All Questions
109 questions
29
votes
7
answers
13k
views
Which fingering to use when playing the same piano key twice in a row?
I just started to learn piano, and I notice that practice sheet music for beginners sometimes specifies for all or some keys which fingers should hit them. It seems that some authors consistently ...
- 425
20
votes
6
answers
9k
views
The same note on two staves
On rare occasions, I encounter the same note on two staves with overlapping durations. Attached is an example from an arragement of "The Long and Winding Road" by The Beatles (The note in ...
- 6,702
17
votes
10
answers
15k
views
Should I lift my finger before I hit a key when playing a piano?
I've noticed, that many people are hitting keys, instead of just pressing them. It kinda looks like that before they press the note, they lift the finger a little bit, same as if you tried to hit a ...
- 413
15
votes
7
answers
7k
views
Where should I press white keys - between black keys or below them?
I've been learning to play piano for couple of weeks, and I've faced a question that has some controversial answers on the internet:
What is the correct position of 2-3-4 fingers on white keys (WK) ...
- 347
15
votes
4
answers
13k
views
How deep should the fingers sit when pressing piano keys?
When pressing piano keys, how deep should the fingertips sit? Well between the black keys (if I'm playing the white ones), or closer to edge of the key?
I have seen both practices on videos, ...
12
votes
7
answers
5k
views
What is the proper way to play A-Flat scales on piano?
Consider four cases:
A-flat major
A-flat (natural) minor
A-flat melodic minor
A-flat harmonic minor
I start them with the third finger on the A-flat key (both hands), but I have no idea how a ...
- 259
12
votes
4
answers
8k
views
Right-hand fingering for D7/F♯
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,...
- 6,738
12
votes
2
answers
4k
views
How do you play a grace note tied to the same principal note?
I'm a bit confused as to how to play a particular series of grace notes in two pieces: Schubert's Moment Musicaux No. 3 and Debussy's Menuet. Here are the measures for reference:
In both examples, ...
11
votes
5
answers
6k
views
Logical way to learn movable scales on guitar?
After learning the CAGED 'open string' scales, what scales to do next? In what order or what way? When I learn a new scale, it seems to have the effect of displacing my ability to play other scales ...
- 1,754
10
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Why should I alternate fingers in this piece?
I very recently started learning classical guitar and I have some questions.
I am trying to play following piece:
In the second-to-last measure of the second row, my fingers on the strings alternate ...
- 235
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How to play repeating notes quickly in the left hand on the piano
I've been working on Fur Elise, and I came to one section repeating a single note staccato in the bass.
How do I play this? I've tried playing it normally, but I can't sustain it for more than a ...
- 7,500
8
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Are 4 part chorales supposed to be played on piano using 2 voices for each hand?
Sometimes the bass and tenor have a 10th or 12th interval so obviously I cant reach that with one hand on some chords but is the general way to play a chorale on piano using two notes per hand? Most ...
user35708
8
votes
4
answers
1k
views
How to play two voices with a large range in the same hand?
My copy of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah includes the following measures:
I don't know how to play the left hand. My problem is that I cannot reach from F2 to A3 (in the first bar, others ...
- 1,011
8
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Left hand Finger Technique
Say, I want to play note G on 1st string 3rd Fret ,i would play as below ( With my Index,Middle and Pinky close to the Fret and not as far away as shown in the pic)
But, while tuning my Guitar i ...
- 133
8
votes
5
answers
12k
views
Tips playing F barre chord
Any tips for a newbie in playing the F barre chord.
I find it very hard to put my fingers in place. I've got a strat.
I hear you can move it up and down the neck for other barre chords.
TeaDrinkingGeek
8
votes
7
answers
6k
views
The "right" way to use my pinky.
Ever since I've been playing, I've always fretted a B chord like this:
Using my pinky to cover the D, G, & B string. However, while it works, it's never felt quite right. I've tried to use three ...
- 233
8
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Double thirds, fourths, fifths and sixths piano fingering?
I have absolutely no idea how to finger things like this. I don't really know what sort of guidelines to follow or what books to practice that combine double thirds, fourths and fifths consecutively ...
