The Pinkie Finger

[go12_3]

Now, I need to know about this.  Do the pinkie lay flat or arched as the keys are being striked?

I have some students that play with flat fingered pinkies and I show them how their pinkies suppose to look like.  But, they don't seem to get it.  Should I leave it alone until they progress some more and not make it a big issue?  Or address the pinkie each and every lesson?   

best wishes,

go12_3

[iroveashe]

I think any finger can be used flat or curved depending on the situation, like flat for black keys and curved for white keys, or depending how much you need to stretch the fingers for chords. I'm not a teacher, but I think anyone should be able to play both ways, yet I think it's best to learn the curved position first.

[quantum]

I think any finger can be used flat or curved depending on the situation, like flat for black keys and curved for white keys, or depending how much you need to stretch the fingers for chords. I'm not a teacher, but I think anyone should be able to play both ways, yet I think it's best to learn the curved position first.

I agree with this.

Just be diligent in making sure that a flat pinkie does not result in a collapsed or lopsided hand position.

[mcdiddy1]

NOOOOOOO lol

In the begining of instruction the student must have all the fingers curved. There are advance piece or specific technique such as Chopin and Liszt but vast amount of literature requires curved fingers. Don't let them get away with it especially considering how much of the melody and base lines are often played with the pinky.