Wind instruments: why is the left hand on top?
Every wind instrument which require the two hands to press keys (saxophone, clarinet, oboe…) have the left hand of the player being the top one. This consistency makes it easier to switch from one instrument to another but is there a particular reason for that?
One could think that both hands are equally used on these instruments but I remember, as a left-handed person, trying to grab the saxophone the other way around when I started (it did not last long). There are lefties guitar, while, even if both hands do not have the same role, both of them are pretty active. If there is a physiological reason for having the left hand on top, then why don't we have left-handed wind instruments?
(1)1 Comments
Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best
Western woodwind instruments were played with either hand on top up to the eighteenth century when keys started to be added. The first key on the modern flute was the D-sharp/E-flat key which was on an extra joint and could be rotated for either hand. As more keys were added people finally settled on having the left hand on top and all modern western instruments are built this way.
The concept of right- or left-handedness is irrelevant for woodwind instruments because neither hand dominates, although I once saw a "left-handed" keyed Irish flute, and I've heard of "left-handed" recorders.
Terms of Use Privacy policy Contact About Cancellation policy © freshhoot.com2026 All Rights reserved.