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Guitar - General/Questions Answered by Expert Joe O'Neill
| Subject | Date Asked |
| how? | 2/3/2010 |
| Q: how do you get an acustic guitar to be able to take an amp cord? A: Well, if the guitar is a straight acoustic, there are really only two ways that I'm familiar with. ... | |
| Guitar Stands | 10/8/2009 |
| Q: My name is Will Hart.I am in the Engineering Design and Development class at Glencoe High School in ... A: Will - It's about time someone addressed this problem....and indeed it's always been a problem. Just ... | |
| Left hand guitar | 10/5/2009 |
| Q: I'm a 54 yr old lefty thinking about learning how to play. I've looked online and noticed there's ... A: Kevin - You're correct. Left handed acoustics can be somewhat expensive. If you are a newbie player, ... | |
| bass guitar selection... | 9/29/2009 |
| Q: I'm a student, and I'm involved in a local community band. The bass I have been using (the school's) ... A: Sorry for delay in getting back to you, but there must have been a glitch. I never received the ... | |
| guitars | 9/23/2008 |
| Q: My Daughter 13yrs wants an acoustic/electric guitar. She has played in school a little. What is a ... A: While I surely knowthat money does not grow on trees, be careful in buying the first guitar! The ... | |
| 3 fingered righty of upside down lefty? | 8/4/2008 |
| Q: I am completely a newbie, and want to learn chords to be able to hack out some contemp christian ... A: Barry - No doubt. Play upside down right-handed guitar. Strum with the left and make chords with ... | |
| Upside - Down Righty | 7/12/2008 |
| Q: Hey Joe! (where have I heard that before--LOL) ---- Anyway, I am a right handed player, and I'm ... A: Jim - Sorry for my delay in getting right back to you, but I have been out of town. Wow! You just ... | |
| My old acoustic guitar... | 4/18/2008 |
| Q: Hey, Joe, it's Devin again. Well, I've been practicing alot and I happened to be back in my hometown ... A: Devin - I'm probably not the guy to ask about guitar repairs, as this type of thing scares me a ... | |
| upside down and backward guitar | 4/14/2008 |
| Q: I've played upside down and backward my whole life..37 plus years. I can do things a normal guitar ... A: Not too many of us out there. I have found that "normal" guitar players have a very difficult time ... | |
| Relearning... | 2/6/2008 |
| Q: Wow. An upside down guitar veteran. I am humbled... I've been playing off and on for about 6 years ... A: Devin - First of all, the "G" chord is very easy to play and remember, as all you are doing is ... | |
| Left-hand or right | 1/30/2008 |
| Q: I read your response re:the young girl who is left-handed. My situation is a bit different. I would ... A: You mentioned that it is your "right pinkie", which means if you are playing right handed guitar, ... | |
| guitar buzzing | 1/11/2008 |
| Q: i just bought a ibanez rg series strat guitar and previously i owned a squier strat guitar.. on both ... A: Sounds as though an adjustment needs to be made on the bridge. Quite often on electric guitars this ... | |
| Guitar for severely handicapped kids | 12/19/2007 |
| Q: Any suggestions or direction that you can point me in as to resources? Thanks A: Many years ago a young boy from Mexico played a guitar for the Pope....with his feet! And upon ... | |
| Beginning Guitar Lessons, Left or Right | 9/24/2007 |
| Q: I am starting at age 50. My left hand was sevevely injured resulting in hand surgery to repair the ... A: If your left hand is the "weakest", it would be wise to play left handed, as your stronger hand ... | |
| restringing a lefty electric | 8/29/2007 |
| Q: I've been playing right-handed acoustic guitars upside-down for a few years now, and would like to ... A: Lizzy - Your music is very good! I'm an old man at 52, but I enjoy this sound. I would recommend ... | |
| restringing a lefty electric | 8/25/2007 |
| Q: I've been playing right-handed acoustic guitars upside-down for a few years now, and would like to ... A: Lizzy - I know exactly what you're talking about. And yes, it is possible to purchase a left handed ... | |
| practice | 7/24/2007 |
| Q: although i do know a few. Am really into the red hot chili peppers and i have been for a long time. ... A: Ryan - So much for the guitar teacher. Here's what happened when I first started. I had a cheap ... | |
| practice | 7/15/2007 |
| Q: although i do know a few. Am really into the red hot chili peppers and i have been for a long time. ... A: Ryan - Dude! You need some direction. Generally there are two choices. Find a friend who you can ... | |
| lefty playing righty | 5/11/2007 |
| Q: i was wondering if i could get a right handed acoustic and flip it over and restring it left ... A: If you re-string and flip over, there are no problems with bridge chords. They would all be an exact ... | |
| Right-handed but using lefty guitar | 5/7/2007 |
| Q: my sister has a guitar for leftys which I'm learning how to play. But, I am right handed. At first, ... A: John - You are thinking the same way I did 40 years ago when my mother and father bought one guitar ... | |
| learning | 3/30/2007 |
| Q: I am interested in learning electric guitar. I would like to know where I should begin. Should I buy ... A: Well, I'll give my opinion for what it's worth. If you are left handed, I would advise you to simply ... | |
| Lefty upside down guitar player here | 3/29/2007 |
| Q: I had to put my 2 cents in....as a 57 year old lefty upside down player, I was thrilled to read your ... A: I'll be sure to check out Don Jones. After all these years, it's really cool to know I'm not alone. ... | |
