Leaping down to bass notes with 3 vs. 5

[daggenhurstfan]

Hey all,

Was wondering what the general consensus was for leaping downwards to bass notes (first example that comes to mind is chopin op.9 no.2) do you usually hit them with 5 or 3? given that you will be jumping back upwards, 5 seems the most logical solution, but sometimes 3 is more definite as more flesh is hitting the note (especially if it's black),

another example i can think of are the low bass notes in Chopin Op. 25 No. 11, a lot of editors recommend 3-2 in places where there are two low bass notes tied together, followed by a jump, however in places where it is simply one bass note followed by a leap up 5 is recommended

[chopincat]

I think it depends on the note, and how big the jump is. For a very fast leap to a black note, for example, I might want to use 3 instead of 5 because there's just a better chance that I'll hit it. I also don't think that there's one answer for everyone, as some people have weaker 5th fingers than others. But, like you said, I think 5 seems like the most logical in the majority of situations.

[ted]

Most of the time I use the third finger because my hand seems better balanced with it. However, if the lower note is reasonably close to whatever it jumps to, say almost within a stretched handspan, I use the fifth. In ragtime and stride I invariably substitute octaves for any single notes in the lower bass; there is something about it which feels easier and it sounds better too.

[ted]

There are exceptions to the above preference in stride, when the lower note is either very deep or requires conspicuous articulation for rhythmic or phrasal reasons, making the sound of an octave too heavy. I always use the third finger in those cases.

[visitor]

Unless I make exception it is 5 For white key and 4 for black key
This is if we are talking both single note or octave ie 5-1 and 4-1
There are instances in the music I might make a chance from this but initial finder mapping happens like that for me

[j_menz]

What leaps?

[visitor]

What leaps?

Ribbiting

[ted]

Precisely, it's all about the ranine connection.