Correct Fingering For Playing The Piano
I often notice students using awkward fingering when playing piano.Over the past few years, I received many emails inquiring about correct fingering for playing the piano
There is no doubt in my mind this is a topic that interests many beginners and intermediate piano players.
Believe it or not, this is a rather controversial topic.
There are people who strongly believe in proper fingering for piano pieces. There are also those who are firm believers in free-style fingering.
Let me share with you my own perspective on this topic.
Though the length of fingers differ from person to person, we all have thumbs that are shorter than the rest of our fingers.
As a rule (or rule of thumb), the thumb is the strongest finger of all. Thumb, index finger (2nd), and long finger (3rd) are the most used fingers for piano playing. The fourth finger and fifth finger are weaker fingers.
Below are four fingering tips that I have worked up as general rules for your use and information:
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.
Thumbs are not meant to be used for black key because of its length.The most used fingers for black notes are the 2nd and the 3rd fingers.If you are playing certain scales that start with a black key such as Bb major, Eb major, Ab major, etc. You will use 2nd or 3rd finger to play the first scale note instead of the thumb.
2. When playing melody with the right hand, if there are keys that are out of reach, you may move the hand to play the note. If the key is only a couple steps down from the thumb, you may use the thumb as an anchor and cross the second finger over to reach the note on the left side of the thumb. You do not need to move the hand. Only 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. Same rule applies to 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 important point: The function of good fingering is to ensure smoothness of musical passages.
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.
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,…..
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New Age Piano Scores
New Age Piano has recently become a very popular subject in the music world. People have increasingly been searching for sites that give out free New Age piano scores. Why has this type of music grown so much in popularity? Why is New Age music so popular today?
New Age is soft and peaceful music that promotes feelings of relaxation. This music is also known to enhance positive feelings. In this day and age, many people are looking for an escape – and New Age music is the perfect way to achieve it. This type is music is frequently used in stress management positions, such as Yoga, massage therapy, and meditation. It creates a tranquil environment, and often includes sounds of nature such as water flowing, birds chirping, or waves crashing. The melodies are often very repetitive to give a mesmerizing and soothing feeling. Songs that drag on for over half an hour are very common.
New Age style music is as much enjoyable to play on the piano as it is to listen to it. It will put you in a hypnotic state, even as you are focusing on playing it correctly. There are many sites dedicated to New Age Piano Scores, and below we have included a few sites that we find very beneficial for piano players interested in this subject.
When I play new age music does not mean I belong to the new age movement. In fact this type of music can also be referred to the contemporary classical music. They are very beautiful and relaxing to listen to.
You can download some of my new age piano scores.
Here is a relaxing new age piano music:
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Piano Playing Techniques
I recently came across a video of a pianist who was improvising
on the Oprah Winfrey show. I think you should take a look at the
video.
What was interesting about this video was Oprah’s comment -
she said, “Improvisation is a gift.”
I don’t know what you think about this comment, but I certainly do
not agree with it. I have realized, through my own piano playing
and teaching, that improvisation can be cultivated and developed
over a period of time. In fact, I receive emails from many of you
telling me how much your improvisational techniques have
improved after taking our piano course on improvisation.
Head over to watch this video now.
You will see that she improvised beautifully. It certainly took her
many years to develop the kinds of styles and techniques that
allow her to do so effortlessly, but, it was a skill she developed
through practice and not a gift she was born with.
The fact is you too can become a great improviser with practice
and the right learning tools – The Definitive Piano Improvisation
Home Study Course (http://www.playpianotips.com/DVD) is one of
those tools.
Remember–you must also practice, applying the knowledge you
acquire from the course is the secret to mastering your new
found skills.
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