Is it usually so that you count 1+2+3+4+ in a song and it stays the same chord? Or lets say you start with an Em chord for 1+2+ and then you change to another chord, but do you count still in your head the numbers?
Because right now I am just practicing 1+2+3+4+ with one chord and then changing the chords after the 4+… or should I practice even changing in between??
Later on, you will learn that chords can indeed change in a bar, not just after it. But for now, it’s totally fine to just change after 4. You don’t have to make it more complicated than necessary 
2 Likes
Hi Justin. I am currently in module 5 of grade 1. I am pretty good with chords and chord changes and strumming patterns which you taught so far. But there is some rough sound while strumming, which has reduced now than it was at the beginning, but it is still there. How can i correct that? why is it coming? what am i doing wrong?
1 Like
issue i seem to be having is making chord changes WHILE strumming, i can change chords quickly during exercises but the minute i start trying to play songs, even on the chord changes Im the best at, the song quickly sounds choppy and robotic and then my changes quickly fall apart.
Any tips?
Yo Shane,
This is pretty common.
In my experience, I find this happens when students are ok with chord changes, and ok with a strumming pattern. But because both are only “ok” (so to say), when you put them both together, they fall apart. To put them both together successfully, you have to be great at both the chord changes and the strumming pattern, because your brain is doing two things at the same time.
Or sometimes it’s less about being better at each individual element, and more about learning how to do two things at the same time.
An exercise I use with students is what I call Changing To The Same Chord.
Essentially, you strum through the strumming pattern whilst playing an easy chord (Em), and rather than changing to a new chord, you simply lift your fingers up off the strings like you were going to change chords, but then put them back down on the Em chord. It’s less brain work, and it gets the skill of playing and changing in motion in a more simplified way.
Lee 
2 Likes
Hi Visista, first I would suggest reviewing all the strumming lessons again to listen to Justin’s advice on good strumming. I still do that after 4 years with Justin.
So key advice he gives is:
use a thinner pick at first to avoid picking too hard and getting the pick stuck in the strings.
Play relaxed. Don’t hold the pick too tight. Play from the elbow and keep the wrist relaxed.
It takes more time to learn good strumming than to learn fast chord changes. I am still improving my strumming after 4 years. Over time you will also get better.
1 Like
If I can give advice to anybody starting, their journey is to spend time on Justin‘s strumming exercises. I’m three years into my journey and am amazed at the progress I’ve made, however, now I found some jamming buddies and have discovered my weak link is rhythm and timing and strumming. While playing by yourself, it doesn’t really matter, but when playing with an Ensemble, it’s so important!! I’ve developed some really bad strumming habits, which is something that I tried to avoid, i.e. developing bad habits. As Justin says practice makes permanent not perfect. I wish I would have spent closer attention to Justin strumming lessons in module one. I am now well into module four and going back to module one and also taking Justin strumming Class.
3 Likes