That darn middle finger

[pedro76]

Hi all.
I've been playing for some years, keeping myself to chords only. But now I've found out that I should learn to play properly with correct fingering.

One thing I'm struggeling with is that my middle finger and ringfinger feels too far apart :smile:. I think it's because the lower joint on my middle finger is too thick. This gives me a problem when for instance play the note F with my right middle finger and the next note is F# to be played with my right ring finger. I really have to struggle to do that unless I rotate my hand to the right.

Is it just me having this problem, or is there some technique I'm lacking?

Thanks.

[Christopher]

I think it really is your joint, sorry :frown: Mine's just as thin as my fingertip and I can play D->C# middle then ring finger without bigger problems
But how I think you could practice aiming(as I did unconsciously): Play a computer game on a normal keyboard(not Joypad or other controller) where you have to react really fast and keybind some of the more important functions in the game to keys right above keys you hit with your middle finger, for example walking forward(with middle finger) on h(<b >m vn) and then somethin on j, u or even z.
I've been playing a game for about 2 years now and my left hand is better in aiming than my right hand^^ I'd rather play octave or even bigger jumps left blindly than a melody in the right hand.

[Bigs]

It's all a matter of exercise. Start here for example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6OUC9x4dDY (though this dives in real fast, there's more explanation in the JROC).

[pedro76]

Thanks, I'll try and work around my limitations. Just wanted to know if there was anybody else having this kind of issues.

[Mike Lydian]

there is no "correct" fingering. its whatever gets the job done. if minor seconds are tough with that fingering then go third to fourth or bring the thumb under and do 1 -2.

note -if youre training to be a classical pianist then fingering does matter and you shouldn't listen to me :tongue:

[romanticshred]

Let me tell you my short story.

I was having serious problems with arpeggios and i could never get them up to speed.

http://www.amazon.com/Piano-Technique-Walter-Gieseking/dp/0486228673

Above link is to a piano technique book. It said to play arpeggios using 1,2,4 fingering instead of using the middle fingers. Playing arpeggios with middle finger causes tension and slow down in speed. I could play arpeggios satisfactorily after following the instructions of the book.

For me it worked.

[pedro76]

Thanks for all the tips :smile:

[lfg2000]

Thanks, I'll try and work around my limitations. Just wanted to know if there was anybody else having this kind of issues.

I have the same problem!!! my 3rd and 4th finger are so weak.... I need to get them stronger!

[Psy-Fi]

Then rotate it by all means! The notion that we play only with the fingers is so very wrong and widespread. Playing this way will create a lot of tension since your fingers are naturally bound. By distributing the weight of your arm through your finger you can get a lot of volume without stressing your fingers/arms.