Annette, you`re not the original poster on this threasd, it`s been going on for pages, that`s why. It`s about plasying laefty and trying to find a teacher whow ill teach lefty,which is what I am trying to do.
Still looking...

Thanks for the information. I don`t use the internet very much and obviously don`t know what I`m doing.

Annette

Well if that`;s the position then i suggest you contact Cristian gliga who is on

http://www.violinslover.com

Gliga will make any violin as a leftie. I`d suggest you check the size though. 4/4 to 1/4 is the most enormous difference.

liz

Liz & Annette,
All I saw for sale on the Gliga page for lefties was the 4/4 model.

Now, that`s not to say that they can`t get/make a 1/4 size model for you.

You may want to email them and ask about availability or the possibility to have one custom made. If they have them made in China and shipped here, it would still be cheaper than having a 1/4 size lefty model custom made here in the States.

Annette,
My guess is that you`re looking for a inexpensive model because your son will grow, so having a States-made 1/4 size might be cost prohibitive. My suggestion would be have a 1/4 righty converted to lefty. There are luthiers from all over that will do that for you. Find one that has done it before and, if you can, take the violin to him or her before you purchase it.

Be aware that 4 things will have to be changed in the conversion:
1) The sound post moved.
2) The bass bar moved.
3) The bridge reworked, nut work.
4) Some gradation of the soundboard for the sound post and/or bass bar.

A caution: The pressure on the soundboard, by the sound post may be too much when placed on the other side of the bridge/strings. In other words, the wood on the other side of the soundboard may be too thin to accomidate the soundpost.

Maybe a 2/4 or 3/4 would last him longer, though.

Anyway, just some suggestions.

A Gliga will be much cheaper than a conversion. They are made in Romania. I am 99% sure they will make to order in any size, though i haven`t asked (I would be extremely reluctant to sell one that was not full size because of concerns i have mentioned earlier in this thread, unless it were a case of a disability which made playing right handed impossible).

I agree about the size: a small leftie will be unsaleable to all intents and purposes, best to get a 1/2 size if the child can manage it as it will last longer.

liz

Liz is right, the conversions themselves could be more than the price of the Gliga. I wasn`t really thinking of that when I suggested a conversion.

The Gliga lefties are in the $400 range.

Thanks for all your advice, everyone. We already know that 1/4 size is the right size, and we already know about conversions and there are some very talented folks who do this professionally in our area, msome of whom have done a lot of work on our family & friends` instruments of various types. I just thought it would be simplist to find one that had alaready converted, because as you noted, children will grow out of the 1/4 size.

Thanks again.
Annette

It`s my understanding that in addition to the list above that the tuning pegs have to be switched so they don`t get in the way of the hand on the fretboard. As far as being unsellable, if I can find a good student quality left-handed 1/4 size I`d buy it.

That`s right, Annette. The peg box might have to be converted too. I had forgotten about that. That`s something that my luthier said would be and optional change.

As for finding a 1/4 size, try SEBA at http://www.sebabluegrass.org/, if you haven`t.

i am a left handed vioin and i think i have an advantage because my dominent hand is on the finger board and it moves faster then my right. so if you r a lefty the violin favors you. but it shouldnt really matter i think a violinthat id the other way isnt a violin anymore just a stupid wanna be violin

"...but it shouldnt really matter i think a violinthat id the other way isnt a violin anymore just a stupid wanna be violin"


That has to be one of the most ignorant comments I`ve ever heard.

After reading just about every word of this lengthy and interesting string, I say: choose your genre. If you or your child are lefty and considering where to start with the violin, think realistically. Very few children (and virtually no beginner adults) will ultimately make a career out of music.

Some may continue casually, and that`s where popular vocal styles come in, because you can`t be a casual classical player and call up 50 of your buddies for a jam session. Whereas the American folk fiddle style of playing (bowing, really) was once universally scoffed at by highbrow types, it is now a legitimate genre and (for me) a genuine pleasure to hear and play.

In Wimberley, TX, near where I`m from, a group of 10-20 musicians gather every Friday evening for a free jam session. There are normally 3-5 fiddles present and although they accept donations to improve the venue (a patio behind a diner), they would show up whether an audience appeared or not. Often novices sit on the fringes and play softly along with the rest. A local classically-trained violin player has frequently joined in, attempting to broaden her skills with what has become a very popular and increasingly profitable style of music.

My point is that Liz is right about one thing. Although the point of orchestras should be the music, people pay to see the whole package. With orchestras, it is admittedly more pleasing to the eye to see everyone moving the same way--like appreciating a well-balanced painting. Although I love orchestral music, I have gravitated more to the frontier fiddle sound. So if you are considering a violin manufactured or converted for a lefty, and you`ve never investigated the folk/bluegrass style, check it out. If you find it`s not your cup of tea, well...I might recommend trying righty, but as a lefty and advocate, I can`t in good conscience encourage a fellow lefty to do something which might crimp their potential. And anyone who suggests that a lefty shouldn`t even attempt to play a left-handed violin should be smacked upside the head with one. I say at least give it a try, and there are usually at least a dozen modestly priced (under $100) lefty violins listed on ebay at any time (48 this second). They may not have the best sound, but it`s a cheaper way to find out if that`s the way to play for you.

As far as lessons go, yes, it really is just a matter of going through the list until you find someone with the patience. How else could it be? The lefty market isn`t big enough for someone to advertise themselves as a lefty instructor. And if you dig bluegrass, and can find a group like our local players, start as all lefties do...on the fringe.

Also, most kids sell their instuments back after they`re done with school band. A lefty might have a smaller resale value, depending on whether you sell it back to a store or try ebay.

Im a left handed double-bass player who is attending the University of Southern Mississippi. I just had my first lesson with the bass instructor here, who did not know that I was left handed. The first thing he said before I even started playing was that I am going to have to learn to play right handed. He then went on to list the reasons why. I was heart broken. I am already an accomplished blues/bluegrass bassist, and had never thought that my being left handed who stop be from being able to be classically trained in my instrument. Its completly obsurd, yet apparently a fact of life. I now have to go buy a right handed bass and start over or change my major, and give up my dream. I dont know what to do......I feel lost

Speak to the Dean of students or President of the University and have him persuade the instructor otherwise. Remember that they are not paying you to play. You are paying them to attend, or your scholarships are. You should not be forced to change by a instructor of a college, maybe an orchestra director or private or professional group leader, but not a college instructor. Colleges are supposed to encourage creative thinking and outside-of-the-norm ideas. If they don`t allow lefties, then the pros won`t start either.

If the college insists, you can always hire a lawyer an threaten to sue them for discrimination. Or go to the student union and get them to help you out.

Once you succeed, be appreciative to them and work hard at it to prove to them that they made the right decision.

Otherwise, consider speaking to the jazz performance instructor and see if he or she has a difference of opinion. If you are already playing blues and bluegrass on the upright bass, you`ll fit right in with a jazz group (not to say that it won`t be challenging.)

Just, don`t be bullied by closed minded professors.

Keep us posted, Cody.

Good luck.