From Research to Restringing
Picking up a guitar for the first time at 33 years old was intimidating, to say the least. But on my journey of self-exploration, it was a decision that resonated deeply with my personal growth. As a lefty, my first big decision was whether to buy a left-handed or right-handed guitar. I did a little research and opted to purchase a right-handed guitar simply because left-handed options were limited. I found a beautiful 1940s all-wood Telleno parlor guitar online, and soon I was plucking away.
Three weeks of consistent practice went by, and it seemed to be going really well. Chords came a bit easier since I was fretting with my dominant hand. But then I learned about how Kurt Cobain would flip and restring right-handed guitars for left-handed playing. I realized that if I wanted to truly get comfortable and reach the level I aimed for, I needed to start over and embrace playing as a lefty from the ground up. So, after three weeks of consistent practice, I decided to restring my Telleno guitar and start my learning completely over.
Starting Over with Calluses and Clumsy Fingers
Once I decided to switch hands, I soon remembered just how painful building up calluses from scratch can be. That has been the most frustrating part, because I just want to play! My right hand, which is now doing the fretting, feels totally out of its element. Turns out, it’s not as simple as knowing the finger positions for the chords and just doing it on the opposite hand. Let’s just say my fingers are not impressed with the whole “starting over plan.”
In hopes of building up dexterity and muscle memory as quickly as possible, I purchased this left-handed chord trainer:
I love this tool, because I can take it on walks, I use it when watching TV, and I can even practice while riding in the car. Above is a link to the exact one I use, and they also sell right-handed ones. Another great thing about this practice tool, is it’s easy on my fingertips while I’m waiting on those calluses to form.
What I’m doing to Improve Finger Dexterity and Muscle Memory
There are many great online resources for new guitar players to build up muscle memory. Here are my favorite drills that I’ve been doing:
- Finger Curls
How: Sit or stand with your forearm up and palm facing the ceiling. Starting from a flat, relaxed hand, curl from the big knuckles first (like you’re holding a small ball), then the middle joints, then the tips—keeping a natural arch. Uncurl in reverse. Stay slow and tension-free.
Why it helps: Trains the curved, arched finger shape you need to wrap around the neck (instead of collapsing flat), improving reach, strength, and clean fretting. - Finger Lifts
How: Fret a chord. Place all fingers down cleanly, then lift them about an inch off the strings together, and land them back in the exact same spots together. Start slow; aim for quiet, precise landings.
Why it helps: Builds placement accuracy, finger memory, and synchronized movement so you hit full chords cleanly on the first try. - Play in front of a mirror
How: Practice simple chords or strums where you can see both hands. Check: curved fingers, relaxed shoulders, wrist not bent sharply, thumb placement behind the neck, and minimal extra motion.
Why it helps: Visual feedback exposes tiny form issues you can’t feel. Fixing them early prevents bad habits and buzzing notes. - Say the strings out loud
How: While forming a chord, speak where each finger goes using string numbers. For a D major shape:
“1st finger: string 3, 2nd finger: string 1, 3rd finger: string 2.”
Repeat it like a jingle as you place the fingers.
Why it helps: Linking speech to motion strengthens memory and keeps you from going on autopilot. You’ll learn positions faster and more confidently. - Eyes-Closed Practice
How: Once your Finger Lifts are solid, repeat the lift/land cycles with eyes closed. Feel the distances and landings; listen for clean notes.
Why it helps: Trains proprioception (finger awareness without looking), which speeds up chord changes.
Final Thoughts (For Now)
Switching to left-handed playing honestly felt like hitting the reset button. It’s frustrating starting from scratch, and my motivation has taken a hit, but I’ve also learned a lot from beginning again. I’m paying way more attention to the little things, like finger placement, posture, even how I hold the pick, because I can’t just muscle my way through anymore.
If you’re learning guitar (or starting over like me), don’t beat yourself up if it feels slow. A few minutes of practice every day adds up fast. One day you’re fighting to get your fingers to land right, and the next you realize your hands just know where to go.
I’ll keep sharing what’s helping me along the way, so if you’ve switched hands, started over, or have any fun tips, I’d love to hear them in the comments. And if you’re curious, try some of these drills this week. You might be surprised how much smoother things feel after just a little consistent practice.
