children with autism and I would love to see people have your character in my field. I love your videos so informative and I am learning, thank you and God bless!!

[@DieyenDualPen]

That is such a high compliment, thank you.

[@noracardona2527]

Thank you so much for this video! I am a teacher and have a lefty student that is struggling to write cursive without slanting backward. I will try this technique with her. I am also excited to start my journey into becoming ambidextrous. I will be encouraging my husband to do so as well. He has a few different issues in his brain, so I am hoping this will help him to not keep regressing. Thank you for the heads up about the books you mentioned. I'll be on the lookout for those. I am now a new subscriber!

[@DieyenDualPen]

Hi there! I'm so excited that you'll be taking this to your classroom! Please feel free to share results with me if you have time via my website. The ambidextrous journey is a long one. Be patient and try your best to enjoy your struggle. :)

[@aabb-qy6fl]

Thank you so much for choosing to do this, I am still in school but learned how to write my self (left handed) I've never had any left handen teacher, let alone any teacher that could help me with my writing. I always felt dissappointed because of my handwriting, while everyone went onto learning cursive I still couldn't write the regular letters properly. I also had a teacher tell me to hold my Pen super close to the tip for almost a year, didn't help ofcourse so to have a teacher that understands that left-handed people need to write a bit differently is super good. Wish I had one, your left-handed student and future left-handed students will thank you!

[@DieyenDualPen]

Im glad you found the contents helpful! Thank you for such a nice comment

[@sarjuradia2886]

At last I found the best channel for the Palmer method. I am naturally left handed. Please continue to teach me more on Palmer cursive techniques. I have always positioned the paper in the same way you have demonstrated ever since I started writing. Is am going through all your videos. 🙏

[@DieyenDualPen]

Thank you so much! I'm doing a bit of travelling but will be back to making videos in the new year! Thank you again!

[@leftysfragrances8099]

Ï'm changing my handposition from overwriting with a hook, to underwriting. The progress in this you can follow on my channel. Keep up this channel and thanks for the tips.

[@DieyenDualPen]

That's awesome! I followed your channel! Thank you for the encouragement :)

[@av-ns2no]

I'm a right handed writer. I want to learn to write with my left hand. I practice the way you did in this video and it was so much easier! Thank you.

[@DieyenDualPen]

I'm very happy you've found the recommendation helpful! All the best on your ambidextrous journey!

[@HeavenReservation]

Thanks much, I'll be passing this on to my left handed family members.

[@DieyenDualPen]

My pleasure, glad it's of help!

[@pedianastacio2139]

I need lots of practice. I'm 60 and need to be mentally fit. Thank you 😊 The dominant hand is my right.

[@DieyenDualPen]

You got this

[@neelabhvats8229]

My writing depends on time example: Me-writing near and clean in cursive slowly Teacher-10 mins.left Me-fast mode on🤣🤣🤣

[@realitytc]

I stumbled upon your channel while trying to figure out how to navigate the world with both my arm and leg on my dominant side broken after an accident. I am slowly developing my left-hand/left-sided skills, and after eight weeks, I can cut my husband's hair, use the iron, and open things independently. I am working with a left-handed mouse, and I don't miss my right hand nearly as much. I've downloaded your book and look forward to pushing myself further with this practice.

[@DieyenDualPen]

I'm sorry to hear about your accident. I truly hope the book and content here can help you further develop your left handed skills. Best of luck and feel free to ask questions! I'm happy to help if I can. Best, Diego

[@ange7679]

This has just changed my whole life. Thank You

[@DieyenDualPen]

What an honor! Thank you! Best wishes.

[@capobvious3015]

I write a lot-due to paperwork related reasons for my job-and sort of adopted an under-handed method. I used to write straight up-and-down, but my palm would slide over the ink. Some seem to write with their hand over their writing, but I found that using a under-handed posture at a slight left-leaning angle (almost as you’ve shown in the beginning) really allows me to keep my writing style (which is lots of loops and sharp angles lol).

[@DieyenDualPen]

Superb! Thanks for sharing!