| Martin accoustic value or worth | 3/29/2007 |
| Q: Serial #671481 Accoustic guitar at auction. It appears in great shape. Just wondering the ... A: Terry - This is outside of my expertise, although I am a huge Martin fan. I just have a much less ... | |
| question on playing | 3/21/2007 |
| Q: how do you play the guitar with only one hand on the fret board but ur other hand not picking. i ... A: Brad - This may be a little out of my leauge, but I do this quite often on my electric guitar. The ... | |
| Left handed player | 1/31/2007 |
| Q: Joe, I was reading through some of the questions on this site, and ran across your reply to "Left ... A: Terry - Wow! What a treat! I am also 51 years old and I knew there had to be another one out there. ... | |
| tone knobs | 1/14/2007 |
| Q: I bought a Fender Lite Ash Stratocaster "$700" (my first electric guitar) I've played acoustic for 1 ... A: Roshan - I'm not sure I can help you, unless I was in front of your equipment. Sounds to me that you ... | |
| left hand guitar playing | 1/12/2007 |
| Q: I am 44 yrs old and played guitar in 7th&8th grade but basically quit when it was time to start ... A: Jim - I would like to begin by mentioning the fact that Phil Keaggy is one of my favorite guitar ... | |
| Best way to learn notes for lefties.. | 1/3/2007 |
| Q: My 9year old son recently got a left handed electric guitar for Christmas. After visiting the Guitar ... A: Mrs. Rivera First of all, I'm glad you have in interest in your son's challange. That's the best ... | |
| left hand guitar playing | 1/1/2007 |
| Q: I have a 6 year old starting guitar. She is left handed and automatically pick up the guitar to ... A: It's amazing! I joined guitar experts several years ago to discuss this topic specifically and you ... | |
| help guitar | 12/25/2006 |
| Q: REALLY NEED HELP......I have seen a godin soldiac for regular $800,on sale for $500 at Long And ... A: My choice is the Les Paul, as it's been a proven standard for many years, as is the Fender Strat. ... | |
| what guitar should i get | 12/20/2006 |
| Q: I'm a beginner guitarist and i want an electric I'm pretty experienced and I've been playing for a ... A: I believe a Fender Strat or Telecaster would be my first choice or a Gibson SG as second choice. A ... | |
| left handed | 10/17/2006 |
| Q: my son is 16 and wants to learn to play a electric guitar, my question is he is left handed what is ... A: Well, let's start by suggesting that he attains a guitar that is your normal "right hand" design. ... | |
| Guitar or Amp? | 4/25/2006 |
| Q: Currently, I have a guitar and an amp which are both sub-par. I am looking to upgrade, and I had a ... A: David - It's a no-brainer....buy a good guitar first, then upgrade the amp later. Don't buy either ... | |
| Concerning My Fingers | 4/21/2006 |
| Q: I just started playing the guitar and my fingers really hurt because of the acoustic strings. ... A: Justin - It happens to every guitar player, but the good news is each finger will develop a callus ... | |
| playing left with an upsidedown righy guitar | 2/27/2006 |
| Q: I can't afford a lefty guitar (out of the question). It's been 4 months since I've been playing a ... A: Axel - I feel your pain! But don't worry, it will come. You need to acept the fact that upside down ... | |
| Guitar jack - earphone pluggable? | 10/14/2005 |
| Q: I don't know much about (electric) guitars, but is it possible to simply plug earphones (with the ... A: Karen - I did answer this question some time ago, but I don't think you received my answer. I would ... | |
| Acoustic | 12/23/2004 |
| Q: I currently have a left handed squier strat which is fine but i am also interested in playing ... A: Jenna - Take the acoustic, restring it and enjoy. I see that this makes no difference whatsoever. ... | |
| strum | 12/5/2004 |
| Q: Could u please tell me the strumming pattern for the song 'Wish you were here'by Pink Floyd. But ... A: John - That ain't the way man....up..down..up..down..down. I play upside down and backwards, so what ... | |
| First Guiitar | 11/26/2004 |
| Q: I'm a 16 year old who is very interested in playing guitar, but i have no experience with them. I ... A: Raheel - First of all, sorry for delay in responding, but I was out of town doing the Thanksgiving ... | |
| Left handed guitar | 3/12/2004 |
| Q: I have an old acoustic guitar, and I'm a lefty. I was thinking of starting to take it up again ... A: Bill - You don't sound like a kid anymore, so just pick that guitar up and pound those strings with ... | |
Guitar - General
Answers by Expert:
Joe O'Neill
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Upside down left handed guitar playing
Experience
I have played an upside down guitar for the past 30 years. Although it is somewhat unique, there are many distinct limitations as one becomes more serious musician. Many bad habits (partial chording) are picked up because many finger positions (alternate chords included) are totally impossible. Picking stings requires the "pinkie" to carry the bass line. I took classcial lessons for 12 months or so and it just became a physical impossibility to duplicate the "proper positioning". I am able to play several difficult pieces, but I do have to "cheat" to complete them. My advice to all new guitar players (less than 3 years experience) would be to restring the instrument properly. The reward will be there down the road. We probably would never have heard of Hendrix had he chosen to play upside down and backwards.
Education/Credentials
I am a self-taught guitar player with no formal training.
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