handedness

[tds]

 

[concerto_love]

SOmewhaat...?? 

[rc]

Somewhat is like my friend who used to always talk about how ambidexterous he was, until we noticed how much farther he could throw with his right hand

I'm very right handed.  Reading CPE Bach's essay, he mentioned how being a lefty is helpful in piano "because clarity is won principally through uniform pressure".  I guess that's because most rightys have to work to get their LH under control

[tds]

i was born a leftie, but was forced to be a rightie (a common story, i guess ). till only some years ago i discovered that i could do alot of things with my left hand. in fact, i could do certain works better with my left hand: works that require more sensitivity, artistry, or simply finer motoric movement, like conducting cantabile/beautiful phrase, or using my mobile phone, eating dessert, picking nose, making hand gestures, et al. in those instances i feel much more natural and relax using left hand.

some activities can be done fine with either hands such as using mouse, holding books, adjusting glasses, waving etc. sensation and result are similar

now, i will use my RH tho to do something that requires strength and/or tight concentration, coz i think it's better trained. also for writing, i'll definitely use my right hand. i was never allowed to use my left hand, tho i naturally pick pens with left hand, but was forced to use my right instead ( mom told me ). left hand was totally out of practice in this regard. till a few years ago i try to use my left hand for writing. first, control was difficult to acquire and it did took sometimes to somehow get the hang of it. but then i continued writing with my right hand and never bothered retaking left hand writing lesson since.

so yes, rc, for throwing a ball, my RH would win, no question! for carressing girls' hand, left hand knows her stuff better

[pianochick93]

Right handed definitely.

[tanman]

hmmm.... right handed. but more than half my family is left.

[concerto_love]

hmm can do both too... it's nice to draw with different hands when u feel tired...

[thalbergmad]

I am reasonably ambi, but generally favour my left hand.

When i was 4, i broke my left arm, so i did learn to write right handed.

Thal

[Petter]

hmmm.... right handed. but more than half my family is left.

Did you murder the other half? He he he he he he he

[rc]

tds: Wow, you sure know your hands!  I'm pretty sure I favor my right hand in just about everything, but now I wonder...  Because I just picked my nose with my left hand and it felt pretty normal.

But I guess that's because the right hand was using the mouse.  Same with driving, I'll drive with my left hand, but that's only because my right hand is holding a coffee.  Left is the backup.

I think I've read before that righties and lefties think a little differently.  It's from the right/left brain theory.  The handedness tends to represent the brainedness...  Ever hear how they discovered the difference between the halves of the brain?  It was pretty interesting, they chopped the bit that connects the two halves in stroke victims, and then each half began acting independantly and the LH and RH began acting differently.

[G.W.K]

tds - you should make your answers very clear. Some people could take this thread differently when you mention how you use your left hand for a lot of creative activities.

 

I am right-handed, but I can use my left hand slightly so I am "Somewhat amidextrous"

G.W.K

[pianistimo]

right-handed.  now what?  does this change piano technique.  should right-handed pianists focus more on their left hand - or should you just not worry that one hand has it up on the other?  for instance, if one took an entire year and only played left-handed things.  would this be beneficial?

[concerto_love]

Oh, cmooon..... 

[tds]

for instance, if one took an entire year and only played left-handed things.  would this be beneficial?

maybe, but its better to begin using ur lh more for day to day activities. start with something small but do it consistently. build from there and it should eventually become more natural. me 1 cent.

[term]

right-handed.  now what?  does this change piano technique.  should right-handed pianists focus more on their left hand - or should you just not worry that one hand has it up on the other?  for instance, if one took an entire year and only played left-handed things.  would this be beneficial?

The opposite, i know. Although i didn't do it 1 year 
Yes, you should not worry about hand dominance. It's a natural, good thing.

[term]

start with something small but do it consistently. build from there and it should eventually become more natural. me 1 cent.

Better don't get started with *that* as a right hander. My 2 cents ^^

[tds]

Better don't get started with *that* as a right hander. My 2 cents ^^

why not? i thought it was one way to gain more control on ur weaker hand. what's ur suggestion?

