Violins

[Toneisok]

Are violins handed? I am right handed and tried to learn to play the violin, without success, my friend wants to try and learn but is left handed, can my violin be strung to make it left handed?

[saxy_jag]

Yes it can, but it's not just a matter of re-stringing. If it's anything like guitar, there will be subtle changes needed to the bridge too.

I suggest you take the instrument along to a specialist and get them to do the job or at least advise you, especially if it's worth more than a few quid.

[wildwood]

There is also the matter of the chinrest.
It appears that they even make quality left handed violins , judging be the price!

[HillyHugger]

You could do a Jimi Hendrix - he was left handed but played a right handed guitar upside down .

Mind you he was a genius

[rojash]

As well as the bridge, the nut would also need to be replaced, so that the grooves are the correct width for the strings.

[heathfield]

Learning to play a stringed instrument is a totally new experience. Whether you are left or right handed, the degree of difficulty is very nearly the same. So why not have him learn to play right handed? It's what my left handed brother did when he started to learn the guitar. He's very glad he did, since it means he can pick up and play any normally strung guitar.

[magicmerlin]

It does not sound very easy to play a violin 'upside down'.