How do I know whta finger to use?

[jstthunder88]

Currently, I play clarinet and have a very good music background.  Even though I am really good at clarinet I LOVE the piano.  I've been playing out of The Czerny method for beginners but I find that when I pick up music I want to play, I don't know what finger to use and when to use it.  I knwo all my white key scales multiple octaves and can play music(with fingerings given) fairly well.  but, what do you do when the fingerings aren't given to you?  also, how do you play music where you have to hold out one note while playing a melody , in the same hand?!   this stuff baffles me and I don't know where to go in order to get advice on how to play.  The czerny helps a little bit, bit the alfred series is an absolute joke.  does anyone have any suggestions to help me improve in my fingerings and overall technique?  so far, I have done all of those without a piano teacher and right now I don't plan on getting one so if anyone has suggestions of books to read or just advice, I'd appreciate it greatly.

[thierry13]

Find a teacher, only him could teach you properly. You just can't learn multi-voices pieces and play them well. That would help too to know when to use the proper fingerings. You should learn ALL the scales too. This with a teacher to watch you too 

[bernhard]

Thierry is right: A teacher will save you a lot of time and trouble. 

In the meantime, have a look here:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2458.msg21365.html#msg21365
(Reply #5 has some tips for fingering)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2619.msg22756.html#msg22756
(unorthodox fingering for all major and minor scales plus an explanation)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2749.msg23873.html#msg23873
(reply #6 lists the principles of fingering)


Best wishes,
Bernhard.