Thumb on the Black Key

[bnatural]

Just learning a simple Mozart piece.  The fingering that my teacher gave me has lots of thumb on the black key.

Is that unusual?

How often do you use thumb on the black keys?

[xvimbi]

I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with thumbs on black keys. Sometimes, there is just no other way. The concern is mainly that the thumb can't be controlled as accurately as the other fingers, and it is quite strong, so it may come out too loud. However, if you have good control, I don't see any reason not to use the thumb. The only exception is, if it misplaces the other fingers, so that the continuation is difficult.

[bnatural]

I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with thumbs on black keys. Sometimes, there is just no other way. The concern is mainly that the thumb can't be controlled as accurately as the other fingers, and it is quite strong, so it may come out too loud. However, if you have good control, I don't see any reason not to use the thumb. The only exception is, if it misplaces the other fingers, so that the continuation is difficult.

My teacher's rational is that all the keys using thumb are the accented notes in this piece

[super_ardua]

It is very usual to use a thumb on a black key.

[jbmajor]

It is very usual to use a thumb on a black key.

If you're talking about chords, especially larger ones, then I don't understand what the problem would be.  You need to use your thumb for large chords no matter what the root note is.

[rlefebvr]

That's basically and old classic wive's tale.  Older teachers taught you never to use a thumb on a black key.

Most people with a brain use what works. The only concern as stated above is to keep the sound even made harder by the use of the thumb.

[jlh]

I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with thumbs on black keys. Sometimes, there is just no other way. The concern is mainly that the thumb can't be controlled as accurately as the other fingers, and it is quite strong, so it may come out too loud. However, if you have good control, I don't see any reason not to use the thumb. The only exception is, if it misplaces the other fingers, so that the continuation is difficult.

My teacher's rational is that all the keys using thumb are the accented notes in this piece

Sometimes, intelligent use of the thumb on black keys will force you to make the section sound more like the instrument you're imitating, example: certain imstruments require more space between notes because of bowing, breaths, etc.  If the only concern is that the notes should be accented, I'd ask for a better justification than that.  Any finger is capable of accenting notes, not just the thumb.  When learning fingerings, there are some universal rules which should be followed, but beyond that it's really whatever works for you.  You should avoid playing a thumb on the black keys unless 1)it's a chord tone (played homophonically with other chord tones), or 2) special circumstances require it.   I know that doesn't help much, but since I don't know what specific piece you're talking about, that's all I've got.  Good luck!