[tds]

tds - you should make your answers very clear. Some people could take this thread differently when you mention how you use your left hand for a lot of creative activities.

 

let it be  .

AND have u taken it ur way? if so, may i know?

[term]

why not? i thought it was one way to gain more control on ur weaker hand. what's ur suggestion?

Well, don't forget many pianists have enough control without doing that. It's not necessary even if it was benefitial. But it isn't, based on my experience. I don't want to get started on the handedness topic, it's just my advice: Don't switch your hand for things you naturally do with your dominant hand, and don't unilaterally practice your non-dominant hand for too long and too extensive.

[G.W.K]

AND have u taken it ur way? if so, may i know?

Know what? 

G.W.K

[tds]

Well, don't forget many pianists have enough control without doing that.

i think many pianists don't. how many of them wish their non dominant hand had more power and control?

It's not necessary even if it was benefitial.

  i am not getting it, sorry

I don't want to get started on the handedness topic

dont worry buddy. i started it

it's just my advice: Don't switch your hand for things you naturally do with your dominant hand

switching for permanent conversion was never suggested here-we were just talking about praticing using non dominant hand for gaining more control and power.

and don't unilaterally practice your non-dominant hand for too long and too extensive.

how long is too long and how extensive is too extensive? can you please give your reasonings behind that statement?

[tds]

Know what? 

G.W.K

it

[term]

switching for permanent conversion

I was talking about switching, not about permanent conversion.

how long is too long and how extensive is too extensive? can you please give your reasonings behind that statement?

No. 
I'm just saying. Don't do it. If you do, do it. It's your business. :>
I know i sound maybe...secretive on the issue, but i won't make any claims until i can a) 100% verify them and b) get in contact or finally work for a research institute specialized in that matter.

[tds]

I was talking about switching, not about permanent conversion.
No. 
I'm just saying. Don't do it. If you do, do it. It's your business. :>
I know i sound maybe...secretive on the issue, but i won't make any claims until i can a) 100% verify them and b) get in contact or finally work for a research institute specialized in that matter.

i know it's my business, but i would like to share it with the forum. btw, what do you think we have a forum for, if not for exchanging ideas?

my personal experiment with handedness has so far given me good results: 1. i have better control and strength to my previously weaker hand. 2. i feel smarter in a way- i am sure i have generated both brain hemispheres by training the other hand. 3. i dont have to rely heavily on one hand all the time while i have in fact two hands.

now, i dont have a problem with anybody attacking me, but provide some sound argument please. the fact that you jumped in making a strong suggestion/remark without explanation or anything that forms solid arguments, even when asked, is a liltle off putting. on what basis shall we consider your words? tds

[G.W.K]

I meant using your hand for more sexual activities, like mas...I won't say.

G.W.K

[tds]

g.w.k, tsk tsk..

[G.W.K]

LOL. I'm saying nothing.

G.W.K

[term]

on what basis shall we consider your words? tds

None. In fact, forget it. 

The only thing i can say is that i did that "get control over the weaker hand" thing for some years now, and it sucked ass. I did left hand (mirror) writing out of boredom at school and after one week hat no problem doing it and did it a lot afterwards, since i considered it sort of fun. I have no problem to be technically better with my left on the piano either, to tell you the truth, my left is way better.
Interesting is, that suddenly you get a lot of people and websites talking about developing brain power and ambidexterity etc. What nonsense. There never has been, or will be, something in nature like a natural reflex that is bad; thus handedness is not a symptom of underdevelopment or underuse of the brain. Quite the opposite, it helps.
It's a big subject and again, i don't claim to be 100% right since i'm not even done with it. As soon as that's the case, i'm going to get in contact with a university to verify my findings and discuss them since my personal hobby has for long been to study human anatomy, biology and psychology.
I want it to be taken as a recommendation, not more not less.  :>

[tds]

None. In fact, forget it. 

hmm...ok.

but you kept going..

