Having trouble with fingering?!

[roseamelia]

I'm terrible at fingering and need help. What would be some good stuff to practice on. my teacher is really trying to help me catch it but I just can't wrap it around my head I would love it if anyone has any suggestions thanks ;(

           Rose                                         

[ajspiano]

you will probably get better answers if you present a specific musical problem.

Even better, present the problem.. and try to solve it by suggesting a fingering and try to explain why it should be that way. That way someone can observe and point out the flaw in your thinking rather than just try and guess what you need, or have to give a long winded answer to such an large and open ended question as "can you please help with fingering?"

[roseamelia]

Well the chromatic scale is it when I'm supposed to cross 1 under 3 I always mess up and I have to start all over again I can never catch it. I end crossing 2 under 3 instead ???Hope I explained my situation better. Thanks

[ajspiano]

so your problem isnt knowing what fingers to use, its remembering to use them when playing..  completely different to how I initially perceived your problem.

I would suggest slowing down and thinking about every single note for a while. play each note, stop, decide exactly what you're going to do next, then do that, then stop.. repeat. This way you practice exactly the correct fingering and get it into your muscle memory. Do at least 20 correct repetitions of a small segment - maybe one ascending octave of chromatic scale. Then take a break from the piano for a little bit..  come back and try again - will take you several small practice sessions before you start to feel the effect.

your brain will begin to process the idea without you having to consciously think through it. Once this happens you can start to go faster.

[quantum]

For lengthy sequences of repetitive patterns (such as the chromatic scale you mention) the are occasions where one's fingers can get tied up.  In such cases I like to focus not on the repetitive pattern, but the exceptions to the pattern.  

Eg: If you are play the chromatic scale quickly 1313131313... can become a blur, so instead focus on the points of the scale where the pattern is broken by using finger 2.  These are far easier to keep track of than a slurry of 13131313.  So instead of thinking of the chromatic scale as a 1313 repetitive crossing, think of placing the exception 123 between the notes B-C and E-F.


Another useful point is to think in finger groupings.  It is much easier to keep track of small groups of finger sequences, than a long string of finger numbers.  One can usually create a group by collecting all the notes playable in a single hand position.  When one needs to shift to a new position, this starts a new fingering group.   

It is similar to how in counting by marking sticks on paper it is prefered to group in 5's.  ||||  ||||  |||| is preferable to |||||||||||||||.

[roseamelia]

Thanks guys you've been a big help, I'll do both of your Ideas. If anyone else has any other ideas I'd be glad to see them. Thanks again quantum and ajspiano. my problem might be solved

[roseamelia]

Thanks guys you've been a big help, I'll do both of your Ideas. If anyone else has any other ideas I'd be glad to see them. Thanks again quantum and ajspiano. Grin my problem might be solved Cheesy

[pianoyutube]

To memorize the fingering in a tricky passage I do this:
1-Isolate one to three bars  (or a few notes).
2-I try several fingerings in order to find the one is comfortable to me. I play with separate hands, first slowly and then fast.
3-When I have found the right fingering I repeat until I memorize it:  I just play it slowly once, fast twice. In a minute or two I've got it.

[roseamelia]

Oops I accidentally posted the same thing twice. Well today i'll have to try those finger patterns and see which one is best for me i'll give ya'll a report when I get back on the forum after I practice today. Thank's