Piano Fingerings
When you first start learning how to play the piano, finger choice may not seem important. But, as you progress to more complicated pieces, it becomes very important. Playing a note with the wrong finger makes movement difficult and can disrupt the rhythm, especially on more difficult pieces. So, let's take a look at the system of fingerings.
Some printed music will contain (number) markings that suggest which finger you should use to play a certain note. These markings are called fingerings, which simply means that a number is assigned to each of your fingers.
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THUMBS:
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1
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INDEX FINGERS: |
2
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MIDDLE FINGERS:
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3
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RING FINGERS:
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4
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LITTLE FINGERS:
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5
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Figure 1: Fingering for left and right hands.
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Notice that both hands, left and right, have the same numbers. The fingering system suggests the best way to play the notes and makes the piece easier to play.
Here's a popular and very easy example for you to try:
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Figure 2: Right hand fingerings for Beethoven's Ode to Joy.
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