Is being left handed a handicap??

[Rockitman]

I am left handed and have always wondered if piano would have come easier for me if I was right handed, knowing that most music demands that the right hand play the more technical parts. 
What do you all think?
Can anybody name some piano greats, who were left handed?

[richard w]

Left-handed pianos do exist. I recall hearing once of one left-handed concert pianist who turned to such an instrument, and found it to be a complete revelation. I can't remember his name though, rather it is just something I recall seeing on the television, once.

So, sorry, I guess it's harder.

I'd be interested to know if, as a left-handed pianist, you find it easier to play certain pieces, such as Chopin's Op.10 No.12.

[shasta]

I'm a lefty.  I don't feel left-handedness is a handicap for right-handed technical parts, since it's the repertoire my hands have been brought up with.

Regarding the Op.10 No.12:  It was fairly straightforward for me, though I wouldn't attribute it to being a lefty, just practice, practice, practice... 

[Motrax]

I would even think being left-handed would improve your technique over a right-handed pianist, generally speaking.  Right-handed pianists (or pianists-to-be) tend to neglect their left hand an awful lot, and they can get away with it in most cases. Left-handed pianists have lots of practice with their right hand, but their left hand remains strong, so they would have a more balanced technique, I should think.

[pianobabe56]

I'm not sure if being left-handed makes that big a difference. I agree that it helps a great deal as far as technique goes, but as far as being a handicap, I'm not sure that's the case. I have one student who is left handed and plays beautifully! It will be interesting to see their tendencies as they grow musically.

[galonia]

Left-handed pianos do exist.

What is a left-handed piano?  How is one of those different from a right-handed piano?  With guitars, you can put the strings on upside down and get a left-handed guitar, but I cannot imagine how you could construct a left-handed piano... unless the high pitched notes are on the left and the low ones on the right???

I would even think being left-handed would improve your technique over a right-handed pianist, generally speaking. Right-handed pianists (or pianists-to-be) tend to neglect their left hand an awful lot, and they can get away with it in most cases.

Yes, I always need my LH to be stronger, more dextrous, etc - my control over my LH is not so good because I'm right-handed.  I have to do extra practise on my LH just to make sure the discrepancy between the two hands does not become ridiculous.

[bernhard]

What is a left-handed piano?  How is one of those different from a right-handed piano?  With guitars, you can put the strings on upside down and get a left-handed guitar, but I cannot imagine how you could construct a left-handed piano... unless the high pitched notes are on the left and the low ones on the right???

Yes. That is correct. The high pitched notes are on the left and the low ones on the right!

Have a look here:

https://www.lefthandedpiano.co.uk/

Three famous left –handed pianists that come to mind (I am sure there are more):

C. P. E. Bach
Cole Porter
Glenn Gould

Best wishes,
Bernhard

[julie391]

i read about a guy who plays on one in pianist magazine, indeed he said it was a revelatory experience

[e60m5]

It's not at all a handicap.

[Rockitman]

Well after now knowing that Glen Gould was left handed, I guess it really shouldn't matter.
Regarding the left handed pianos,  what a concept!   Not very practical though I would think.  The poor guy who ever learned on it would probably have to bring it with him whereever he played.     
And I'm more of a Prelude Op 28 no 3 than an Etude 10/12 kinda of guy.  The Revolutionary is way above my skill level.   And yes, I find playing runs with my left a bit easier than with my right even though my right gets more "run" playing time.   I am a thumb under guy who is trying to get the hang of this "thumb over" action.  My right hand thumb under has always been bad and I would dearly love to figure out thumb over.   Somehow, my left has it figured out already and descending runs sound much better than my ascending right. 

[pies]

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[flash]

I'm a lefty too. The left side of the keyboard is more hard to play because the strings and the hammers are bigger so I think that is important to have a good  left hand.
In my opinion the most part of piano players don't give enough attention to the left end. The bass notes need more powerful sound.

[bravuraoctaves]

I'm left handed.