Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, 3rd Movement

[pytheamateur]

I'm currently learning the notes for this movement.  I have a query about fingering for the broken chords:

Bar 3: G sharp major, first inversion and Bar 5: C sharp major, first inversion.

All the manuals I have suggest the fingering of 1-2-4-5.  I'm not finding it too comfortable as there seems to be too much of a stretch between the fourth and fifth finger.  It seems 1-2-3-5 might be better for now.

But I wouldn't want to commit to this fingering without good reason and am not sure if I should perservere with the standard fingering.  Does anyone use 1-2-3-5?  Can it be warranted?

[ajspiano]

I learnt them all as 1235 when I did it a long time ago - I now think 1245 for this particular inversion is much better.. 

You'll have to get used to placing larger gaps between your 4/5 (done the right way ofcourse) if you intend to progress - take a look at the fingering for the LH in chopins op10 no 9 for example..

[iratior]

I think that if you do 1235 too much, you run the risk of fatigue, doing something so repetitive.  It sounds as though it puts you at a disadvantage to have so little stretch between your fourth and fifth fingers;  what I try doing -- for example, in Chopin opus 10 no. 1, when confronted with what would ordinarily be very unpleasant 4th-to-5th finger stretches, is to refinger it so that the two notes before the stretch have the thumb crossing under the second, third, or fourth finger;  then you can do the stretch with 35 or 24 or 25.

[pytheamateur]

Thanks for your responses.  In that case, I will try and stick with 1-2-4-5. I can actually reach the notes and my hands are not small.  I think the problem may be the fingers are not trained enough and need strengthening.

[bachmaninoff]

The 1-2-4-5 fingering might feel awkward to you now, but as time goes by the piece will 'mature' in your fingers and so the notes will come more naturally to you the more you practice with this specific fingering. If you practice right, the 1-2-4-5 fingering won't feel so uncomfortable to you anymore. When you get to a stage where you can play the piece well at tempo, you'll be glad that you stuck to the fingering you chose in the begininng.