Is Correct Fingering Important for Playing the Piano?
I often notice students using awkward fingering when playing piano. There is no doubt in my mind this is a topic that interests many beginners and intermediate piano players.
Even though you may not think so, this is in fact a controversial topic.
Just as there are many who believe in free-style fingering, there are also many who advocate strict piano fingering.
Let me share with you my own perspective on this topic:
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.
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. Always avoid using your thumb to play a black key. The only exceptions are: a) if you’re playing a piece that only as black notes. b) When you need to play a group of keys where there are black and white. For example, your thumb will play Bb if your right hand is being used to play Bb, D, and F together in Bb major chord root position.
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. 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.
You’ll notice that as soon as the second finger has played the key, the thumb will automatically follow across to play the next note to the left of the key. The best way to familiarize yourself with regards to what finger should follow, is to practice the scale regularly.
3. Identical 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.
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 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.
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.
Bear in mind that if you become too critical with regards to your fingering, you’ll probably noticed that it will interfere with your musical line of thought, as well as the flow of the music. Piano playing can get rather complicated, particularly when you’re trying to balance both your hands while as the same time maintaining a steady rhythm. Also, you need to make sure you’re pressing the pedals at the correct time. Lastly but not least, listen to the music.