[@MicsLanguages]

My son is 7 years, left-handed and has difficulties learning how to write. This method is amazing. I've tried it on myself. I am right-handed and have an awful handwriting. Sometimes in the past I've tried writing with my left just for fun. It was even uglier. Now trying the method you are showing here, my left writing looks better than my right, without any practice. This is incredible!! I will commit to training myself to write well with both hands, a skill I've wanted to develop for a long time. And for my son it might be the solution to his problems. Let's see, I've just come across this information for the first time. Thanks a lot, your videos are very well presented, very pleasing to watch and listen to.

[@DieyenDualPen]

Your comment is truly an honor to receive. I hope this content helps your son in his handwriting development. I believe ambidextrous handwriting is something we can all benefit from learning. Best of luck!

[@naiyalexic]

I also found (before discovering this video) that the only way to write left-handed is to turn the page almost completely around. . . Thank you!

[@DieyenDualPen]

I've also found writing upside down left handed is fairly comfortable.

[@EmilyJenkins-s4b]

It's crazy because I am 24 years old & I am a left-hander. I love writing , always have but as I've gotten older I have realized I don't write and I can't explain why but it's almost unnatural or something. When you explain how penmanship is important for us in several different areas I feel like maybe I finally found an answer. Thank you.

[@firedrakegirl13]

Your writing device also has a lot to do with the quality of the writing. My handwriting changes drastically depending on what I’m using. And using pens that are quick drying like: pentel energel, inkjoy gel, and zebra sarasra pens all make it easier. They also come in a variety of widths. Trying to use a fine point pen as a lefty is, for the most part, difficult, if it’s not gel.

[@DieyenDualPen]

I would says it really depends. A techniques efficiency can be amplified by an appropriate pen and vice versa. I would say only grievance with pens has only ever been an inconsistent line. Gel pens for me are often a culprit because they do not give me the line consistency I want when I write. Today when I write for pleasure I almost always use a dip pen. At work I use a fountain or ball point.

[@joecerasuolo32]

I enjoyed your video. Helped me after stroke. Thank you

[@DieyenDualPen]

That's amazing! Best wishes for your recovery. Thank you for sharing

[@manishmandloi4638]

Thank you. I am also a left hander. Through several hit and trial adjustments, I developed the same technique of writing. Now, I am much more confident about this way of left hand penmanship. The only thing required is the training of our brain to see the letters at an angle of 90 degree. However, through practice one can develop this and improve the handwriting.

[@channelsixtynine069]

I'm an underwriter. That is, like I mentioned in a previous comment, use reverse slant and write under the writing line. The page is turned clockwise to the right so the top of the page is now heavily angled at around 45°. It led to less pain in my hand, lighter downward pressure and I wrote faster, which was the primary reason for changing. The other thing.... either a pencil or a fountain pen improves the formation of the font, because it provides resistance. A ballpoint or rollerball is too slippery and so your left hand loses control of it as you push the pen. I embrace smudging as part of my writing. It is a feature that shows the natural direction for a LH writer is from right to left, mirror writing.

[@tonycrayford3893]

I taught myself mirror script as a teen, it's fantastic writing away from my ink. My handwriting looks so much better mirrored.

[@DieyenDualPen]

@tonycrayford3893 same I think everyone should be able to write mirrored and and forward.

[@patrickmccormack4318]

I've just convinced myself to learn lefty-writing. Your technique for motion/position-vertically-down-the-page is an excellent technique. I can actually feel my brain working it out. Awesome feeling. Over the next two months, I'm forced to make significant life changes. By the end of August, I'll be back to update my progress. Many thanks. Take care. "Life is too short to not be cool." - Grandpa "Life is too long if too hot." - Grandson "Careful as we will, careful as we go." - Grandpa

[@nigelnightmare4160]

As a leftie I have always been able to both read and write 'mirror writing' also its easy for me to read text upside down which really annoys officials when you read what they have written about you and correct or question what they think they are doing. I find the my cursive handwriting either slopes to the left or to the right, I have to concentrate very hard to get it vertical and my hand gets tired quickly when doing so.

