Sequences and fingering

[1piano4joe]

Hi all,

Just curious but I typically will play a melodic sequence with the same fingering. I just make a very small hand shift and repeat the pattern starting at a higher and/or lower pitch. Is this considered "good" technique?

Would there be ever be good reason to not do this? Maybe to avoid fatigue/cramps? Or to avoid possible injury?

Thanks, Joe.

[quantum]

For sequences such as those common in Baroque music, I like to keep to the same pattern and shift.  If it becomes awkward then I may change the fingering for any iterations in question.  If a more complex fingering helps with execution or memorization, I would consider it, but only if it provides a demonstrable improvement over a simple repetitive fingering pattern. 

Complex fingering poses more things to incorporate into the learning and performance of a piece.  One has to weigh the costs or benefits, if it truly helps or it just adds more clutter.