Musical fingering is not about following “the rules”, but about applying flexible principles…
Fingering Principle #1
Good fingering is easy fingering–both physically and mentally!
Fingering Principle #2
Choice of fingering should always be based on goals, not rules. Instead of asking “What is the “right” fingering for this passage?” Instead, ask “What fingering makes musical, physical, and logical sense for this passage?”
Fingering Principle #3
You never have to sacrifice physical ease for musical effect. In fact, physical ease and musical effect are inseparable. If it feels good, it will sound good and vice versa!
Fingering Principle #4
Your fingering should make musical, logical, physical sense. It should fit the contours of the music, be easy to remember, suit the anatomy of your hands, and not fight against the natural capabilities of your body.
Fingering Principle #5
Good fingerings are not found by thinking “one note at a time”. Playing is a dynamic, not static, process, where you are always preparing for what comes next. Easy fingerings fit the ebbs, flows, and contours of whole musical phrases, not just individual notes.
Fingering Principle #6
Piano playing should never hurt or feel tense. Any uncomfortable or awkward stretching or scrunching of the hand is a symptom that the fingering is flawed or some other aspect of your technique needs more study.
Fingering Principle #7
Don’t be afraid to use the entire length of the key. In other words, don’t just play the part of the key that is closest to you. Playing farther away can do wonders for freeing your technique and opening up your fingering options.
Fingering Principle #8
The fingering should not confuse your sense of where your body is in relation to the piano. If your fingering causes you to feel unsure of where the keys are, your fingering may be flawed or some other aspect of your technique needs more study.
Fingering Principle #9
Your choice of fingering and the choreography that you adopt mutually influence each other. The solution to a technical problem invites experimenting with both of them.
Fingering Principle #10
Good fingering and good technique are inseparable, but “good fingering” is so much more than just knowing which finger goes on which key. If you want to take your playing to the next level, you must also consider where and how your fingers make contact with the keys.
Fingering Principle #11
Musical fingering is only one of many aspects of musical piano technique. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that good fingering coupled with finger training will solve all your technical problems. Fluid piano technique rests on a foundation of full body choreography!
learn more… Fingering Numbers
Leave a Reply