Something I've noticed on many occasions is the fact that so many students tend to use awkward fingering when they play the piano. Of course I don't for a minute doubt that this is something which interests many beginners as well as those in the intermediate range.
Believe it or not, this is a rather 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.
First of all, everyone has different fingers in terms of length, but one common factor is that our thumbs are shorter than our other fingers.
Additionally, the thumb is the strongest finger, and it's the thumb, together with the index finger and long finger which are the most used when playing the piano.
Below are four fingering tips that I have worked up as general rules for your use and information:
1. The thumb should never be used for playing a black key. The only exception to this rule is when you: a) Play a musical piece which only has black notes. b) When you play a piece where they are black and white keys.
The bottom line is; the thumb is not designed for playing black keys, simply because it's too short. Instead, it's the second and third fingers which should be used for playing black notes. In other words, if you find yourself playing a peace which starts with a black note such as Bb major for example, you should use your second or third finger rather than your thumb.
2. In the event that you're playing a piece with your right hand and you're in a situation where some of the keys are out of reach, you should simply move your hand so that you can play the note. Of course, if the desired key is only one or two steps down from your thumb, then you can use the thumb as an anchor while are you cross your second finger over to the note in question. In this case, it wouldn't be necessary to move to your hand, but instead, you simply move your 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. You should always make a point of trying to watch experienced players so that you can look at their fingering, and then you should try to imitate them. My personal advice would be for you to watch those who have experienced at playing classical music, simply because they've probably spent many years perfecting the different repertoires.
One very important factor regarding good fingering is that it helps to ensure smoothness while playing musical pieces.
This is especially important in the piano work of Bach (prelude, fugues, and others) and many Classical composers. Very often, a slight change in piano fingering could cause a disruption of the whole phrasing. For improvisational and accompaniment pieces, strict piano fingering becomes less critical. In fact, every time I improvise I use different fingering combination. This is because my mood and rhythm change when I improvise, this also affects the combination of fingers I use.
If you pay attention to musical pieces edited by different editors, you will notice a change of fingering as well. I have noticed that the same "Sonatina" piece composed by Clementi have different fingering suggestions under different editors. Some editors use the 2nd finger more often, while others choose the 3rd finger.
To end off: you can pay less attention to which finger you are using if you're improvising, providing you apply the rules which have been discussed above.
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, - 30455
Believe it or not, this is a rather 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.
First of all, everyone has different fingers in terms of length, but one common factor is that our thumbs are shorter than our other fingers.
Additionally, the thumb is the strongest finger, and it's the thumb, together with the index finger and long finger which are the most used when playing the piano.
Below are four fingering tips that I have worked up as general rules for your use and information:
1. The thumb should never be used for playing a black key. The only exception to this rule is when you: a) Play a musical piece which only has black notes. b) When you play a piece where they are black and white keys.
The bottom line is; the thumb is not designed for playing black keys, simply because it's too short. Instead, it's the second and third fingers which should be used for playing black notes. In other words, if you find yourself playing a peace which starts with a black note such as Bb major for example, you should use your second or third finger rather than your thumb.
2. In the event that you're playing a piece with your right hand and you're in a situation where some of the keys are out of reach, you should simply move your hand so that you can play the note. Of course, if the desired key is only one or two steps down from your thumb, then you can use the thumb as an anchor while are you cross your second finger over to the note in question. In this case, it wouldn't be necessary to move to your hand, but instead, you simply move your 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. You should always make a point of trying to watch experienced players so that you can look at their fingering, and then you should try to imitate them. My personal advice would be for you to watch those who have experienced at playing classical music, simply because they've probably spent many years perfecting the different repertoires.
One very important factor regarding good fingering is that it helps to ensure smoothness while playing musical pieces.
This is especially important in the piano work of Bach (prelude, fugues, and others) and many Classical composers. Very often, a slight change in piano fingering could cause a disruption of the whole phrasing. For improvisational and accompaniment pieces, strict piano fingering becomes less critical. In fact, every time I improvise I use different fingering combination. This is because my mood and rhythm change when I improvise, this also affects the combination of fingers I use.
If you pay attention to musical pieces edited by different editors, you will notice a change of fingering as well. I have noticed that the same "Sonatina" piece composed by Clementi have different fingering suggestions under different editors. Some editors use the 2nd finger more often, while others choose the 3rd finger.
To end off: you can pay less attention to which finger you are using if you're improvising, providing you apply the rules which have been discussed above.
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, - 30455
About the Author:
Learn more about piano fingering. Stop by Michelle Edward's site where you can find out all about how to play the piano and what it can do for you.
