octave playing technique

[shoshin]

Hi. I have a question about playing a series of octaves and fingerings.

Lets say I have to play the following octaves one after another:

A4--A5
C4--C5
B4--B5

Do i use the fingering 1,4  then 1,5 then 1,4? I can reach a octave with 1,4 fingering no problem. What is the general rule for this? Note: i saw this kindof fingering in a piece and now with a new piece that didn't have any fingering I was wondering if this was the way to go.

Thanks in advance.

[steve jones]

I tend to use the same fingering for all octaves. Iv experimented, but come to the conclusion that the ole 1-5 is the more comfortable.

[nicolaievich]

Same with me... using 1-4 usually produces more tension in the arm than the 1-5 does, at least in my case. I only use 1-4 if it is really necessary.

[Floristan]

I usually use 1-4 for black-key octaves and 1-5 for white-key octaves.

[steve jones]

OMG! How have I got 132 posts?

I only set up camp here a couple of weeks ago. Time for me to go out I think... 

[bearzinthehood]

The fingering you choose depends on the piece in question.  Is it supposed to be fast or slow, detached or legato?

[shoshin]

The fingering you choose depends on the piece in question.  Is it supposed to be fast or slow, detached or legato?

slow Legato

[bearzinthehood]

Then if you're comfortable with it, do the 1-4, 1-5, 1-4 I think.  1-3, 1-5, 1-4 might be possible too depending on your hand size, then you could do it in counter clockwise circles.

[thierry13]

I allways play 1-4 on black keys and 1-5 on white keys. Honestly, playing with 1-5 all the way doesn't affect my ability at all. It's a question of habit, i guess. Still I would get habituated to play 1-4 on black and 1-5 on white. I'm a key-racist, and the black keys doesnt owe my 5th finger    (kidding)

[bernhard]

OMG! How have I got 132 posts?

I only set up camp here a couple of weeks ago. Time for me to go out I think... 

Tell me about it.

1-5 - 99.9% of the time (and do not be afraid to use the pedal)

[thalbergmad]

I generally stick to 1-5 apart from Legato.

The Chopin Nocturne Op9 No1 is a good example where i would use 1-3 and 1-4.

[chopiabin]

I recently have been using 1-4, 1-5 on chromatic octaves (ie. first page of third ballade) with some success - it seems to be faster much of the time.