Finger Leading

[rudyp]

Have someone ever heard about the technique of finger leading? It consist in before shifting positions stretching the fingers trying to reach as far as possible to be close as possible to the new keys to be played before shifting with the whole arm. For example, in Bach Minuet in G, on the 3rd bar you play c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 and then you have to shift to play g4 with the thumb. My teacher wants me to play the g5 and before shifting with the whole arm, straighten my thumb as close as possible to g4 and then shift. He says it gives better precision because of the precision of the fingers. HELP!!

[faulty_damper]

This really depends on how comfortable of a stretch it is.  If you are stretching beyond what what feels comfortable, then the excess strain is not worth it.  In fast pieces, such stretches would cause too much tension and lead to fatigue.

Shifting the arm is the superior technique if you have practiced it.  If you haven't, then you need to practice it.  This can be done away from the piano while you eat, watch TV, defecate, and lay in bed.  This will condition your muscles to make the movements when you are at the piano.  It's very easy to practice.  Just do it all the time while shopping for groceries, listening to a lecture, play chess... the list goes on.

[j_menz]

I haven't heard of the technique, so haven't answered earlier. I can't see how you can make the stretch without moving your arm, or why you would bother trying. If you do, you lose your place on the top G, and you have to do two seperate movements instead of one combined one.  As the fingers stretch, move your arm to accomodate.

I think I mostly agree with faulty, though I'm not entirely sure what he means.  My reservation on what he says: only practice in public if you don't mind being looked at funny. 

[hmpiano]

For example, in Bach Minuet in G, on the 3rd bar you play c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 and then you have to shift to play g4 with the thumb. My teacher wants me to play the g5 and before shifting with the whole arm, straighten my thumb as close as possible to g4 and then shift. He says it gives better precision because of the precision of the fingers. HELP!!

Your teacher's right.  Stretch with the thumb and after shift position.  Bach is all about reaching for the notes.  By the way the Minuet is by Petzolt.

[faulty_damper]

My own technique for the specific passage is to stretch and shift simultaneously.  It's VERY awkward to stretch before shifting; the movements is too inefficient.

At this point, I have to say that the problem isn't the technique.  It's the description of the technique that is the problem because there is no way someone stretches and then shifts the forearm.  However, it is very easy to shift without stretching.

[hmpiano]

You stretch out as you play the top G then, as you play the bottom G you allow your hand to recover (go back to closed position).  At each step two things are achieved in one instance.

[nystul]

My own technique for the specific passage is to stretch and shift simultaneously.  It's VERY awkward to stretch before shifting; the movements is too inefficient.

At this point, I have to say that the problem isn't the technique.  It's the description of the technique that is the problem because there is no way someone stretches and then shifts the forearm.  However, it is very easy to shift without stretching.

I agree.  In the first place I would say "open the hand" or "spread the fingers" rather than just the thumb.  But in doing so you do in fact change hand positions and move the arm somewhat to the left.  Only the fifth finger is really remaining in the old position, I would think.