Hi everyone. This is my first post on an account made solely for this question: why can't I voice with my fourth finger? Specifically in the agitato section of Rachmaninoff's prelude in C# minor. My fourth finger feels too weak and my third finger feels too strong in the section in the blue box. It sounds as if I'm voicing a minor third as opposed to a D#. Also, the I tend to play the lower note first as if its a grace note or something. This isn't just in this piece either. My fourth finger is infamous for this problem. Most recently I remember it being a problem in a single phrase of Liszt's Liebestraum No.3. Please help thanks.
1) I am a firm believer in the Claude Debussy philosophy of using whatever fingering suits the morphology of a particular pianist's hand.2) That said, I have a small hand with spindly fingers.3) Fortunately, the first score that I purchased for this piece was published by Carl Fischer.4) Specifically, in measure #1 of the "Agitato" section, the first beat of the triplet uses the fifth finger. I use the fourth finger. And, in the second beat , I do the same.5) However, as suggested in the Fischer Score, I use the fifth finger, and then switch back to the fourth finger for beat four. All of this is to properly align the hand for the next broken chord.6) Most importantly, utilize the same philosophy/methodology for the rest of the section. That is: whatever works best for you, given that the goal is to have your hand and your fingers "directly" over the keys.It works!
I just wish there were tiny dumbbells four my fourth because it feels like its weakness is holding back the rest of my fingers.
Total evenness of all fingers is a first goal. Then other repetitions where you emphasize each finger in turn. You should be able to artistically decide which finger is going to be loudest. You should be able to pick out melodies on the top, which is unnatural because 4,5 are the weakest fingers. You should be also be able to emphasize an inner voice if you find that artistic.
Better than dumbbells, my physical therapist gave me a rubber ball to squeeze when I tore the tendons in my shoulder last year. Rather special, it was more resistant than a tennis ball and less resistant than a handball. Look for one at PT supplies. Mine came free with the sling my arm was immobilized in. Of course put the major strain on fingers 4 & 5. And when it starts to hurt, quit and come back and try again in a couple of days. Giving 110% is for crippled ex football players. Another exercise for finger 5, buy an old manual typewriter where the fifth finger has to lift the platten for capital letters. Type out text with a lot of CAPITAL letters. Much easier to store in the closet than a stiffer force practice piano.
Topic: Voicing with the fourth finger 