[@jentai7536]

Just to add another thought: I'm a natural lefty for writing and drawing, sewing and other fine-tuned activities; but a natural righty for sports and activities requiring long distance accuracy and strength. What does that say about brain pattern? I wonder if any others out there share this anomaly? My penmanship has worsened over the years; and even I cannot always reread what I write, so I will try your method and let you know the results.Thank you for sharing

[@DieyenDualPen]

Hi Jen, from what I've read, a majority of left handed individuals could more accurately be called mixed handed. Where they write/draw with the left hand but are right side dominant in sports. It is even less common for someone to be fully dominant towards the left hand. As for what it says about the brain. The two brain hemispheres are completely separate with the exception of the corpus callosum, a bundle of axons (wires) bridging the two hemispheres. Persons who are mixed handed have been seen to have a corpus callosum that is on average 10% larger than the average person. In theory this could of allowed for more communication between the hemispheres to take place during years of development, however, it is uncertain whether or not this correlation or causation. I hope that you experience some success in improving your handwriting. My left handed forward writing has evolved significantly since this video, perhaps my later videos may be of more assistance. All the best, Diego

[@jentai7536]

Thank you for your informative response, Diego. It's good to know that I'm not alone in the split hand dominance. I tried to write and draw with my right hand, but the results were not good. However, you've given me convincing reasons to try again.

[@aarushtalwar1564]

Hi I'm from India and after I started developing ambidextrous skills.. I tried searching for someone whose like me.. I am really happy to find you buddy..👍👍

[@DieyenDualPen]

That is awesome! What motivated you to become ambidextrous?

[@aarushtalwar1564]

@@DieyenDualPen Recovering from depression that I suffered due to hertbreak I focused on playing carrom and realized that even though my dominant side is right I can play better with left hand later on I googled about my tendencies of using both the hands equally I stumbled upon the word Ambidexterity and started practicing left hand writing Your approach is Good..

[@DieyenDualPen]

@@aarushtalwar1564 Oh that is very interesting. Did you find that developing ambidexterity elevated your mood and helped you overcome depression?

[@aarushtalwar1564]

@@DieyenDualPen It definitely took my focus away from Negative Feelings and Helped me focus more on my self improvement.

[@DieyenDualPen]

@@aarushtalwar1564 that's awesome I've also found that ambidextrous writing elevated my mood and lifted anxiety. Happy to know it helps others also

[@tishar8215]

I am left handed and i have been writting it like they way you suggested 👍

[@DieyenDualPen]

That's awesome

[@Lee0568]

I've just scrolled across your video,I am left handed,so is my wife, youngest daughter and granddaughter,NONE OF US write over hand with the paper angled to the right,We all have the paper at 90° to the left and write underhand

[@somenameforuser]

I'm born ambidextrous, but both me and my family never knew that I'm ambidextrous at a young age. As I grew up I thought that I was right handed and so learned to write right handed while missing potential with my left hand. Later in life, I realized that I'm ambidextrous but I thought that learning to write with my left hand would be too hard of a challenge and that I was better off only using my right hand for writing. Some years later, I practiced cursive and got myself into the world of calligraphy. I always pondered about training my left hand. You've now inspired me that ambidexterity is a skill and not a talent. Thank you.

[@DieyenDualPen]

That's awesome. Honor to inspire your ambidextrous journey. Best of luck!

[@envy2069]

Omg ur cursive is so pretty, im left handed and I can’t ever write in a straight line unless there’s lines and my letters always come out slanted 😭

[@SenorDelSol]

I have very big hands and I'm an sidewriter, slightly overwriter when the paper is tilted. Almost all fountain pen ink on absorbing paper will be dry before I touch it. That's partly because there's some 5-6 cm between my hand and the tip. I'm also right and left handed in most things, like cooking, racket sports and other things. However, writing I never attempt righthanded.

[@omarvanderloo7270]

one year ago I commented on this, but I just thought you can also write with your hand lower than the line your writing on, it gives your hand a more stretched position even though it will strain the hand after a while, so mostly what I experienced myself as a left-handed person, is that I switch methods every few minutes, but this is most of the time the reason why lefthanded people cant keep a consisted handwriting and why it changes

[@DieyenDualPen]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I also tried that technique as well and found it difficult.

