I’m learning piano (for now) via self-study with Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course. The lesson on right-hand fingering for D7/F♯ recommends using 1–4–5 to play F♯–C–D. As I mention in another question, I’m having a hard time playing this fingering without flexing my wrist excessively.
Several people suggested that I’m striking the keys too near the end, but the problem is more that playing F♯ with my thumb puts my hand in an awkward position for striking the white keys with my fingers. There just isn’t enough room for my fingers unless I flex my wrist too much – the C♯ key gets in my way. I’ve heard that the thumb is poorly suited for striking the black keys, so why does the Alfred course recommend it? Should I play this chord 2–4–5 instead?
Here’s where my fingers naturally fall when I play the chord 1–4–5. It feels strange, there isn’t much room for my 4–5 fingers, and the leverage is poor on this keyboard, but if I try to strike the keys much lower, my hand or my arm gets sore.
A couple of people recommended 1–3–4 fingering. Here’s what that looks like when I play it. This does not feel awkward at all, but it's quite a tight fit for the 3 finger on C, so I’m not sure that I’m doing it right.