left hand? right hand?

[pianojam]

hi   
i was wondering if every note played on the bass clef had to be played with the left hand, and the other way around.  sometimes it has a "L.H" or "R.H" to tell you otherwise, but if it doesn't have that is it ok to do it? is it up to the performer to do what is easiest for them, or should the melody and the accompaniment be kept separate?
some pieces have two parts going on at the same time one with the stems down and the other with the stems up. if this is in the left hand does this mean i should play the part with the stems going up with the right?

Thanks!!  

[nolan]

In cases where you are unsure of what hand to use, use your best judgment. Most of the time the top staff is played by the right hand and the bottom staff is played by the left hand. (I specify top/bottom staff because both staves could be written in bass or treble clef).

Sometimes both hands play off of one staff and there are no rests written on the opposite staff. In this case, stem direction usually indicates RH and LH.

Stem direction can give hints as to voicing, so don't always rely on it for which hand. For example, fugues are usually written with each voice in a certain direction. You could have 2 parts in one hand and another 2 parts in the other hand. So don't always rely on stem direction.

When you aren't sure how to play something, try it different ways and see what way is the most comfortable to play.

[counterpoint]

When you aren't sure how to play something, try it different ways and see what way is the most comfortable to play.

That's exactly, what I think about it too. 

But there are some parts in pieces, where the composer wants the hands to play crosswise as a special artistic effect. In these cases you are expected to do so, even if it's uncomfortable.

[pianojam]

thanks

maybe now ill find some of my pieces a little easier 

[kriskicksass]

thanks

maybe now ill find some of my pieces a little easier 

I hate to be negative, but don't count on it. I went through a phase where I thought I could simplify things by switching hands, and it never really worked. Generally, composers seem to know what they're doing when they write which staff stuff should be played on. Still, it never hurts to experiment.