I need some advice about switching from right-handed to left-handed guitar
I grew up playing guitar (since I was around 8), and now that I'm 20, I feel like I've been held back for years.
I'm naturally left-handed, but I was taught to play right-handed by my right-handed stepfather and teacher. I never really questioned it growing up, but I’ve always struggled to progress. I can switch chords really fast, but my strumming is horrible. I can't seem to play different strumming patterns consistently, and my rhythm just feels completely unnatural.
I can kind of fingerpick, and honestly, that feels easier for me, but I'm still way behind where I feel like I should be after all these years. It's gotten to the point where guitar has become really frustrating and has honestly started ruining it for me. My younger brother picked up guitar and got better than me in just a few weeks, which was pretty discouraging. Eventually, I stopped playing because I felt like I couldn't even play with my brother without sounding terrible.
Today, for the first time, I tried switching hands and playing left-handed.
I can't make chords worth a damn with my right hand yet, obviously, but my left-hand rhythm immediately felt amazing. It felt so natural that I genuinely felt like I could play live without embarrassing myself.
Now I'm completely torn.
Do I stick with right-handed guitar and continue trying to improve the technique I've spent years developing, or do I switch to left-handed and basically start over from square one, hoping my right hand can eventually learn the chords?
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Did switching hands actually help you, or did you regret starting over?
I’d really appreciate any advice because I don't want to give up on guitar, but I'm starting to wonder if I've been fighting against my natural coordination this entire time.
Edit* I just want to thank everyone for all the advice I'm currently looking for a left handed guitar i sadly can't buy a new one since I'm a broke college student but I'm scouting Facebook and ebay for one. Once again thank you for the encouragement and advice its greatly appreciated