Most violinists use their left hand for intricate fingerwork, so why is the right hand used for more complex key pressing on the piano? (continued)
Keith Macpherson
Clevedon, Somerset, UK
Advertisement
The finesse required when playing musical instruments is probably the best example of handedness in humans. But there are other instances where you have to learn to do things the other way around.
Many people have experienced this reversal when having to drive in a foreign country. I experienced it when, after 14 years flying planes from the right-hand seat, I moved to the left. On the right, the gentler touch of my right hand on the control wheel contrasted with the coarser and stiffer response from the thrust levers manipulated by my left hand for controlling the engines. Moving to the left seat meant unlearning these biases in favour of new sensitivities.
Nervous passengers will be delighted to know this transition takes place in the simulator.
Marilyn Minchom Goldberg
London, UK
In 1997, Christopher Seed, a concert pianist who plays both normally and in mirror image, commissioned piano-makers Poletti and Tuinman to build him the world’s first left-handed piano. The unconventional instrument received a lot of media interest and was exhibited at music festivals in Belgium and London.
Adrian Simper
Wasdale, Cumbria, UK
Most players will spend most of their time playing in ensembles, rather than as soloists. The carnage that would result from orchestral string players playing whichever way round they fancied doesn’t bear thinking about. You have to be very confident of your future career as a soloist to not go with the crowd as a beginner.
To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.
Questions should be scientific enquiries about everyday phenomena, and both questions and answers should be concise. We reserve the right to edit items for clarity and style. Please include a postal address, daytime telephone number and email address.
Â鶹´«Ã½ retains total editorial control over the published content and reserves all rights to reuse question and answer material that has been submitted by readers in any medium or in any format.