Fingering question

[bencuri]

Hi!

I have been learning a piece for a while now, in that the left hand must alternate between two minor 7th chords, Dm7 and Em7. From the very beginning I have been using the following fingering for these chords: 5-4-2-1 (left hand) 1-2-4-5 (right hand). However in some online tutorials it is suggested to use the 3rd fingers instead of 4ths to play such chords. Is my version a bad habit then, or I can keep on using it?

Here is a picture to make it clear what I am talking about (I hope you it will appear):

[bencuri]

It seems the image will appear when clicking on the attachment icon...

[xvimbi]

As a rule of thumb (!), use the fingering that feels most comfortable to you. Pay attention to what other people suggest, but do not take anything for granted. Instead, evaluate everything carefully and critically and then decide for yourself what suits you best.

[llamaman]

It depends on whether you want the stretch between fingers 4 and 5, or between 2 and 3.

For me 5-4-2-1 is more comfortable, but it depends on the individual pianist.

[bencuri]

Thank you for your suggestions! I was just a bit surprised when I checked out the Playpiano tutorial where I saw that most of the time the instructor uses his 3rd finger in those situations where I would use my 4th, and sometimes it results in odd shapes.

[lostinidlewonder]

If you are alternating between the Dm7 and Em7 then the fingers you have is the best and there is no question to it. Since the movement between these two chords has the lightest touch if you alternatre between the 3 and 4. 3 when you play the Em7's G and 4 when you play the Dm7's F as you have in the picture.

[bencuri]

Thank you for your suggestion! Changing between those two fingers is a good idea indeed. I have been trying to incorporate it into my fingering, and on this way I can play a bit more stressless as my fingers don't get tired too early like in case of using only one shape on and on.

If you don't mind guys, I would post a new picture as well.  It is another problematic shape for me recently. It is an extended chord, at least accoarding to my book, here a C major, where I play C-G-C. Recently I have learnt several pieces in which this is the main chord pattern, I mean that this tonic-dominant-tonic chord type. In most cases you have to play it in a way, that you sound every key in the chord one after another, but after you sounded a note you don't lift up your fingers from its corresponding key, and so all of the notes are kept ringing together for some time, for example until the next chord change. Having all three fingers streched out this way causes pain in my hand after a while. Do you think it is a feeling that will be gone after practicing more and more, i.e. I will get used to it, or for such extended chords I should use the pedal too keep the notes ringing together, and free up my hands from the stress whenever I can on this way?

Picture has been attached.

[xvimbi]

Having all three fingers streched out this way causes pain in my hand after a while. Do you think it is a feeling that will be gone after practicing more and more, i.e. I will get used to it, or for such extended chords I should use the pedal too keep the notes ringing together, and free up my hands from the stress whenever I can on this way?

You have large hands, so you shouldn't really have any problems with this chord. There are a couple of things I can say. First, you should play a lot deeper into the keys. Your thumb barely touches the C. As a consequence, your wrist is bent quite a bit, i.e. you are playing with thumb orientation. Thumb orientation causes a lot of problems in the hand, and that is what you may be experiencing. There are several ways to minimize this: a) moving the hand further in, as said above; b) sitting further back or leaning back; c) moving the elbow in; d) scooting up on your bench; e) a combination of a)-d)
Finally, stay in the keys only as long as you really have to. Relax your hand as soon as possible. Also, before you play the chord, when the hand comes down on it, it should stay relaxed as long as possible. Pre-form the chord in your fingers at the last moment, just when they touch the keys. If you are using the pedal, immediately lift your hand off the keys. There is no need to dwell in the keybed when the pedal is down.

Hope that helps.