Correct Fingering For Playing The Piano
Feb 9, 2010 Blue Grass Music, Cajun Music, Clasical Music, Country Music, Easy Listining, Jazz Music, Modern Music, Music, New Age Music, Oldies, Pop Music, R&B Music, Rap Music, Rock Music
You wouldn’t believe how often I see students playing piano while using extremely awkward fingering, and I’m sure that this is something which interests beginners and intermediate players alike.
Even though you may not think so, this is in fact a controversial topic.
While many people believe that proper fingering is essential when playing the piano, others feel that free-style is better.
So, let me go ahead and discuss how I feel about this issue.
Even though the length of a person’s fingers differs from one person to the next, everyone’s thumbs are shorter than their other fingers.
Also, the thumb is usually the most powerful finger we have, followed by the index finger and middle finger, and it’s these three figures which are the most used when it comes to playing piano.
Here are some tips concerning fingering which you should certainly consider:
1. Never use the thumb to play a black key. The exceptions are a) when you are playing a piece that has all black notes. b) when you are playing a group of keys where there are black and white keys. For example if your right hand is to play Bb, D, and F together in Bb major chord root position,your thumb will play Bb (black note) in this case.
Because the thumbs are relatively short, they are simply not meant to be used for playing the black keys. As a general rule, it’s the second and third fingers which are used for playing black notes. If for example you are playing a piece that starts with a black key, you will use your second and third fingers to play the first note rather than the thumb.
2) If you’re playing a melody with your right hand and there are certain keys which are out of reach, then by all means, you can go ahead and move your hand to play the note. In fact, if the key is only a few steps down from the thumb, then you can use the thumb as an anchor well you cross the second finger over in order to reach the note on the left hand side of your thumb. Rather than moving your hand, you simply move the second finger over.
Once the second finger plays the key, the thumb will soon follow to cross over to play other note left of the key. Suggestion: practice the scale well to know what finger to follow.
3. This same rule applies to the left hand.
4. Watch other experienced pianists whenever possible, look at their fingering and imitate their movements. I suggest you watch those players who are well trained classically as they have spent many years going through the structured repertoire and virtuoso training that help built a firm foundation.
One very important factor regarding good fingering is that it helps to ensure smoothness while playing musical pieces.
If for example you want to play the work of Bach and other classical composers, then good fingering is crucial. In fact, even the slightest change in fingering can result in a complete disruption. On the other hand, strict fingering is less important for improvisational and accompaniment pieces.
You’ll also notice that musical pieces which have been edited by different editors tend to have changes in terms of fingering. For example, you’ll notice different fingering suggestions for the “Sonatina” piece composed by Clementi, depending on the different editors. While some prefer to use the second finger more often, others favor the third finger instead.
In conclusion: if you are improvising, pay less attention to which finger you are using. As long as you abide by the above rules and ensure a smooth flow of musical passage, you are fine.
If you get too critical about fingering, it distracts your musical thoughts and flow. After all, it is music that you are conveying. Piano playing gets rather complicated when you are trying to balance both hands, keep a steady tempo (rhythm), make sure the pedals are going in at the right time, listening to the music.
Tags: learn piano, piano fingering, play piano