The only thing i can say is that i did that "get control over the weaker hand" thing for some years now, and it sucked ass.

would you care to tell us why and how "it sucked ass"? i, for one, would be most interested to know.

since i considered it sort of fun.

i wouldn't blame you

What nonsense. There never has been, or will be, something in nature like a natural reflex that is bad; thus handedness is not a symptom of underdevelopment or underuse of the brain. Quite the opposite, it helps.
It's a big subject and again, i don't claim to be 100% right since i'm not even done with it. As soon as that's the case, i'm going to get in contact with a university to verify my findings and discuss them since my personal hobby has for long been to study human anatomy, biology and psychology.
I want it to be taken as a recommendation, not more not less.  :>

well, what should we say to that?

[tds]

LOL. I'm saying nothing.

G.W.K

well... lil bitsy thang

[tanman]

I meant using your hand for more sexual activities, like mas...I won't say.

 

[tds]

but now I wonder...  Because I just picked my nose with my left hand and it felt pretty normal.

potential potential...u should consider going ambi. no?

[term]

but you kept going..

I was just telling you, since you asked.

[cai hong]

born left-handed.Now still writes with my left hand.But in playing piano,I can use my both hands well.

[concerto_love]

born left-handed.Now still writes with my left hand.But in playing piano,I can use my both hands well.

Why i dun recognize this one, cai dear... 

[squinchy]

I can write in mirror image on white boards using two hands. That's about it.

Handedness, handedness..of amino acids, of cross products, of enantiomers...

[concerto_love]

gyaboo...

[csharp_minor]

Its an intresting topic I think, I'm still not sure what handness I am although I would consider myself left handed. I use my left hand for writing and drawing but my right hand for using the mouse on the computer and I use right handed scissors. I used to always be offered the left handed scissors at school and that was rather annoying as I found it hard to use.

My right hand is a lot more controlled when playing the piano and I need to look at the left hand mostly while playing so it behaves while the right knows what to do. My left hand never feels as relaxed as I want it to be .

[go12_3]

 I write with my right hand.   And do most things with my right hand.  But at times the left hand for whatever or my right hand for whatever.   
I don't think about which hand I use, it's just something that my hands do to get things done. 
A lot of things I do with both hands at the same time---- playing the piano, guitar or violin;  also, as I type this post on my laptop.
I don't think my hands are ever idle, unless I'm asleep!      

Have a great day in using your hands!   

[concerto_love]

Yaaay!! I can draw with my left hand now!! xD

[tds]

Yaaay!! I can draw with my left hand now!! xD

way to go girl!!

[concerto_love]

Yes, have to practicing writing. My left hand writing still looks like worm...

[javacisnotrecognized]

Right handed; but I've done alot of LH work over the years, and I can do things like throwing a ball or eating well left handed.

[cai hong]

Yes, have to practicing writing. My left hand writing still looks like worm...

Cai's going to be an ambidextrous person then =P

[timothy42b]

I am strongly right handed and rather clumsy trying to anything with my left hand.

But I've injured my right shoulder, impingement syndrome (like a bad rotator cuff) and can no longer do some things right handed.

I play trombone, and it was impossible to practice right handed without aggravating the shoulder.  On Jan 5 of this year I converted to leftie.  A straight tenor trombone without valve can be assembled either way.  A trigger would require conversion, of course.

It took a couple months to be able to play comfortably well at community band level.  At fast tempos there are still occasional passages I will have some trouble with, but most of the time I'm fine. 

Curiously, key signatures are now a problem.  Long ago I worked out all scales in all keys on the trombone, and for at least a decade or so the key signature simply didn't matter.  That skill has vanished now I'm playing left handed, the outer keys now throw me.  I did not realize to what extent my skill incorporated the physical, right handed patterns in memory. 

Last weekend I played frisbee golf with friends, left handed.  I was erratic, but had the occasional good throw. 

[javacisnotrecognized]

Here is something I figured out while trying to learn new tasks left handed: Try the task with your RH and pay attention to the difference in the SENSATION you feel. For example; I tried punching the air; and I figured out that with my left hand; I was 'thrusting my fist forward' and with my right hand my upper arm was coming forwards and up, which propelled the forearm and fist for[ward. The physical motions looked identical from the outside; but the internal perception of it really changed how difficult or easy it could be.