- 93
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Western vs Indian Carnatic style of violin playing
I am a trained Indian Carnatic style violin player. Can I play Western songs on a violin with carnatic fingering techniques or do I need to re-learn everything to adopt to the Western style?
- 413
8
votes
3
answers
20k
views
Piano scale and arpeggio fingering technique: Thumb Under vs Thumb Over methods
Let's first define the methods:
Thumb Under (TU): the thumb is brought under the hand in order to pass the 3rd or 4th finger for playing the scale. The thumb has movement up and down (to play the key)...
- 16.4k
8
votes
4
answers
1k
views
How to quickly play octaves with one hand (piano)?
In some songs there are portions where the melody is made of pairs of notes, where the pair spans a whole octave. Sometimes the melody is played pretty quickly. I'm wondering if there's some technique ...
7
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Is this an acceptable fingering of a G Chord?
I'm trying out the CAGED method, and whenever I use the G Form, either my pinky can't keep enough pressure on the High E string, or my ring finger lies so flat that it mutes the A string.
By curling ...
Joe
7
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Violin - How would you play vibrato on an open string?
I was learning vibrato on the violin, and came across this video. In this video, it tells you that vibrato is just a fast slur. Using that method, how would you play vibrato on an open string?
- 2,222
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
On a saxophone, what is the difference between an overtone and an altissimo ?
I know about true or false harmonics tones on various instruments but I do not understand what an altissimo is. Just very high notes? Can you produce them on every kind of saxophone? Can you play a ...
- 8,834
7
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Daughter tends to raise index and middle finger whenever she plays the remaining fingers on piano
My daughter tends to automatically raise her index and sometimes middle finger whenever she plays the ring or pinky on the piano. It's almost like she is trying to use it to balance her hand/fingers. ...
- 79
7
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is it ever proper to slip fingers down from black to white keys on a keyboard?
Here's a sample that I already posted re: fingering.
The last four chords could be played with 1-3 slipping down from F#/A# to G/B and then hitting the A/C with fingers 2-4, etc.
Would it ever make ...
- 187
7
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What's the correct fingering for a three string power chord on guitar?
Should you "barre" fingers 1 and 3, so 1 covers the lowest pitch note and 3 covers the higher 2, or should you use 1, 3, and 4 to play them?
- 2,269
7
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How would you train for Chopin's Étude op. 10 no. 2?
This Étude is really painful for the right hand. Difficulty comes from medius, ring and little fingers playing chromatic scales while thumb and index fingers punctuate.
The thumb cannot be used as a ...
- 779
7
votes
1
answer
99
views
Alternative fingering for high B-flat to D, on the oboe
Does anybody know of an alternative way to finger high B-flat to D on the oboe?
In Malcom Arnold's Divertimento for Flute, Oboe, and Clarinet, there is a vivace 16th note section alternating between B-...
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Fingering indication for double glissando (Ravel, Alborada del Gracioso)
In this piece, fourth of the five Images Miroirs by Maurice Ravel, there are three “double glissandi”, ascending then descending, over white keys of the piano. One of them uses a fourth interval, the ...
- 779
6
votes
4
answers
364
views
What is the proper way to play this chord?
I have been playing for a while, but for some reason, I still can't play this 5th chord cleanly without that center note. Even with muting it just doesn't sound clean.
Here's what I mean:
%X/X.5/o....
- 69
6
votes
2
answers
187
views
Should I bother to learn the correct fingering or transpositions by default when playing a second instrument?
I have been playing the Soprano recorder for some time now, and also the Alto for a while as well.
The thing is, I never bothered learning the correct fingering for the Alto. That is, the fingering ...
- 61
6
votes
2
answers
779
views
How to do apoyando in Romance de Amor?
I am trying to play Romance de Amor, sometimes attributed to Vincente Gomez.
I have heard someone recommend using apoyando (rest stroke) for playing the melody (on first string) - since the beginning ...
- 2,635
6
votes
1
answer
291
views
With which part of my pinkie should I hit the piano keys?
I've recently started learning Chopin's Fantaisie – Impromptu in C# minor for piano on my own.
The left hand nearly always plays the same pattern, with the pinky hitting the lowest tone. The pattern (...
- 61
6
votes
3
answers
263
views
How or What to Practice to Get Consistent?