[@hollyjollylollymolly3160]

I also developed my ambidextrous skills by trying different writing tendencies, the one you perform (writing below the line ) is terrible for me, I prefer to write by side or hooked above the line. I never really learned the tripod grip with neither of my hands , I use a quadripod grip ( 4 fingers to grab the pen, and I usually grab it less tight and farther from the tip with my left hand, while I do the opposite with my right hand ). When I write hooked or by side I don't see much differences while tilting the paper. When I write , I usually point the pen inclination in relation to the paper to my left side/ the back of the words and I use that as a little support, I do the opposite and point it to the right /front of words with my right hand. Since pulling is different from pushing, I don't pressure the pen against the paper with my left hand, I just let it softly slide, I do the opposite with my right hand. I also write the words simply by doing up and down moves with the pen , with both my hands .

[@DieyenDualPen]

Thanks for the sharing! I write most often in mirror image with the left hand so I learned mirroring the form on the right side. That showed me which habits I had built with the right hand that were uncomfortable or even painful to try to embrace with the left. Then finding the most comfortable position I retrained my right now learning from the left. Ambidexterity is a very interesting way to learn. You should check out my more recent video on left hand writing. I've been working on using muscular movement or whole arm movement writing forward with the left hand. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqKzpH6BitF1g9E

[@-...................-]

im ambi but i forgot how to write bcs of this quarantine and god i just want to say ur hand is handsome and also ur smile

[@DieyenDualPen]

Just practice it will come back!

[@enderliq1818]

I forgot how to right too 😭

[@Mazoonei]

thank you so much for helping me improve my leftie ! made me realize the motion on my wrist sucks - ambidextrous 15 y/o

[@DieyenDualPen]

Hello! That's awesome to hear. Glad I could help! Best of luck.

[@lucasjagger674]

You can teach yourself your both hands but you have to be born ambidextrous to be ambidextrous, ambidextrous means that you can easily do things with you both without praticing, if you taught your non dominant hand doesn't mean that you are ambidextrous because you teach yourself

[@DieyenDualPen]

That is incorrect. The term ambidextrous describes a persons ability to use both hands equally well at a given task or an item/tool that can used by either hand equally. There are few people naturally born ambidextrous, but anyone can train themselves to be ambidextrous. All the best, Diego.

[@lucasjagger674]

@@DieyenDualPen I kind agree because if you're able to do most of the things with both hands you're ambidextrous anyways good video

[@DieyenDualPen]

@@lucasjagger674 Although I've practiced for 6 years I'm still not completely ambidextrous because my right hand keeps getting better as my left hand tries to catch up. A 20 year head start is hard to match. Thanks for watching! The quality of this older video makes me cringe, but I'm glad you've enjoyed it. Happy Holidays!

[@lucasjagger674]

@@DieyenDualPen thank you, same for you

[@schrodingerscat1863]

While some of these methods are ok for a pencil or ballpoint pen you wouldn't be able to use them with a fountain pen because the angle of the nib would be all wrong. Personally the only method I have ever found to work reliably is overwriting with the pen upside down. This even works for calligraphy with split nibs for copper plate like fonts.

[@tonycrayford3893]

At school I just owned my barely legible smudged irregular cursive scrawl.

[@DieyenDualPen]

You can do it with a fountain pen. Calligraphy for left-handed folks is often done in with strokes in reverse direction or upside down. All just takes practice.

[@DieyenDualPen]

@tonycrayford3893 haha

[@DanielWSonntag]

I switched to uniball gel pens to solve my smudging problem. However I still want to try some of your techniques anyway

[@DieyenDualPen]

Let me know what you think!

[@dannyphilips4771]

Thnkx very much bro ur video was very helpful and understandable excellent job

[@DieyenDualPen]

Thank you! Happy to be of help.

[@galejohnson8086]

I am a lefty. The problem is seeing the tip of your pencil. I turn my paper 90 degrees, just as you do. However, i write uphill without my wrist curled, yet holding my hand above what i am writing to keep from smearing. I distinctly remember teachers making me sit up straight with my paper upright. I would eventually bend my body like a pretzel to be able to see my pencil tip. I am 73, so times have changed for the good.

[@danbrown586]

Are those two degrees from CSUSB I see on the wall? That's my BA alma mater, class of '95. I'm left-handed, and my penmanship has always been poor. I print, barely legibly, and as little as possible (I type much faster than I write). But I've gotten interested in fountain pens, which means that my current techniques would leave the page a smeared mess, and the edge of my hand with almost as much ink as the page. So off to try to learn to write better--at least legibly, and if it looks nicer, so much the better.

