"Sally Johnson" and "Ragtime Annie" left handed fiddle by Ryan Thomson

Ryan's web site - http://www.captainfiddle.com Ryan formerly played these tunes right handed, and relearned them to play left handed. He plays them here backed up by the Crawdad Wranglers band at a concert in Stratham, New Hampshire. He teaches them both right and left handed to students. Visit his web site for information on his performances, instructional videos, books, and recordings.

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[4stringjoe]

Its equally easy to teach both right or left handed playing students whether a teacher plays right or left handed. I've done it for years. When given a choice when first starting, right and left handed persons alike usually choose to bow with their dominant hand. I personally play other instruments right handed - banjo, guitar, mandolin, accordion, etc but after I acquired a disability called "focal dystonia," I now find it easier to play violin left handed. I've posted a video about my switch.

[wulfdogcat]

Yeah does for me too, but I just get the feeling watching you that you'd be more comfortable playing right handed. Kudos to you for being able to switch.  Did you do it out of physical necessity, or did you switch to better help with teaching left handed students? I have friends who have learned to play right handed when they were born left handed. They are great fiddlers. I've never know of anyone before to switch. I find it really interesting, and very cool. Love it.

[4stringjoe]

Actually, it feels good to play my violin!

Ryan

[wulfdogcat]

That looks painful somehow.