Left or Right Handed Cello

[Kim Strode]

Hello Luthiers,

I know this is off topic, but I need to ask a question relating to Cello design, in the hope that someone out there might have an answer.

My daughter is left handed and has always played it using the bow in her right hand. Is there any reason why she cannot play the Cello holding the bow with her left hand?

I know a guitar is braced for right or left handed players, but I don't know how a cello is braced, or wether it matters?

Thanks,

[kiwigeo]

Im no cello expert but I believe cellos don't really have bracing like under an acoustic guitar top. There is generally a single "Bass bar" running along axis of the instrument and it appears to be offset slightly to the bass side.

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Matthew makes "big cellos" so he'd be the guy to ask

[kiwigeo]

Kym,

Some useful info in this forum thread: http://www.cello.org/heaven/mbarchs/march15/lefty.htm

[RobDyball]

Hi Kim,

All cellists, violinists, and violists, lefties or righties, play with the bow in their right hand. Impossible to work in an orchestra if not!

R

[simso]

The bass bar internally is the most noticeable difference, but you will also have to reprofile the fingerboard, most cellos have a hump just below the bass string, a symmetrical fretboard is okay to play on, so smooth arch similiar to the bridge, just kick the new bass side up an extra 2mm