[@TreboriRobertHZ]

Right-mode - right hemisphere: left-handed people Left-mode - left hemisphere: right-handed people Source: Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain - Betty Edwards (1979) A comparison of left-mode and right-mode characteristics . . . . . I have heard that ancient Vedic people/monks were all left-handed. Ancient scripts are right-to-left. Source: Rigveda - Book 1 - Hymn 100 He with his left hand checketh even the mighty, and with his right hand gathereth up the booty. Even with the humble he acquireth riches. May Indra, girt by Devas, be our assist. What have you heard?

[@DieyenDualPen]

This is the first I hear of this. Very interesting. Could you please email me source information?

[@TreboriRobertHZ]

@@DieyenDualPen Sent you an email.

[@elf6460]

Being a lefty, you want to turn the paper 30 to 45 degrees to the right! Then you write under the writing line, just as you would write right handed. Going from left to the right, just like a right handed individual. Now, the left handed death grip? Thats a whole other beast, because it depends on the individual. I've found that fountain pens, felt tipped pens and gel pens work best. Ball point? Heck no! The ball doesn't get coated with the ink, correctly when you use a ballpoint left-handed. Its like the ball point pen gods hated left handed people and didn't take them into consideration when they made the design of the pen. Here is a video to help you out better :D kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJqXdIWtaKl6Y9U The only thing I don't agree with is when the video talks about fountain pens, because there is no such thing! Ask the man himself, Richard Binder!

[@DieyenDualPen]

Somehow I missed this, thanks for sharing! I can't remember what I said about fountain pens x.x

[@galejohnson8086]

I remember in calligraphy class, we used an upright easil which couldn’t be angled. I am a lefty, and they tried to teach me to write without touching the paper with my hand. Never did work. No left handed nibs either

[@spyam23]

I'm a leftie, I naturally write in a fairly nice cursive by tilting 45degrees to the right. When I want to write in print, I tilt it 90 degrees to the left. I can mirror write upright and write upside-down, and I love upside-down mirror writing, these I can do in cursive, still a bit rough though because I haven't practiced in a decade. I have very little control of my right hand, I tried.

[@DieyenDualPen]

Very nice. It all just takes some patience and practice :)

[@benderbendingrofriguez3300]

have you watched a video made by the Amazing Mr. Mash regarding this subject?

[@DieyenDualPen]

No I haven't

[@NWong]

really wish we learned this and weren't left behind so much in school as a 30 year old lefty. i have a question however - is 90 degrees better or 45 degrees as your other video on the palmer method for left handers suggests the latter?

[@DieyenDualPen]

Really depends on the type of hand movement you are most comfortable with. I'm using wrist finger movement at 90 degrees, arm movement at 45 degrees. Try both. Best of luck. I hope the videos help.

[@pedianastacio2139]

I'm from Zuni ,NM. I'm a Pueblo women and my language is Zuni.

[@svenva]

I am a natural overwriter, leftie of course. I hook and write with my fingers, but i want to change to 45-90 deg clockwise turning of paper and underwriting. also, I'd love to be able to use full arm motion, as I get hand aches quickly now. I am still struggling to find my way. in this video, you dont use whole arm movement all the time. is there a reason for this? or did i just see it wrong? thanks for all your content man!

[@DieyenDualPen]

You're right, in this video I'm not using whole arm movement. This was an exploration of underwriting for left handed writing. I have another video where I focus solely on arm writing with the left hand. But to be honest, I haven't focused on that topic since. I feel it's just not practical for left handers to write that way. I personally think we should all write with both hands. Left hand writes backwards and right hand forward. The movement is natural that way, and you get the accelerated skill development that comes with ambidextrous practice.

[@svenva]

@@DieyenDualPen so should I quit trying to make lefthanded underwriting, whole arm style my main way of writing? it is really hard for me to figure out what the best (most ergonomic+nicest script potential) way of writing is for me personally. how do i figure out what my main focus should be?

