Are you planning to learn how to play the piano on your own, but don't know how to place your fingers on the keyboard? This article will give you the information you need to do it correctly.
Steps
Step 1. Memorize the finger numbering system
Fingers are numbered to make it easier to note their position on a score. Plus, it also helps you learn how to place your fingers on the keys correctly. The numbers are the same for the right as for the left. The numbering is as follows:
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The Thumb is number 1.
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L' Index is number 2.
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The Medium is number 3.
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L' Annular is number 4.
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The Little finger is number 5.
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Method 1 of 3: Right Hand Placement
Step 1. Start with middle C
Step 2. Place finger # 1 on middle C
Step 3. Place finger # 2 on D, # 3 on E, # 4 on F, # 5 on G
Step 4. Play the notes C, D, E, F, G with your fingers positioned as indicated above
Step 5. Move finger # 1 to the right, passing it under the other fingers as soon as finger # 5 begins to lower to play G
Step 6. Run finger # 1 under # 5 to play the A
Step 7. Repeat the initial positioning on the right so that the n ° 2 finger goes to play the B, the n ° 3 the C5, the n ° 4 the D5, the n ° 5 the E5
Step 8. Repeat the pattern until you reach the end of the keyboard
Method 2 of 3: Left Hand Placement
Step 1. Start with middle C
Step 2. Place finger # 1 on middle C
Step 3. Put finger n ° 2 on B3, n ° 3 on A3, n ° 4 on G3, n ° 5 on F3
Step 4. Play the notes C, B3, A3, G3, F3 with your fingers positioned as indicated
Step 5. Move finger # 1 to the left, passing underneath the other fingers as finger # 5 begins to lower to play the F
Step 6. Swipe finger # 1 under # 5 to play E3
Step 7. Repeat the starting position on the left, making sure that finger n ° 2 plays D3, n ° 3 plays C3, n ° 4 plays B2 and n ° 5 plays A2
Step 8. Repeat the pattern until you reach the end of the keyboard
Method 3 of 3: Run the Stairs
Step 1. In general, the # 5 finger should only be used to start or finish a scale
In other words, you should cross finger # 1 by passing it under # 3 or # 4, but not under # 5.
Step 2. To perform a C scale with your right hand, you will play C, D and E with fingers n ° 1, n ° 2 and n ° 3 then, after passing the finger n ° 1 under the n ° 3, you will play the F, G, A and B with the fingers n ° 1, n ° 2, n ° 3, n ° 4 and n ° 5
Reverse the order of the fingers to perform the scale backwards. (Note how advantageous it is to finish the scale with finger No. 5).
Step 3. If you go up another octave, slide your finger n ° 1 underneath the n ° 4 passing from B to C to repeat the pattern while playing the next octave
Step 4. To perform an ascending scale with your left hand, swipe finger 3 over 1 from G to A
Going up an octave you will cross finger n ° 4 over n ° 1 passing from C to D. It would perhaps be more sensible to use the fingers symmetrically, but performing the ascending stairs with the right and the descending scales with the left is not contemplated by the norm (while starting with the 5th finger is absolutely acceptable).
Step 5. Crossing under fingers # 3 and # 4 (or over finger # 1) may not seem so important when playing the C scale, but its importance becomes clear when playing C other scales
Getting into the correct habit immediately becomes fundamental in this sense and pays off in the long run (many scales always start with finger 5 of the left hand and then end with finger 5 of the right hand).
