What to Do When Your Fingers Won’t Listen
Sometimes, my fingers follow the notes but don’t seem to end up at the right places–they cross over and jump around all over the place and it just doesn’t feel right. How do I find the correct fingering so playing is easier (and I play the right way)?
- Vivianne
Hey Vivianne– sounds like your fingers are out of control!
This is common; we just need to roll it around a little, so hang on tight.
It’s great that you’re stepping up and admitting that this is something you’re struggling with.
Most people would just stumble over the same thing over and over again (ahem).
I’m going to show you how to make it work with something that stumped me while ago.
It works with any type of piece. :)
1 – Mark it Up
Let’s look at what you’re playing, one hand at a time.
In pencil, mark down where you’re having the most trouble.
How does the music flow? Are there jumps?
Does it remind you of anything else you’ve played? (For example, scales, arpeggios, Hanon, or even a different piece.)
If yes, then use as much of that fingering as possible.
This is an actual photo of my Un Sospiro (Liszt) score.
(Here’s a video of Hamelin playing, this photo is at about 2:54)
I try to use pencil for smaller, non-permanent things, unless it’s a huge issue that hasn’t been fixed for a while.
The colour on the top outlines the melody in the left hand, which is permanent.
(The chunked bits– more on that later– and the little C fish that I drew, in the left corner, are still there!)
The first thing I think when I see this: it’s very chromatic. And dang it looks like a web. A Presto web.
Why not use chromatic scale fingering?
This edition gives you the fingering, which is like the chromatic scale fingering anyways… why not use it?
Side note: I recommend this edition of Un Sospiro because the fingering is workable all the way; believe me, it’s a pain when you have to invent your own fingering on a piece like this.
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