Alternating Fingering Question

[dmauney]

Hi,

I am working on "Franklyn (From Wonderland)" by Michael Nyman at the moment and was wondering about alternating fingering.

It seems like I have read that I should use alternate fingers perhaps when there are (as in this piece) 8 repeating notes (over 4 repeating chords).

Is that the case?  If so, is it to prevent fatigue?  I don't expect fatigue to be an issue in this case...  Or is it for better sound?  Or is it just a technique that should be done in general so it becomes habit? 

The right hand does an upward progression for 8 notes of D, then A, then D, then A, then begins a (mainly) downward progression if that matters any.

Thanks in advance!

[chopin2015]

I'm not in the mood to think about it too hard. But I will say this: Different fingerings really do create s different sound or texture. Like, when the wrong fingering is slowing you down, that is kind of where the question of what fingering to use begins. There are probably always multiple usable fingerings, but one is going to get the sound you want than the other. I think you need to experience this.

[dmauney]

Thanks, chopin2015.

Just to clarify, I am questioning if/why I should not use the same finger on the first note (8 times) and use the same finger (not necessarily the same one used for the prior note, of course) 8 times on the next note.  These are eighth notes, (8 repeated RH/Treble notes per measure in 4/4 time).  My thought was it had more to do with avoiding injury than an improvement in tone or fluidity, but I also thought it might be to aid in fluidity and movement up and down the keyboard.  Of course, I expressed skepticism about this piece causing any fatigue but my right hand actually started hurting pretty bad soon after I played through the first 8 measures a number of times so I had to switch gears and do more LH work on the chords and play some other pieces to rest the RH.  I certainly agree that proper fingering will result in better tone and more fluid motion.  But it always seemed odd to me to switch fingers repeatedly when playing a single note, unless it was specifically to position the hand further to the left or right to get in position for the next sequence of notes, or maybe to avoid overuse of the same muscles or something.

Maybe all of the above are valid reasons?  I am hoping for someone to confirm or refute the "avoid injury" rationale.  Or maybe I am totally off base and using different fingers for each sounding of the same note is not even recommended....

Thanks!

[nystul]

Alternating fingerings are more efficient for fast repetitions.  It doesn't make sense at first, but you can play several repeated notes with one wrist motion.  For slower repetitions this issue may not be so important.