[@DieyenDualPen]

This is a discussion that can't be fully fleshed out in comments but here are some things to consider. 1. Your hand probably aches because your movement in writing is dependent on small tendons (eg fine finger movement) for small movements. Arm writing relies on bigger muscles for small movement thus no pain. How can you move from away from finger movement and use wrist, elbow and arm movement. Most practical writing uses a combination of all, not just one. 2. Identifying "incorrect" movement and retraining writing takes months, so patient and diligent. 3. I retrained my grip and movement mainly by noticing what was comfortable for my left hand. My left hand was a clean slate, everything that was detrimental to my writing experience with the right hand was not practical for learning on the left. If you start writing mirror image with your opposite hand you can begin the process of learning to write from scratch. You can experiment and develop an optimal writing style without the habitual baggage of the dominant hand. As you progress on that journey start applying what your learning to the dominant hand. Hopefully that is helpful to consider.

[@svenva]

@@DieyenDualPenYou're great! many thanks :D imma go ahead and write with right rn !

[@Stripper-Magician]

Nice helpful video

[@heathergeary2724]

I am able to write with both hands as well. I have found though when I write with left it is easier for me to write over the line. When I write under the line, I have to constantly pick up my hand. Also the letters are straight up and down. When I write straight up and down cursive, my handwriting is terrible regardless of which hand I use.

[@DieyenDualPen]

That's very interesting! Did you train your opposite hand or just naturally can write with both?

[@Charlotte00125]

“If you have kids, for whatever reason” 😂 But seriously thank you for these videos, I am left handed and so are my 2 sons. I have a hook grip which I am blaming on learning to write cursive with a fountain pen as a kid. It’s a hard habit to break for sure, consistency and dedication are key.

[@DieyenDualPen]

I couldn't agree more. Changing writing habits can be very challenging to change but certainly possible. Best of luck!

[@nugget4889]

Before watching this i used to write using all my fingers my pinky and ring finger index at the top thumb and middle at the sides

[@nugget4889]

Pinky and ring finger at the bottom

[@DieyenDualPen]

That's an interesting grip.

[@TheGabygael]

I actually hold my pen a similar way right handers do, it probably a bit higher than a rightie would ( i hold a similar way you do when writing from bottom but i go left to right instead of top down) but rightong mirror feels terrifying to me. I naturally have a slant and the smudge doesn't bother me on graphite and my ink dries fast enough and i'm remote enough from the page that ink isn't an issue My lettering is pretty but highly uneven

[@sally-annebrown1298]

Im a full rightie, but lately my right hand handwriting has gotten very sloppy. Dont know if its because i have PTSD, but i do use my left hand as well. I am practising daily. So easy......

[@DieyenDualPen]

With time your hands will become steadier.

[@decisive_tiger436]

I'm naturally ambidextrous. I taught myself how to read before I started kindergarten but I had never written anything until around that time when the teachers started making us copy down things and such. While I have a lot more confidence in my left hand in things like batting in baseball or writing I do all sorts of tasks with both hands without really thinking about it like brushing my teeth, playing the guitar, sweeping the floor etc.. Coloring was something I always found easy to do with both hands but writing wasn't something I found as easy for some reason, I guess because of the increase in demand for dexterity. That fell away when I started getting punished in grade 2 or 3. One of the ways they would "discipline" us is by making us fill sheets with lines of some sentence they wanted us to write like maybe "I have done ___ that was bad because of ____ if I do it again ____ will happen, I'm very very sorry for doing ____ and promise to never do it again." Sometimes they would say to write it down 100 times but since we were children they would accept us simply filling the front and back side of the page of standard notebook paper with lines that read something like that or maybe writing down the 10 commandments like 5 times each with some twisted classroom augmentation like "Thou shalt not.....get up from your desk to sharpen your pencil without raising your hand and asking for permission." stupid nonsense like that. Maybe vocabulary words and definitions that we were studying at the time, often 10-20 per weeks written out 10-15 times each. Anyway, when that started happening when I was in like grade 2 or 3, I began using my right hand to write incessantly because I knew I could cut my time writing that nonsense in half by getting out two sheets of paper and writing everything in unison line for line. If you want to improve maybe you could try doing the same as me. Like, maybe get two sheets of paper out with two pens and use both hands to write the same thing with the same font at the same time simultaneously. It doesn't necessarily need to be fancy cursive penmanship, just your natural handwriting. Hope this helps.

