[Full of legendary guitarists!?] Left-handed guitarists roundup [2026]
When playing guitar, the basic approach is to strum with your right hand and fret chords with your left, right?
However, there are guitarists out there who play the other way around—left-handed!
Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain are the most famous examples of left-handed guitarists.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of left-handed guitarists from both Japan and abroad, in addition to those two.
Even among left-handed guitarists, styles vary: some use left-handed guitars, some restring right-handed guitars for left-handed playing, and others even play a standard right-handed guitar flipped as-is.
Each guitarist has their own approach.
Let’s take a look at some awesome guitarists while paying attention to their individual styles!
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[Full of legendary guitarists!?] Left-handed guitarists roundup [2026] (1–10)
TarhatazedMdou Moctar
Mdou Moctar from Niger, nicknamed “the Hendrix of the Sahara.” He’s known for a left-handed style that flips a right-handed guitar upside down, and for a sound that fuses the traditional music “assouf” with psychedelic rock.
He began around 2008, and in a unique twist, his early recordings spread via phone-to-phone data sharing.
Although he hasn’t received official awards, his album Afrique Victime was selected as one of 2021’s best by many music outlets, which speaks for his undeniable talent.
His ferocious, swirling guitar work makes him an artist that guitarists seeking technical prowess and fresh inspiration should definitely check out.
Everybody Here Hates YouCourtney Barnett
Courtney Barnett delivers witty, conversational lyrics over a laid-back slacker rock sound.
A leading figure in Australia’s indie scene, she’s also known as a left-handed singer-songwriter.
She drew international attention with a compilation of her 2013 EPs, and her 2015 debut album, “Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit,” won four categories at the ARIA Music Awards and earned a Grammy nomination.
Favoring a fingerstyle approach—plucking the strings with her thumb and index finger rather than using a pick—on a left-handed guitar, she’s an artist who colors her unique, slice-of-life lyricism with a warm yet edgy guitar sound.
Place to TryJose
Jose, who serves as vocalist and guitarist for TOTALFAT, is also one of the few left-handed guitarists active in Japan’s rock scene.
TOTALFAT is a rock band known for its exhilarating melodic hardcore sound rooted in West Coast American pop-punk, occasionally featuring metallic riffs and guitar solos.
Until 2019, Kuboty was the lead guitarist, but Jose, as the singing guitarist, actively took part in lead playing as well.
The unison parts with Kuboty in their songs are of course cool just for the sound, but seeing a right-handed and a left-handed guitarist standing side by side on stage and performing is electrifyingly cool—so be sure to look up and watch footage from that era.
[So Many Legendary Guitarists!?] A Roundup of Left-Handed Guitarists [2026] (11–20)
Achy Breaky HeartBilly Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus is a singer-songwriter who moves effortlessly between country and pop.
He made his major debut in 1992, and his first album famously set a record by spending 17 consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Billboard 200.
In recent years, he stepped back into the spotlight by winning two awards at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards for his collaboration with Lil Nas X on “Old Town Road (Remix).” He’s also a bona fide left-handed guitarist, with a story of being unable to play his right-handed father’s guitar and learning on a left-handed one instead.
The combination of rock-influenced distorted guitar tones and his unpretentious, warm vocal delivery is a major part of his musical appeal.
Having reached the pinnacle in both the ’90s and the present day, his music is sure to resonate not only with country fans but also with rock listeners across generations.
I want my Crown (Feat. Joe Bonamassa)Eric Gales
Eric Gales is an especially unique guitarist who, despite being right-handed, plays in a left-handed style.
Taught by his left-handed brother, he performs using an “upside-down” approach, holding a right-handed guitar flipped over.
Born in Memphis, he was hailed as a blues-rock prodigy from a young age and debuted in 1991 under the name Eric Gales Band.
That same year, he won Guitar World’s Best New Talent and scored a hit with “Sign of the Storm.” Centered on the blues, his sound also incorporates elements of funk and gospel.
His acclaimed album “Crown” was nominated at the 65th Grammy Awards, underscoring his proven prowess.
While evoking the lineage of Jimi Hendrix, his dynamic playing—born from his distinctive technique—is nothing short of breathtaking.
If you love soulful, virtuosic guitar work, he’s a must-check artist.
FiremanBlake Schwarzenbach
Blake Schwarzenbach, the frontman of Jawbreaker—often called the godfathers of emo—is actually a left-handed guitarist.
While rooted in punk rock, the band’s literary, introspective lyrics and emotionally rich melodies had a major impact on the ’90s emo/indie scene.
Their 1994 masterpiece, 24 Hour Revenge Therapy, is still hailed as a landmark release.
Although they don’t have official awards to their name, their music has influenced countless bands, even inspiring a tribute album.
After overcoming vocal cord polyp surgery, Schwarzenbach has also taught English literature at a university—his intellectual presence is part of his appeal.
With their first-ever visit to Japan planned for 2025, now’s the perfect time to check them out!
In This DiaryKris Roe
Kris Roe maintains a truly unique style: though right-handed, he plays guitar left-handed.
The pop-punk band he leads, The Ataris, debuted in 1997 with the album “Anywhere but Here.” At the core of his music are narrative-rich lyrics drawn from personal experiences and heart-wrenchingly emotional melodies.
Their 2003 landmark album “So Long, Astoria” was certified Gold, and its cover of “The Boys of Summer” reached No.
20 on the U.S.
charts.
The sight of him passionately strumming a right-handed guitar flipped upside down only makes his music feel more dramatic.
If you love melancholy pop-punk, he’s a guitarist who’s sure to resonate with you.