Left–Handed Pianos: A Bad Idea

This is an article explaining why I find Left–Handed pianos to be silly and a bad idea.

Case Study

In a recent “innovation”, Christopher Seed has created a left-handed piano. When I first heard of this, I thought this was the silliest thing ever. I thought about this and concluded that left–handed pianos are a bad idea.

Personal Issues

I am left–handed and a pianist myself. I have never found myself struggling to play because of hand preference. A good pianist would be able to play piano without handedness being a factor at all. According to Seed his reason for creating this piano was because “he can play the melody with his left hand”. Why would you need to do this? In fact, I think left–handers should have a bigger advantage with regular pianos, since chords require more strength. I don’t get it.

Mass Confusion

When you get used to playing a left–handed piano, you’re screwed. You can’t know how to play piano both ways, since left–handed pianos are exactly the opposite. Get used to a left-handed piano, and you won’t be able to play any other pianos. Piano is complicated enough without segregating all pianos into two types.

Outside Acknowledgements

Creating a piano that makes no sense for no reason is bad, but it isn't the worst part. The worst part is no one is noticing this besides me! Look at the reviews on the homepage. The New York Times says:

“A left–handed piano would allow southpaws to lead with their strength…it’s an attractive prospect.”

You can tell that whoever wrote that doesn’t know the first thing about being left–handed or a pianist. Of course, The New York Times being completely oblivious to something doesn’t really suprise me.

Conlcusions

The only conclusion is to not get sucked into this mess. There is not a clear need for left–handed pianos, nor does completely switching around the keyboard create any benefits or allow you to “lead with your strength”. Avoid left–handed pianos.