[@bitsywillmott6881]

Please left handers...we can simply need to turn the paper...no need to write awkwardly and strain the wrist. My penmanship is called beautiful and all I do is write. Be yourself - that's all there is!

[@DieyenDualPen]

Wise words, thank you Bitsy!

[@bitsywillmott6881]

@@DieyenDualPen I appreciate your prompt reply...happy day your way!

[@DieyenDualPen]

@@bitsywillmott6881 thanks so much Bitsy, have a wonderful day!

[@stacyshoemaker9177]

If the goal is to be ambidextrous wouldn’t it also help to teach kids to write with their right hand? Thanks for the tips

[@DieyenDualPen]

I agree, I think it'd be best to learn with both hands from the beginning.

[@grimattic]

In school, i always did my work sideways. People would question me about it sometimes.

[@DieyenDualPen]

It just works!

[@ivyninan653]

My child is writing by the left- hand but hook position.ln, this position his handwriting is good. However, his teacher recently complained that he is very slow in writing. So I try to charge his hand 45- degree paper position, then his handwriting gone to worsen and he is struggling to write that position. Now I don't know what to do. MY DOUBT is that does it take a long time to adapt new position?

[@DieyenDualPen]

The retraining of the dominant writing hand can be very difficult and slow. Once dominant neurological pathways have been established, it takes considerable conscious effort to change modes of operation. This can be quite the undertaking for a young person. What I find frustrating is the teachers lack of understanding. The fact that your child can slow down to write neatly is wonderful, especially in this day and age of instant gratification. There is absolutely nothing wrong with writing slowly. Regardless of this, I have two videos on writing left handed where I show two different writing styles. This video, where you write vertically down the page, is the easier and less complicated of the two techniques. I hope my response has been helpful. All the best, Diego

[@ivyninan653]

@@DieyenDualPen thank you

[@kellyfranca7355]

Help me, im also a leftie. Cant hold the pen with no pain.

[@DieyenDualPen]

I'll talk about grip in my next video. In general, you want to make sure to have a relaxed grip. avoid squeezing the pen/pencil, and don't buckle any of your fingers.

[@kellyfranca7355]

Dieyen DualPen Thanks! Already anxious for the next video.

[@architvirkud1331]

I'm ambidextrous too. The main problem while writing cursive with left hand is that I cannot move my hand as swiftly as my right hand to right side. I write running cursive with my right hand. I cannot write print handwriting.

[@binmyrtmind]

My problem being left handed is writing straight lines and calligraphy is near impossible. Have any ideas? I am otherwise ambidextrous using my right hand since I am right eye dominant. Would appreciate any answer you may give me!

[@DieyenDualPen]

What style of calligraphy are you pursuing? Straight line in which direction, horizontal? Vertical? Opposite eye dominance doesn't automatically result in ambidexterity. If you're truly ambidextrous I would pursue calligraphy right handed as that will be easier.

[@twiddowson]

I am a natural right-hander as well and have been teaching myself to write left-handed. Don't you find it hard to read while you write at that severe angle?

[@DieyenDualPen]

Hi there, no I can't say that I do. I have more of a challenge keeping my slant consistent. I have a fairly strong image of the letters form in my head from writing in mirror image and upside down so sideways isn't too much trouble. My suggestion would be to spend some time seeing letters in your head. Imagine writing them and moving through their form. This visualization often improves my writing between long bouts of no practice. Best of luck!

[@sunitabhuriya17]

Can you make a video for two-handed writers too?🖤

[@DieyenDualPen]

You mean writing with both hands at the same time? I have several videos for right and left handed writing.

[@sunitabhuriya17]

@@DieyenDualPen yeah, I can write but I can't write in a good handwriting🖤

[@815scorpius7]

I've noticed that a lot of right handers want to practice writing with left hand but I've never seen a video where a left hander practices writing with right hand.

[@DieyenDualPen]

I have a left handed friend who does beautiful calligraphy with his right hand. So, they're out there

[@Stripper-Magician]

Dude!!! or we can práctice with the page pointing downward and writing the letters hanging from the lines..... it would like writing in the Left Handed Writing position (From right to left. [in the mirror looks ''normal'']), but when you point the page upwards it will look like regular Right Handed Writing. No Smudges.

