keep on strumming... or not?

Listeners are more apt to note an egregious break in the rhythm than a fumbled chord. Your teacher's advice is good. And if you play with others, you've got to keep time and stay in tempo with the band.

When your playing even if it is just for yourself - absolutely.

Practicing is more flexible. When practicing I would move slowly until I have the cord changes cemented in the brain. If you practice the chord changes you need really slowly, you can concentrate on moving all of your fingers at once, which I am assuming is your problem. It is crutial that you learn to do this, although it could take awhile. Try moving your fingers very slowly planting the fingers at the same time or even in the opposite order that you are currently using. You will be surprized how fast this can help.

I think you have to differentiate your time between "playing" the song and just "fretting" chords.

I used to practice fingers off of the fretboard, then slamming them on and playing the chord. I then repeated this alot of times, quite slowly, until my fingers were getting it more right than before. Then I'd move on to the next chord and repeat.

Having done this a couple of times for each chord, I'd then play the song where it is essential not to stop as you are practicing rhythm as well as changing hand position, which sadly alot of beginners lack, yet is vital.

I have to say, now I'm a tiny bit more "grown-up", I make a choice as to whether to stop or not. If the flow is good and it's a small error, why stop? You might miss out on doing a hard bit well. However, if you're stumbling along or your mind loses its train of thought then it could be worth stopping.

Definitely keep strumming. Keep your rhythm together until your fingers catch up. No one will notice it as much as you do! Unless you stop strumming! :D

Hmmm - the important thing is to get the changes in on time. I teach my students to "finger it and strum it once" if that's easiest for them because they can get away with an awful lot so long as the changes come in at the right time.

It would be good to know how your teacher's thinking about what he says.

Best,

A :-)

I am with Greybeard. I understand what your teacher is trying to do (teach you to keep time), but he is also training you to play sloppy. And how you practice is how you will play.

So I don't think I agree with this method.

You have got to slow it down to where you can make proper chord changes. Strum at that speed even if it is very slow. With a little practice you will make the chord changes quicker and can pick up the tempo.

well said wes, use a the dreaded metronome, speed will come, i promise 8)

I am a firm believer in practicing something new, as slowly, with stops if needed, until you have it all figured out and "know" the song. Then, I try to keep strumming, and my chord changes quickly catch up!

When I first started my chord changes were slow and inaccurate. My teacher told me to keep strumming. Say we're playing G to C to D. I'd finger the G and, when it's time to switch to the C I wouldn't get my fingers in position until the last beat of the C measure. Then he'd be playing on the D and I'd get there the last beat. It was crazy.

I think he should have slowed down the songs when he played along with me rather than have me absolutely fumble at practice. At home I would practice at a much slower tempo so that I could make changes almost right. As said by others, you will play like you practice and that can ingrain some bad playing.

I have some bad habits from doing just that. Take your time and slow it all down. It's not a race.

When I first started my chord changes were slow and inaccurate. My teacher told me to keep strumming. Say we're playing G to C to D. I'd finger the G and, when it's time to switch to the C I wouldn't get my fingers in position until the last beat of the C measure. Then he'd be playing on the D and I'd get there the last beat. It was crazy.

I think he should have slowed down the songs when he played along with me rather than have me absolutely fumble at practice. At home I would practice at a much slower tempo so that I could make changes almost right. As said by others, you will play like you practice and that can ingrain some bad playing.

I have some bad habits from doing just that. Take your time and slow it all down. It's not a race.

i think i go along with a bit of everything really that's been posted...

i've experienced what you're describing and it's madness... so yes i've come to the conclusion that slowing down until i can make the changes then picking up speed later is a good idea.... especially when i'm at home practicing on my own....

on the other hand i've experimented - and sometimes my changes have become better because i've kept up.... even if i've only hit the chord on the last beat...

so maybe a bit of this and that is the answer?

i bought a lovely new guitar today... a simon and patrick... mahogany back and sides wth a spruce front... i'm very happy. :D

so maybe a bit of this and that is the answer?

I think so, yes. When you are learning a completely new chord shape it is probably best to play very slowly so that you have enough time to finger the chord correctly. Once you have this pat down you want to start playing the chords in "normal" tempo, because this is what you eventually want to be doing, even when you don't always play the chord correctly. Playing a chord correctly is important, but speed is equally important. I just think that playing correctly is the thing that should come first.

However, eventually you should start using the method your teacher is telling you, because you want the chord changes to become automatic. It won't work if you always have to stop and think about how to finger the chord, it should become automatic, that's why playing it in such a tempo that you can't stop to think about it is important. It's so cool when you finger the chord right for the first time without thinking about it!

When you're playing with a band, you can't stop and go back to fix the chord. Just keep going, and try to fix it next time it comes around. I know this from playing bass in jazz band- the band doesn't stop for you to fix the note.