funky chords and orientation session

We learnt to pluck using the pick in guitar class last Saturday. Our regular teacher, AC was away in Hong Kong, so his substitute came and taught us. We must've turned the class upside down when we tried to have an "orientation session" for SH.

SH : So, do you guys usually start with a prayer?

Me : Ya, our teacher says the opening prayer...

Mel : .. and the closing prayer also!

(When in fact, each of us take turns to pray)

*Opening prayer by SH*

SH : Alright, let's see if our guitars are in tune.. (looks at us, waiting for us to tune our own guitars).. Er, how long have you guys been in this class?

Mel : This is our 2nd semester already.

SH : Oh, so should be able to tune right?

Me : Our teacher usually tunes for us (but pretends to tune the guitar anyways)

SH : Hmm, your guitar is a bit out of tune, let me try.

*SH exchanges his guitar with mine*

SH : Who tunes your guitar?

Me : Well, usually it's AC. (I conveniently left out the fact that, that morning itself, AlvinK who was at my house for a discussion actually retuned my guitar)

SH : Ah, I think I know what's the problem. See here, your third string is not wound, that's why bla-bla-bla (actually I lost him when he started spewing guitar jargons. And inside I was thinking, but my fren AlvinB told me this were branded guitar strings).

Me : Oh... (that was all I could muster)

SH : You may have to change your strings.

Me : (What??!) But this is a new set of strings... (Think he lost me because he was busy tuning my guitar and pointing out the 3rd string which was not wound)

*SH hands me back my guitar*

SH : Alright, let's begin. So what did you guys practice last week?

*Class proceeds as usual, or so we thought*

While we were playing Light of the World, he noticed we did not use conventional fingering for some of the chords. Mel and Uncle Chan who already know most chords, therefore giving us unnecessary pressure who were supposed to be in the intermediate class were playing bar chords, while Shu and I used the shortcuts AC taught us. He was surprised to see our versions of Bsus and F#m, and a funky G#m in place of E. So intrigued was he that he separated the 2 groups and tried to teach us the right fingerings.

Needless to say, Shu and I left the class feeling disillusioned as everything we have been learning all these while seemed to be wrong. But, I take comfort that even if it's not the traditional fingering, it's still ok as long as it sounds right. I know, we're supposed to be drilled with the basics and getting that right first. But I guess, if we're playing in a band and funky chord's the way to go, I'm all for funky chords!