Are there any of you who can play with ambidexterity?
Over the past year (following an accident) I have become more & more ambidextrous.
The other night I switched hand positions on my Low D whistle. After about an hour of playing I was automatically placing my right above the left. Its kinda cool because I used to think it impossible.
I may not master it completely. Although I am, by necessity, more 'even-handed' ~ if I may coin a phrase.
At one of the first local sessions I ever went to, there was a young fellow playing a viola (conventionally, right-handed) and about half way through the session he switched over and started playing it left-handed. Astounding
A Pontefract local specialises in playing instruments upside down - including anglo concertina and accordion 120 bass (even though the buttons slopes the wrong way), guitary things etc.
Sign of a mis-spent youth?
It's the tetrachord, the same three fingers up or down, so shouldn't pose any real problem...other than perceptions or left and rightism...
Now take up some of the ways of Hendrix and play it behind your back, you might have to use a bit of hose, and with your mouth. Ah hell, you already to that. Where else? Hmmmmm...
This is not the 1st time I have tried switching hand positions.
In the past it always seemed awkward & I saw no reason to continue. This time it was odd (at first) & I had the classic 'death grip' of a beginner. I simply relaxed, slowed down my playing & it began to feel natural. I was playing a slip jig. By the time I got to the end of the 1st time through I was astounded.
Somehow my brain switched over & it did not seem strange. It has not effected my ability to play in the conventional position.
geoff ~ upside down accordion seems like a bit of a novelty act. Probably not good on the wrists. Most pennywhistles can be played with ambidexterity.
Thanks ceolachan that is so much better.
When I was typing the title I was thinking, 'what a mouthful!' Which leads to your 2nd comment. No thanks. I already have my foot in my mouth far too often.
Cheers!
I play whistle left handed (and would hold a flute that way), and should play stringed instruments left handed, but am right handed on the drum. Any thing that needs two hands I do left handed, and if it requires one, I use my right.
Recently myself and the other piper have been entertaining ourselves by switching hands on flute (me) and whistle (him) when tunes we're sick of come up. For him, usually it's the Earl's Chair, and for me, Concertina Reel. Also Lark in the Morning etc... you know, tunes like that.
I always have a flute (a Slovakian pistalka, actually, nice and low tone) sitting by my computer at home, for when I go on TheSession and hunt tunes.. and of course seeing this topic, I had to try switching hands!
conclusion: I'm NOT ambidextrous in the least!! I have to think really hard about what fingers to move, because the patterns of the tunes are so ingrained in my fingers. Muscle memory just takes over, so I kept playing the same fingerings as usual, only that my hands were in the "wrong" spot. Very frustrating. I might keep trying though, just for giggles.
We have a viola/whistle player at our session, and he plays right hand on top... but I think that's just because he taught himself. It drives me nuts to watch his hands when he's playing though, I can't handle it if I'm trying to learn a new tune, I have to look somewhere else.
ingridrt ~ until recently it was the same for me.
I would automatically raise the index finger on my left hand while playing a 'd' note. It doesn't work with the left hand on bottom. All I can say is the harder I tried ~ the harder it was. Somehow just relaxing is the only way it works.
Cheers!
Ambidexterity
Ambidexterity
Are there any of you who can play with ambidexterity?
Over the past year (following an accident) I have become more & more ambidextrous.
The other night I switched hand positions on my Low D whistle. After about an hour of playing I was automatically placing my right above the left. Its kinda cool because I used to think it impossible.
I may not master it completely. Although I am, by necessity, more 'even-handed' ~ if I may coin a phrase.
# Posted on October 27th 2007 by Ben Steen
Re: Ambidexterity
At one of the first local sessions I ever went to, there was a young fellow playing a viola (conventionally, right-handed) and about half way through the session he switched over and started playing it left-handed. Astounding
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by reedy grins
Re: Ambidexterity
A Pontefract local specialises in playing instruments upside down - including anglo concertina and accordion 120 bass (even though the buttons slopes the wrong way), guitary things etc.
Sign of a mis-spent youth?
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by geoffwright
Re: Ambidexterity
It's the tetrachord, the same three fingers up or down, so shouldn't pose any real problem...other than perceptions or left and rightism...
Now take up some of the ways of Hendrix and play it behind your back, you might have to use a bit of hose, and with your mouth. Ah hell, you already to that. Where else? Hmmmmm...
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by ceolachan
to do to do to do to do ~
What about with your toes?
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Ambidexterity
This is not the 1st time I have tried switching hand positions.
In the past it always seemed awkward & I saw no reason to continue. This time it was odd (at first) & I had the classic 'death grip' of a beginner. I simply relaxed, slowed down my playing & it began to feel natural. I was playing a slip jig. By the time I got to the end of the 1st time through I was astounded.
Somehow my brain switched over & it did not seem strange. It has not effected my ability to play in the conventional position.
geoff ~ upside down accordion seems like a bit of a novelty act. Probably not good on the wrists. Most pennywhistles can be played with ambidexterity.
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by Ben Steen
Re: Ambidexterity
Thanks ceolachan that is so much better.
When I was typing the title I was thinking, 'what a mouthful!' Which leads to your 2nd comment. No thanks. I already have my foot in my mouth far too often.
Cheers!
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by Ben Steen
Perceptions of left and rightism...
The title was supposed to be different.
thanks ceolachan for ~
perceptions or (sic) left and rightism...
damned internet!
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by Ben Steen
Re: Ambidexterity
"What about with your toes?"
It's already been done!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSnUwA6c67k
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by Ptarmigan
Re: Ambidexterity
I'd give my right arm to be ambidexterus.
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by Pete Stephenson.
Re: Ambidexterity
I play whistle left handed (and would hold a flute that way), and should play stringed instruments left handed, but am right handed on the drum. Any thing that needs two hands I do left handed, and if it requires one, I use my right.
OK, I am odd.
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: Ambidexterity
A slip jig ~ perfect...treble...
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Ambidexterity
Ptarm, I meant a whistle or a flute. Playing a guitar with your toes is a 'walk in the park'...
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Ambidexterity
Recently myself and the other piper have been entertaining ourselves by switching hands on flute (me) and whistle (him) when tunes we're sick of come up. For him, usually it's the Earl's Chair, and for me, Concertina Reel. Also Lark in the Morning etc... you know, tunes like that.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by seisflutes
Re: Ambidexterity
Have you reversed hands on tunes you enjoy?
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by Ben Steen
Re: Ambidexterity
I always have a flute (a Slovakian pistalka, actually, nice and low tone) sitting by my computer at home, for when I go on TheSession and hunt tunes.. and of course seeing this topic, I had to try switching hands!
conclusion: I'm NOT ambidextrous in the least!! I have to think really hard about what fingers to move, because the patterns of the tunes are so ingrained in my fingers. Muscle memory just takes over, so I kept playing the same fingerings as usual, only that my hands were in the "wrong" spot. Very frustrating. I might keep trying though, just for giggles.
We have a viola/whistle player at our session, and he plays right hand on top... but I think that's just because he taught himself. It drives me nuts to watch his hands when he's playing though, I can't handle it if I'm trying to learn a new tune, I have to look somewhere else.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by ingridrt
Re: Ambidexterity
ingridrt ~ until recently it was the same for me.
I would automatically raise the index finger on my left hand while playing a 'd' note. It doesn't work with the left hand on bottom. All I can say is the harder I tried ~ the harder it was. Somehow just relaxing is the only way it works.
Cheers!
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by Ben Steen