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Free Piano Lesson - Fingering
Many beginning and intermediate piano students struggle with piano fingering. I often
seen students use awkward fingering when playing piano. Everyone's fingers are of different lengths. Thumbs are shorter than other fingers. As a
rule, the thumb is the strongest finger of all. The thumb, index finger (2nd), and middle finger (3rd)
are used the most for piano playing. The fourth finger is the weakest and least
used.
1. Never use the thumb to play a black key. The only exception is when you are playing a
piece that has all black notes. The thumb should not be used to play black keys because
of its shorter length. The fingers most used to play black notes are the 2nd and 3rd fingers.
2. When playing the melody with the right hand, and some keys are out of reach, you may
move the whole 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. Just move the
second finger over. Once the second finger plays the key, the thumb will
cross over to play the other note to the left of the key. Suggestion: practice the scale well to know
what finger to use (go to the scale drill lesson)
3. The same rule applies to the left hand.
4. Watch other experienced pianists whenever possible, look at their fingering and
imitate their movements.