Left-Handed Ukulele – The Beginner’s Guide to Playing Your Way
Explore four smart options for left-handed ukulele players
Are you left-handed? Don’t worry! First of all, you should try playing a regular right-handed Ukulele. If you feel a bit comfortable with it, use it. We say this because the world is designed for right-handed people, and not for us lefties.
This because most of the instructions and resources are for right-handed people, sadly. You will see that most of the things you read or watch online about learning, including YouTube videos, are for right-handed people. So, we suggest you try to use a right-handed one for this reason.
You might struggle with the strumming of a right-handed ukulele at first, but don’t lose hope. With some practice, you will hopfully master it soon enough.
However, some of the left-handed people have a stronger preference for using their left hand than others. Therefore, they want to have a ukulele that suits them and their way of playing. There could be several reasons for this, such as:
- They want to express their identity as left-handed people and show that they are proud of it.
- They find it too difficult or uncomfortable to play a right-handed ukulele.
- They have high ambitions to become very good players, and they think that a right-handed ukulele would limit their potential.
In this guide, we break down four clear paths you can take as a left-handed ukulele player. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to adjust your technique, there’s an approach that fits your style and goals.
Remember for option 2, 3 and 4: Learning to play the left-handed ukulele can feel confusing at first, especially since most tutorials, diagrams, and instruments cater to right-handed players. However, with the right guidance, left-handed learners can play just as confidently—and comfortably—as anyone else.
🎨 Left-Handed Ukulele Playing Options
| Option | Orientation | Instrument Setup | Chord Diagrams | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Learn Right-Handed | Neck in left hand, strum with right | No changes needed | Standard (right-handed) | Beginners who want full access to tutorials and resources |
| 2. Flip the Strings | Neck in right hand, strum with left | Restring in reverse; may adjust nut | Use left-handed chord charts | Players who want dominant-hand strumming and don’t mind customizing |
| 3. Buy a Left-Handed Uke | Neck in right hand, strum with left | Built for lefties (reversed strings & bracing) | Use left-handed chord charts | Lefties who want a ready-to-play solution |
| 4. Play Upside-Down | Flip uke without restringing | No changes to strings | Use right-handed chord charts | Self-taught players who want to start fast with minimal setup |
✅ Option 1: Learn the Ukulele Right-Handed
The most practical and popular path for beginners
Many left-handed players choose to learn the ukulele right-handed—and for good reason. This method has you strumming with your right hand and fretting with your left.
Why this works well for left-handed ukulele players:
- You gain full access to standard tutorials, songbooks, and videos
- No need to modify your instrument or search for specialty gear
- Your dominant (left) hand controls the frets, giving you precision early on
- You’ll find it easier to play along with others or join group lessons
This approach may feel unfamiliar at first, but many famous left-handed musicians—including Paul McCartney—took the same route and thrived.
🔄 Option 2: Flip the Strings on a Right-Handed Ukulele
Play left-handed while keeping your current instrument
Prefer to strum with your left hand? You can simply flip the strings on a right-handed ukulele. This reverses the string order, making the left-handed ukulele feel more natural in your hands.
Benefits of flipping the strings:
- Keeps your dominant hand in the strumming role
- Allows you to keep your current ukulele
- Still supports a traditional playing position
Considerations before flipping:
- You’ll likely need to adjust or re-cut the nut slots
- Standard chord diagrams won’t match your finger positions
- Intonation and tone may change slightly without setup adjustments
If you take this path, ask a local music shop to help you make the transition smoothly.
For adjusting the nut, read: Bridge, Saddle and Nut
Reverse the strings
However, if you are going to reverse the strings, remember that you will have to translate (mirror) almost all images, chord diagrams, and so on to the opposite orientation. Left-handed people are usually very smart, so this might not be a big problem for you.
Luckily, you can find left-handed Ukulele chord charts (GCEA) on the internet. You can print them out as they are very useful. Or you can buy a book with Left-Handed Ukulele Chords if you prefer.
Naturally, you can also experiment with changing the strings to left-handed ones after trying to play the Ukulele for right-handed people. This way, you can compare how it feels to play both ways. If you find that playing with left-handed strings suits you better, stick with it. If you don’t notice a significant difference, you might want to switch back to the original strings, because your life will be more easy regarding videos, diagrams and so on.
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How to change strings on a left-handed ukulele
To learn how to change the strings, you can watch the video below. Moreover, you can also check out the video at the end of the article about Ukulele Strings, but you have to do it in reverse order for left-handed players. Don’t forget that.
