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Topic: Playing 1 key with 2 fingers  (Read 1048 times)

Offline 1piano4joe

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Playing 1 key with 2 fingers
on: February 23, 2014, 04:04:06 PM
Hi all,

This has come up, time and time again. I have used 7 different ways (that I can remember anyway) to handle this, depending on the situation. Are there anymore? Are these 7 commonly used? Are any considered bad habits? Please discuss when and why it is appropriate to use each one.

For example, a C major contrary motion scale where both thumbs start on middle c.

1. Use the R.H. only if it's more convenient
2. Use the L.H. only if it's more convenient
3. Right thumb in front of left if it's easier (like down in the bass region)
4. Left thumb in front of right if this is easier (like up in the upper register)
5. Right thumb on top of left thumb (sometimes intentionally, sometimes not)
6. Left thumb on top of right thumb (R.H. was easier or just faster to place in position)
7. Thumbs side by side (Seems okay for starting a scale but finishing a scale is more tricky)

Numbers 1 and 2 above I have used in pieces but I won't omit a finger for contrary motion scales.

Is playing my fingers on top of each other (numbers 5 and 6 above) considered bad technique and should I stop doing this or is this acceptable?

Number 7 (side by side) can be quite difficult on the thin black keys. I tried an F# major contrary motion scale with both index fingers starting on F# side by side. This side by side seems to require a more exact placement which may not be preferable (if not impossible) at speed.

Any tips, suggestions, additions or comments as alway, are greatly appreciated, Joe.

Offline joplinfreak

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Re: Playing 1 key with 2 fingers
Reply #1 on: February 23, 2014, 10:51:39 PM
Layman's terms please  ;). By the way I don't consider any of the 7 ways you mentioned wrong, then again I'm in no way shape or form a professional pianist. 
 

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