Something I’ve noticed on many occasions is the fact that so many students tend to use awkward fingering when they play the piano. Of course I don’t for a minute doubt that this is something which interests many beginners as well as those in the intermediate range.

Believe it or not, this is a rather controversial topic.

While many people believe that proper fingering is essential when playing the piano, others feel that free-style is better.

Let me share with you my own perspective on this topic:

Though the length of fingers differ from person to person, we all have thumbs that are shorter than the rest of our 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. Never use the thumb to play a black key. The exceptions are a) when you are playing a piece that has all black notes. b) when you are playing a group of keys where there are black and white keys. For example if your right hand is to play Bb, D, and F together in Bb major chord root position,your thumb will play Bb (black note) in this case.

Thumbs are not meant to be used for black key because of its length.The most used fingers for black notes are the 2nd and the 3rd fingers. If you are playing certain scales that start with a black key such as Bb major, Eb major, Ab major, etc. You will use 2nd or 3rd finger to play the first scale note instead of the thumb.

2. In the event that you’re playing a piece with your right hand and you’re in a situation where some of the keys are out of reach, you should simply move your hand so that you can play the note. Of course, if the desired key is only one or two steps down from your thumb, then you can use the thumb as an anchor while are you cross your second finger over to the note in question. In this case, it wouldn’t be necessary to move to your hand, but instead, you simply move your 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.

Important note: The purpose of good fingering is to guarantee “smoothness” in musical passages.

When playing the work of Bach and that of other similar composers, this becomes especially important, in that disruptions can occur when there is even a slight change in fingering structure. Of course, if you’re only playing improvisational and accompaniment pieces then there’s less need for strict fingering. When I play improvisational pieces my fingering usually changes in line with my mood and the rhythm.

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.