Fretting Hand: Hand Moving or Finger Stretching?

[~M.o.M~]

Hello there!
After around 9 months of playing, I finally decided to take some lessons!

Well, after watching me play, my teacher showed me a technique where the fretting hand remains relaxed in it's natural position, and you just move your hand to reach the other frets, instead of stretching the fingers.

The thing is, I find it easier to play scales up the neck on the first frets with finger stretching, than moving my hand all the time to reach the frets. So, what's best?

For now, I'm gonna practice both stretching and his way.

[EDIT]
When I said up the neck, I meant on the first frets (where spacing is bigger).

[TFunkadelic]

What I found after playing for awhile (this may or may not be true for you) was that I had to use a combination of both to maintain the health of my hands. On the lower frets, I tend to shift my hand more than stretching my fingers because over time, the stretching wears my hand out. Higher up on the fret board this isn't a problem.

Certain lines lend themselves better to one or the other.

[Jim Breece]

The key here may be why your teacher showed you this after watching you play. What was his/her reason? I play one finger per fret, but there may be a good reason for you to try moving your hand more.

[~M.o.M~]

(A small edit: when I said up the neck, I meant the first "big" frets. I'll fix the first post)

Well, I guess he just wanted to check my progress after those months of self-teaching, so that he'll get an idea of what I've learned so far, and what bad habits do I have.
His technique is a very nice one, and relaxing too, but:

* It seems difficult to reduce the sound that my hand does when sliding on the strings.
* Fast passages seem very difficult due to continuous hand moving...
* ...which is often combined with wrong thumb placement.

Over than that, it would be awesome. I guess it's just myself wanting to stay to finger stretching than practicing enough.

[Sonicfrog]

If stretching to hit notes can be comfortable, try to learn it. One more tool in the shed, so to speak. It's not really an option for me though, as I have tiny little midget hands!!!!!

[mambo4]

Move your left hand. Your teacher is showing you this for a reason. Probably he is seeing too much tension and strain being put on your left hand, and probably the deadly bent wrist of CTS doom as well.

.Stretching to maintain 1 finger per fret is over rated, and unless you have large hands, those first 5 frets can kill you, and there is little practical advantage to it.

Your goal should be to play as relaxed as possible while still producing the tone you want. for your own sake, KEEP YOUR WRIST STRAIGHT

* It seems difficult to reduce the sound that my hand does when sliding on the strings.

reducing string squeak is just a matter of practice.

* Fast passages seem very difficult due to continuous hand moving...

It will only slow you down at first. I believe that a more comfortable technique leads to more fluidity and speed in the long run.

* ...which is often combined with wrong thumb placement.

keep your thumb centered on the neck, and use it as a pivot/ anchor when you move your left hand.

hope that makes sense