fingering for Maleguena

[Rockitman]

Measure 21.   The decsending quintuplets.  How do you finger them?

I'm going 34321 and then crossing over to the next.  Is there a better way?
The crossover is not graceful for me and maybe I just need to work on it more but if there is a better fingering method here I would appreciate it.

Is 45421 with a hop down to the next more appropriate?

[willcowskitz]

If you mean the 34321 for C# D C# G# F, then your fingering should be fine. I think an important trick here is to learn to aim the fourth finger between the black keys, closer to the end of keys (further from the edge of the keyboard), on descending D's (after C#'s) so speed is not lost on the transitions.

Oh yeah, another personal tip I can share about this piece is that it is very helpful to learn to play parts of it with exaggerated staccato - to learn to play every note individually with speed.

[Rockitman]

thanks Willcowskitz.  Much appreciated. 

[mound]

Is 45421 with a hop down to the next more appropriate?

Yes, I believe so.

I do it 45421 45421 45421   (same for the descending quintuplets throughout the piece) with a lateral hand-shift rather than crossing fingers over.. I'm not sure trying to cross fingers is going to get you the speed you'll need, but of course "your mileage may vary" - but I do think that depending on the size of your hands 34321 should work almost as well.. feels a bit unnatural to me, but I've learned it 45421.. Remember to make them sound connected.

-Paul

[mound]

Oh yeah, another personal tip I can share about this piece is that it is very helpful to learn to play parts of it with exaggerated staccato - to learn to play every note individually with speed.

Good tip, my teacher explained just that to me as well

[lostinidlewonder]

34321 is what i use. The main idea of it is the useage of the 3rd finger on the C# octaves. Which Beethoven used in pieces like his Tempest Sonata, the 3rd finger jumping on octaves. The movement of the third finger must not cross over the hand, it must shift with the hand as it draws across.  The octave down C# is with a downward drop of the 3rd finger. The should 3rd raise a little and make almost a little rainbow shape as it moves from one octave to the other. And come from above, not across.

It might be good to just play the C# with the 3rd finger only and then add one note at a time to get the feeling of the 3rd finger.

[Rockitman]

Ok, I understand that a hand shift and not a cross over is needed here. 

Mound, I can understand why you use the 45421 here because later on when you play the repeating quintuplets throughout the song, that is the required fingering.

I'm going to play around with both, although I think the 34321 is a stronger option.  I don't think it's a big deal, one or the other.  The main thing I'm getting from you all is that a hand shift and not a crossover is needed here. 

[mound]

Mound, I can understand why you use the 45421 here because later on when you play the repeating quintuplets throughout the song, that is the required fingering.

Yup, I use that consistently throughout and that is likely the reason I chose this fingering.

I'm not sure in general if it would be easier to target those octave jumps with the 3 or 4.   Perhaps it's the size of my hand, but if I used 343, it seems there would be a bit of an awkward stretch between the 343 and the 21  whereas from 454 to 21 flows better for me.

Yes though, the lateral shift is the key..

If you have problems connecting the pentuplets (as I did) - try playing in various rhythmic configurations (dotted rhytms) as well as practicing stopping on both the C# you jumped to, as well as stopping on the D following the C#..  The entire cascading set of pentuplets should flow evenly and not sound like distinct elements.

Have fun! This is a crowd pleaser for sure

-Paul

[Rockitman]

Thanks for the info Paul.  I have been following your previous threads regarding your learning this piece.   You must have put alot of work into it to have it memorized now.   I've listened to a couple of recordings of this song and it sounds easier than it is. 
I spent a good hour last night just practicing the descending pentuplets and I feel much better about them now. 
I'm also trying to memorize it as I learn it also.   This will be a first for me in quite a long time.  Also memorizing Maple Leaf Rag,  and Chopin Etude op10no3.   These 3 songs will keep my plate full for a while. 

I'm finding my biggest stump to get over in Maleguena is to remember to keep sharping that dang E!