Is Correct Fingering Important for Playing the Piano?
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.
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.
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 you will to find a 4 fingering tips which I have put together as general rules, and which you may want to take into consideration:
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. 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. Whenever you have an opportunity you should watch experienced players, and you should pay particular attention to their fingering. Ideally, you should try to watch those who have plenty of experience in playing classical music; because you can be rest assured that they’ve spent several years going through the necessary repertoires. Of course, you should also try to imitate their finger movements.
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.
You’ll also notice a change of fingering if you look at musical pieces which have been edited by different editors. For example, you’ll notice that fingering suggestions for the Sonatina piece composed by Clementi, can vary quite dramatically depending on the different editors.
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.