This might seem like a strange question. I've read a lot of books about deliberate practice and the history of music pedagogy, and I'm still a bit puzzled by this:
How do I get more consistent?
For ...
- 61
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Proper repeated note fingering on piano?
Is there a proper fingering for playing a fast repeated notes on the piano? I understand that using multiple fingers to play to the repeated note is the best way to go but does it matter which ...
- 485
6
votes
1
answer
187
views
Is it safe to use thumb position in lower positions on cello?
A piece I've been playing has a notation to use the thumb in 2nd position on cello (with thumb on the D-string F# specifically, where first finger would go in normal 2nd position). I tried it out but ...
- 61
5
votes
4
answers
21k
views
Do I have a problem in my ring finger?
I play piano, guitar violin and other instruments.
I have a little weakness in my ring finger, especially the left one.
Instrumently-agnostic speaking, to reproduce what I'm talking, place your left ...
- 2,013
5
votes
4
answers
816
views
Is the following non-standard fingering for an A shaped barre chord still technically sound?
Having slowly come to grips with E shape barre chords I'm now grappling with A shaped ones. The two popular fingerings I have seen involve one finger each on the 2, 3, 4 strings or alternatively ...
- 699
5
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Why play a B chord on piano with this fingering?
I am taking piano lessons, and my teacher has taught me the scales and chords/arpeggios for the keys of C, G, D, A, and E. So far, the fingerings for the chords of each key have been the same- ...
- 163
5
votes
3
answers
312
views
Where do you place your pinky when playing recorder?
do you place your free pinky of your left hand underneath as a support or do you let in hang free?
- 51
5
votes
6
answers
488
views
Zedd - Spectrum arpeggio fingering help?
I am having real trouble working out the optimal fingering for an arpeggio in this piano piece:
(Note that lower G should be on the right hand stave. The piece is 104 bpm)
I have tried a few ...
- 233
5
votes
2
answers
566
views
Violin - Slurring double stops
I was reading some violin sheet music when I came across something that looked like a slurred double stop. Here is an image:
The problem is that both double stops use the same fingers, but on ...
- 2,222
5
votes
3
answers
618
views
Fingerstyle guitar - how to play this arpeggio?
Too many notes, not enough fingers! How can I keep bass note while playing this arpeggio? ? shows the fret I cannot reach because I use index finger to play bass note. I have tried to barre index ...
- 879
5
votes
1
answer
167
views
Granados' Goyescas finger wide chords
I'm learning the "el Fango del Candil" by E. Granados and I am struggling with the following two parts:
Measure 9
Measures 22-23
For the first one: how can I make the three chords so ...
- 153
5
votes
4
answers
310
views
How to perform quicker shifts? (Prokofiev Visions Fugitives #2)
The passage of interest:
This is specifically pertaining to the right hand, and the tempo I am provided is quarter note = 60-66. The fingering I am using is, starting with the C:
3-5 3 2 1 3 1 | 3 2 ...
- 499
4
votes
4
answers
10k
views
Any tips for someone with short fat fingers trying to play guitar?
Any tips for someone with short fat fingers trying to play guitar?
I find that when trying to play chords, I accidentally cover other strings.
Does anyone know of a way to solve or work around this ...
TeaDrinkingGeek
4
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Fingering for Bach's Toccata in E-minor BWV914
I am currently learning the Fugue of Bach's "Toccata in E-minor BWV914". My question is if I should play the first bar with the 5th finger or not. Meaning starting with "545 3423 1". I feel more ...
- 709
4
votes
3
answers
516
views
Violin left-hand thumb position
Adult self-taught violinist here. I've been learning for about three years.
I've developed a habit of allowing the left-hand thumb to protrude rather high above the fingerboard, so that the neck of ...
- 141
4
votes
3
answers
825
views
Use of 3rd or 4th finger for bends
My son has two guitar teachers that disagree on something. I'd like to know your opinion to help my son make a decision which way to go.
On rock songs on the electric guitar, when your hand is in a ...
- 141
4
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Song recommendations for a self-taught pianist
So as you could see from the title, I learn the piano by myself? Why? A teacher is much more effective, right? Well, that is true, however; I do not have the money for a teacher, and this way, it is ...
- 295