Jeux D'eau fingering question

[escape_velocity]

I've been working on this piece for a while now, and have gotten to the point where I can get through it from beginning to end all right, but there are a couple sections that I can't really seem to get under my fingers.  One in particular is the left hand in mm. 22-23, where I'm still trying to figure out the best fingering to use.

I've seen some references online that suggest doing each group of notes straight through, with no finger crossings (543212345).  This seems extremely awkward to me, especially because on some of the groups 4 and 3 are stuck in between some black keys in a tricky way.  I've tried crossing over 2 and 3 on a couple of the groups (541323145), and this feels a bit more natural to me, but when playing it at speed it starts to feel kind of fluttery and uneven.

Does anybody have any suggestions on this part?  Should I just buck up and do some more finger stretches, and get used to doing them all straight?  Or does some combination of crossings work better for those who have played this piece?  I'd love to hear any suggestions.

[bachbrahmsschubert]

I've been working on this piece for a while now, and have gotten to the point where I can get through it from beginning to end all right, but there are a couple sections that I can't really seem to get under my fingers.  One in particular is the left hand in mm. 22-23, where I'm still trying to figure out the best fingering to use.

I've seen some references online that suggest doing each group of notes straight through, with no finger crossings (543212345).  This seems extremely awkward to me, especially because on some of the groups 4 and 3 are stuck in between some black keys in a tricky way.  I've tried crossing over 2 and 3 on a couple of the groups (541323145), and this feels a bit more natural to me, but when playing it at speed it starts to feel kind of fluttery and uneven.

Does anybody have any suggestions on this part?  Should I just buck up and do some more finger stretches, and get used to doing them all straight?  Or does some combination of crossings work better for those who have played this piece?  I'd love to hear any suggestions.

I don't see how the fingering you selected would possibly work. You have to sustain the first note of each broken chord throughout the beat. Unless of course you're cheating and using the pedal to cover up your fingering issues! It's a descending legato bass line, you have to connect the notes with your fingers and not the pedal. If you can't physically do that you're either doing something wrong with your wrist/using your elbow and need help from a teacher or you're just not ready for the piece.

I see no other alternative than 54321. You may have to go back to very very slow practice. Make sure you're not sustaining notes with your 3 and 4 that should not be sustained; only your 5th finger should be held. That may be where your problem is.

Ah ha....now I see. Second beat of measure 23 seems to be your problem. Try 5-3-1-2-1. Notice the arpeggios in the first two beats of measure 23, the only note that changes is the A to G#, no movement with the hand is necessary. Let me know how that works for you.

Best wishes,