Klarinet Archive - Posting 000832.txt from 1999/08

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] RE: left-handed clarinets ad ligatures
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1999 17:16:28 -0400

Dave,

Enjoyed reading your input on being left handed.

My wife is left handed. I've watched her deal with tools and such. As most left
handed people know, there are sources for left handed tools, scissors, can
openers, and of course, left handed screw drivers.

My wife gets along very well. She, I think, knits and crochets left handed. She
has learned how to reverse the directions. This does pose a problem once and a
while, because she's very good at these "Woman Things," and sometimes people will
bring her knitting that has gone afoul and ask for her help. She can't mend, redo
or fix right hand knitting or crochet work. (Maybe that's a blessing.)

She, like you, has learned to handle a right handed can opener. (We don't go in
for gizmos such as electric pencil sharpens or can openers.) So in that respect I
think left handed people, of necessity, do develop, what I would coin,
semi-ambidextrousness. As an instrument repairman, if I were to pick up a left
handed screw driver and try to use it, I would literally be in a world of hurt.

It would be a fairly easy matter to reverse lead pipe and bell to create a left
handed trumpet. Of course the second valve crook would still port to the right,
but it could be done. Wouldn't it be funny though to see a left handed French
horn? Don't think he'd land a job with the Chicago Symphony.

I knew a trombone player who wanted to play in the marching and concert bands when
I went to college. The band director wouldn't have a thing to do with him, and
also forbid him from playing trombone in the dance band, even though he was a fine
improviser.

Left handed guitar or electric bass? Why? What's harder, chording or plucking?
Just learn the ax.

Dave Sandusky wrote:

> On this lest handed thing:
> I am left handed (at least I write left handed, and use the mouse left handed
> too!), but I have noticed that I, like most other left-ies am not totally
> dependent on doing all things left handed. Living in a right handed world, I
> notice that "we" have learned to do things right handed too. I throw and catch
> right handed, play golf and tennis righty too. BUT, I bowl, shoot and throw
> under-hand lefty. I use tools pretty much with either hand, kick mostly lefty
> but can do righty too.
> My point? I think most right handed people are pretty much right-hand only.
> Most left handed people are not totally dependent on the right. We don't have
> a choice (have you ever tried using a right-handed can opener left handed? Or
> scissors?). This makes us more versatile (and as the old joke goes, in our
> "right mind").
> I would find it hard to believe that anybody would have real difficulty
> tightening ligature screws with the "other" hand. Geez, deal with it!
> As far as mice go, the reason I use the left hand is because I 10-key with the
> right (again, have no choice, the number pad is on the right side of the
> computer). It made more sense to me to have one hand on the mouse and one hand
> on the key pad. Sort of like eating "European" style (which of course, I do!).
>
> In short, left handed people just "deal". Like we said in (gulp-no flames for
> this part, please) Marching Band, "Adapt and Perform"!
>
> Dave Sandusky
> Looking forward to have 10 years less of life expectancy for being left handed
>
> "Buckman, Nancy" wrote:
>
> > I, too, am left-handed, but learned to use which ever hand was called for
> > when it came to things musical. However, I can't seem to use a mouse with
> > my right hand, which drives my office mates crazy. I am the one who uses
> > the computer the most, so the mouse is on the left side of the keyboard. I
> > am wondering if there is a device for dual mice. Mark?
> >
> > Nancy (oh no - off topic :o) )
> >
> > Nancy E. Buckman, Technical Assistant
> > Anne Arundel Community College
> > Arnold, Maryland 21012 USA
> >
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