Fingering

[i_m_robot]

Okay

just got a book of scarlatti sonatas

the problem:

no fingering at all

this would be nothig if self was a veteran player

but selfs just a beginner

any tips on fingerings these things

or fingering in general

any rules or logic to follow

anything

would be most greatly appreciated

oh and any suggestion on sonatas to play - the books from k 232 to 444 with many missing in between (they shoved selfs fav. 239 in another book )

[i_m_robot]

hahhahahaha

did some drudging for suggestions

all the suggestion were in other books

apparently numerial order had no meaning to the publishers

--------------------------------------------------

so anyone have any info on fingering

[bernhard]

Given the enormous wealth of musical ideas and the great variety of technical requirements of Scarlatti sonatas, it is very difficult to tell you in general which fingering to use.

For general principles of fingering. Look here:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2458.msg21365.html#msg21365
(Mental practice – tips for fingering)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2749.msg23873.html#msg23873
(self-teaching – the pitfalls. Analogy of frying an egg - principles of fingering)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4123.msg37829.html#msg37829
(How to investigate the best movement pattern: Example Scarlatti sonata K70 – How to work out the best fingering. Example: CPE Bach Allegro in A – Slow x slow motion practice – HS x HT – practising for only 5 – 10 minutes)

For some practical applications of these principles, look here:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4957.msg47444.html#msg47444
(Chopin Op. 10  no. 9 – discussion of fingering and description of movement)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5090.msg48850.html#msg48850
(How to  figure out fingering for Chopin Op. 25 no. 11)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3267.msg28857.html#msg28857
(Chopin Op. 9 no.2 – fingering and LH movement)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5055.msg48120.html#msg48120
(fingering for Bach’s sinfonia no. 9)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5354.msg50995.html#msg50995
(fingering for Arietta)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2619.msg22756.html#msg22756
(unorthodox fingering for all major and minor scales plus an explanation)

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,2619.msg104249.html#msg104249
(Scaled fingering must be modified according to the piece – Godard op. 149 no.5 – yet another example of the folly of technical exercises)


For suggestions of Scarlatti sonatas to learn, look here:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2339.msg20064.html#msg20064
(favourite sonatas).

For midis/mp3 look here:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,11466.0.html

Once you have selected a sonata, come back again and ask about the passages you seem to be having trouble fingering.

Remember:

1. The pragmatical approach (solving one problem at a time) always works . The logical approach (trying to get the big picture) rarely (if ever) does .

2. The more specific is you r question, the more helpful the answer will prove to be.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[jim_24601]

Haha, I read the original post and thought "He has invoked the dread name of Scarlatti. In a moment Bernhard will appear in a puff of smoke and a tinkling of ivories." And it was so!

I too am beginning a study of Scarlatti. I have been listening to Mikhail Pletnev's double disc recording on Virgin, which is wonderful, and just picked up a set of 50 sonatas - unfortunately the highest numbered is K159 so I can't make any recommendations to i_m_robot, but the compiler seems to have similar tastes to Bernhard since many of his favourites mentioned in other posts are there.

I have one specific fingering question, in regard to the repeated notes in K141 in d. My edition has the suggested (I am taking it as suggested, anyway) fingering 432121, which is workable at a respectable speed but seems to me rather inefficient. I tried 222222 / 333333 / 444444, which is also workable, although I generally avoid using the same finger on repeated notes where possible. 322222 / 433333 or something similar appeals somewhat as a compromise. May I seek the opinion of a Scarlatti expert as to which is preferable in the long run?