[@Stripper-Magician]

Hard to put in words.😅

[@DieyenDualPen]

Yeah, I've done a lot of upside down writing too, but the angle is not so friendly to the movement of the wrist. A lot of left calligraphers write upside down, though. So, it definitely works for some styles of writing.

[@AyushSundriyal]

can you write fast with your lefty!!!

[@DieyenDualPen]

Fast, sure. But it wouldn't look very nice. Writing with my left hand is more about slowing down and I enjoy it that way :)

[@silentxshadow7679]

If u are left hander then like👇

[@heathergeary2724]

I tried mirror writing a couple of times but I didn’t really like it.

[@DieyenDualPen]

Oh I see. I've found that with the left hand mirror writing seems to come easier, pulling across the page.

[@seandegracia626]

I miss you too buddy

[@ModdingwithMods]

This happens to me but with my right hand

[@omarvanderloo7270]

Your approach is great, but I can see that you're right-handed on the way you write with your left hand, the with left-handed people is that we move the wrist more instead of letting our hand move across the paper, we create letters in a slightly different way than right-handed people, as this is also my struggle when I try to write with my right hand. Overall, your writing is great, only left-handed people would notice that you're right-handed.

[@DieyenDualPen]

Very observant! Thank you.

[@XenMu]

Wow

[@memeoid1]

Overwriting question: is it considered a bad habit, or a hardwired preference? Had no luck answering this question on the internet, seeing as lefties are twice-uncommon in this type of circle.

[@DieyenDualPen]

It's an interesting question and I can't say that I can say I have the "correct" answer, but from my own experience, I would say no. Not hardwired. I think what happens when we are young, we aren't taught how to write, we are taught what letter look like. So, we have to figure out for ourselves how to "draw" these letters. We aren't thinking about form or the best way of writing. I wouldn't even say overwriting is a bad habit. When you begin to develop a skill and maintain it for years, decades, a life time, the neural pathways that carry the signals for this action are extremely well developed. I wouldn't say you're hardwired from the get go, but the longer you do something in a certain way, the more that way becomes "hard wired." Breaking habits that are incredibly solidified are hard to break because of how "hard wired" these habits have become. It's not impossible though, I have changed some very hardwired habits through regular conscious practice in a new way to the point where this new way is the "hardwired" way. So, if you want to change the way you write it is possible. Hope this helps.

[@bashkillszombies]

Dude looks like a thirty year old trying to audition for the role of an eight year old boy in a 1980's TV show.

[@DieyenDualPen]

That's pretty funny 🤣

[@carolyncarr6423]

Hand writing is getting to be the way of the past

[@DieyenDualPen]

History has a way of repeating.

[@kingkaz2162]

Just hearing about how you are teaching classes in prison for pensmanship is inspiring! Thank you for uploading and sharing!

[@DieyenDualPen]

My pleasure! Honor to be an inspiration

[@Imanixo2]

All my letters go to the left. 😂 no smudges

[@skyguy1988]

am i the only one that DOESNT angle my paper that much or at all when i write? O.o that's just odd to me

[@DieyenDualPen]

I'm sure you're not the only one. I've just found it more comfortable to write with angled piece of paper

[@AdvenYT]

I'm left handed and struggling so much. I'm already on 9th grade but my handwriting looks like for kindergarten

[@DieyenDualPen]

Intentional practice can get you there! Don't give up. Best of luck

[@stahlstahlstahl2325]

As a left handed, cursive writer, we are dying 😥💀

[@DieyenDualPen]

No!

[@ataerabbi]

wow🥰 you are cool man. i already write by right hand but i want to learn by left hand. is it possible ???

[@DieyenDualPen]

It's never too late to start! You can do it

[@ataerabbi]

tnx bro for your support🥰

[@DieyenDualPen]

@@ataerabbi you got it

[@jackiethelighter9447]

Try it and receive the uniqueness of a left hand. Iam a lefty but I use both hands.

[@Saucyakld]

Wow, you write like me hahaha!

[@DieyenDualPen]

:D

[@copyright5538]

I’m left handed and it annoyes me ;-;

[@DieyenDualPen]

Sorry to hear that