Is fingering really that important?

[jenius_92000]

I was inspired to pose this question by my music teacher, who always wants to nag me whenever I use my own fingering rather than the one she prefers (she's always choosing what suits HER!). She nags regardless of whether I play the piece as it should sound or not. So is it really all that important?

[gylfih]

I don't think so. The fingering that's given on music (at least on classical music) changes with every edition, so it's obviously up to the editor what fingering should be used. So, it's just preference. I almost never look at fingering on a piece of music, just play what feels right instead.

[Grey Loki]

I don't think so. The fingering that's given on music (at least on classical music) changes with every edition, so it's obviously up to the editor what fingering should be used. So, it's just preference. I almost never look at fingering on a piece of music, just play what feels right instead.

This, basically.

However, it's worth noting that when you first start out, as your technique is growing, you may pick up fingerings that aren't the most efficient - when I was very young, I started playing triads with fingers 2, 3, and 4!

I now decide my own fingering for most pieces (which usually agrees with what's given on the music itself), but only because I have a fairly good grounding of technique to start with - something to look out for.

[normthesamurai]

When starting out its a good idea to follow what the teacher reckons is the best fingering otherwise you will probably end up learning some bad techniques which will really hamper your learning of more technical pieces in the future. But once you get comfortable with playing using correct technique its good to experiment as much as possible because every fingering you can do can add something different to the music. No matter how much Hanon you do, your fingers are still going to be unique. For example sometimes you may want the speed of playing a section with one fingering but, another fingering might add more emphasis to the rhythm, or have a different flow. Its all down to experimenting and finding the most expressive way of playing the tune.

Having said that, if the fingerings have been marked or suggested to you, it's best to use that as a starting point

[osiris]

I do agree with what some of you have said about finding your own way round the keys and not always following what may be down on the score.

However, I do think fingering is highly important. Cause if you're soloing really fast, and you have had no training on correct ways to finger... then you'll probably just mess up. or cross over wrong. So it is important in the early stages of learning. so that you can be aware of how it helps your hands flow from note to note. But the better you get, the more automatic it becomes. and you eventually dont really think about it. you just do it.

[Mush]

Sometimes in an odd run, adding a 1 to indicate where you need to cross is good. For those times where you would get hosed if you use regular scale fingerings or what is intuitive.

[jenius_92000]

Thanks for all the advice, but let me put it like this: I'm preparing for a Grade 7 exam. Would that make any difference?

[Grey Loki]

A Grade 7 exam would have the examiners paying attention to your technique, which in most cases I would take to mean 'how closely your fingering matches that given on the sheet' - i'd say that your fingering (and by extension, your technique) would be quite important.

However, i've never sat even a Grade 1 exam in my life, so perhaps someone with better experience can give their advice as well ;)

[RAN7ARAVE]

Thanks for all the advice, but let me put it like this: I'm preparing for a Grade 7 exam. Would that make any difference?

jeez i hate piano exams

i always rush and screw up my music

but yeah i always go by the written fingering on peices even when i am reading Songs out of the keyboard anthology

They are SUPER helpful

[osiris]

Thanks for all the advice, but let me put it like this: I'm preparing for a Grade 7 exam. Would that make any difference?


My piano teacher told me that if in an exam you played a scale fluently but only using your index finger. you could still get full marks. but im guessing thats only applicable for the lower grades. for grade 7 I would stick strictly to whats on the score.

cause they suggest certain fingering for a reason. so chances are you'll benefit from sticking to it.