✅ Flip the Strings on a Standard Ukulele
- Loosen and remove all four strings from your uke.
- Re-string in reverse order:
- Top string (closest to your face) becomes A
- Then E, C, and finally G on the bottom (closest to the floor)
- Check the nut (the small piece near the headstock). If the grooves don’t fit the new string order, you may need to gently file them or have a music shop adjust it. Read: Bridge, Saddle and Nut
- Tune to standard G–C–E–A, but now in left-handed orientation.
- Flip chord diagrams mentally or use left-handed chord charts (many are available online).
> This setup lets you strum with your dominant hand while keeping the familiar ukulele sound and tuning.
🎥 Video Demonstration of tuning
Here’s a great beginner-friendly video that walks you through tuning and setup for left-handed players:
▶️ How to Tune Your Ukulele (Left-Handed Players) By John Schmergel – 11 min tutorial with step-by-step tuning and playing guidance
This video covers:
- How to clip and use a tuner
- Which direction to turn each peg
- How to strum and fret in left-handed orientation
🛍 Option 3: Buy a Left-Handed Ukulele
A ready-to-play solution designed for southpaw players
Some brands now offer ukes specifically made for lefties. Choosing a left-handed ukulele from the start can remove guesswork and setup challenges.
To put it simply: A left-handed ukulele is a normal ukulele with the strings in the opposite order.
Advantages of buying a left-handed ukulele:
- It’s factory-strung and designed for comfortable left-hand playing
- Frets, string spacing, and bracing are often built to support your orientation
- You don’t need to modify or flip anything
Look for trusted brands like Kala, Cordoba, or Flight—many offer dedicated left-handed models in soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone sizes.
Here you have some at Amazon.
🔄 Option 4: Play a Right-Handed Ukulele Upside Down
The least common, but most immediate way to get started
Some players choose to flip a right-handed ukulele and play it upside down — without restringing it. This means the string closest to your chin becomes the highest pitch (A string), while the G string ends up closest to the floor. You’ll form mirror-image chord shapes, but interestingly, you can still use standard right-handed chord charts.
However, strumming becomes much more complicated. What should be an upstroke now functions like a downstroke — which can feel backwards and unnatural for many players.
✅ Pros of this upside-down method:
- No gear changes or restringing required
- You can start playing instantly with any right-handed uke
- Great for experimenting casually or testing left-handed comfort
⚠️ Challenges to watch for:
- Tutorials, diagrams, and video lessons won’t match your hand positioning
- Fingerpicking and advanced techniques become harder to execute
- Strumming is the real challenge — reversed stroke direction disrupts rhythm
This approach is best suited for intuitive learners or players who already have some musical experience. While it’s not ideal for structured learning, it allows complete beginners to explore left-handed ukulele playability without a financial investment.
> 🧠 Still unsure which method fits you best? Try this one as a temporary starting point, then decide if flipping strings or switching to a left-handed ukulele feels better down the road for players who already feel comfortable with instruments.
🎯 Which Left-Handed Ukulele Option Is Right for You?
The best way for left-handed people to play ukulele depends on your comfort, learning style, and goals. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Option | Good for beginners? | Requires setup? | Matches tutorials? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learn right-handed | ✅ Yes | ✅ No | ✅ Yes |
| Flip strings | ⚠️ Maybe | ❌ Yes | ❌ No |
| Buy left-handed | ✅ Yes | ✅ No | ❌ No |
| Play upside down | ❌ Not ideal | ✅ No | ❌ No |
> 🎵 If you’re unsure, start by trying the ukulele right-handed—it offers the most learning resources and group compatibility.
Whichever method you choose, make it your own. The uke welcomes creativity, and there’s no wrong way to express yourself musically.
Left Handed Songbooks
Here you have a link to free songbooks for left handed people.
🎯 Avoiding Common Pitfalls as a Left-Handed Ukulele Player
No matter which setup you choose — standard, flipped, upside-down, or a dedicated left handed ukulele — the most important thing is to keep playing consistently and enjoy the process. But like all beginners, left-handed players can still fall into a few common traps that slow progress or cause frustration.
Want to stay on track and build confidence from day one? Check out our full guide: Ukulele Beginner Mistakes – 7 Common Errors and How to Avoid Them. It covers everything from tuning habits and posture to rhythm, mindset, and practice tips — all tailored to help you grow faster and play with more joy.
> 🎶 Whether you’re strumming lefty or righty, avoiding these early missteps will make your ukulele journey smoother, more fun, and way more rewarding.
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