What's your favorite finger?

[Nightscape]

I didn't use numbers.... not sure if they are standardized or not.

[ted]

Favourite finger for what ?

[Goldberg]

For piano, I assume!   

My vote is cast for RH Ring. It's certainly not my *strongest* finger (per se), but I actually have a good amount of control over it, and it can be flexible and can create some very delicate tones when required. I hate my RH Index finger, which is usually regarded as one of the most capable fingers, but mine in particular suffers from...something...I dunno what exactly, but it can be ever so slightly painful at times, and the joints have become fairly large after years of popping (a habit which I gave up some time ago, fortunately) and stress caused by incorrect technique (which I believe caused some of my "popping" problems) which has also been cured fortunately, but not soon enough to save my index finger from some rather uncomfortable feelings every now and then. I never feel like I have complete control over it, and some times it downright hurts to play it in a certain way. On a good day it's just as fast as some of the other fingers though.

I also like my thumbs and "pinky" fingers quite a lot, the thumbs for tone control, and pinkies for lightness of touch (I enjoy 4-5 and 3-5 trills and given the trouble I tend to have with my index finger, I usually steer clear of 2-3 or 1-2 trills even though I rarely have much choice...). My least favourite fingers are the middle ones because, at least in my hand, they are tightly "bound" to the other fingers and it is difficult to move the middle fingers without unwanted responses from the rest of my hand. Although not severe, this can occassionally be problematic depending on the particular situation. I've just always felt that my middle fingers are the least flexible and independent of the lot.

A weird topic, perhaps, but I think it's fun to discuss! (mostly because it IS weird)

[Torp]

The one I hold up when someone pulls into my lane of traffic and almost crushes me on my motorcycle.  Could be either right or left hand, I'm not particular.

[nanabush]

My left hand pinky has more touch for quieter notes, and my right hand thumb I find is the most developped and I find the most useful.

[IanT]

Initially I couldn't decide, but then I remembered that, whenever there's a long slow ascending arpeggio such as Ginastera is fond of (e.g. second of Danzas Argentinas, slow movement of the Op22 sonata), I always play the last, topmost note with the index finger of my left hand.  So I guess that's my favourite (for piano playing anyway!).

Ian

[dinosaurtales]

Favourite finger for what ?

Yeah!  If I am driving my car, one finger seems to be the favorite!  On the piano, I am all thumbs, though!

[Rach3]

RH pinky is very underrated (sounds like another Sorabji thread...). Sure it doesn't have much musical tone, or agility. But it's extremely useful in arpeggios where there is simply no substiture. You can always count on it to hit exactly the right key at the top of those runs in Brahms 2nd...

[thierry13]

You are saying you play brahms 2 ! Everyone say it's the hardest! You only said that to brag around about your super playing! Brahms is not a walk in the park you know!

..........

(sarcasm)

[Bouter Boogie]

Hmm.. Favorite finger for..?
I chose RH middle, dunno why 

[will]

RH Index finger for sure...is there anything this finger can't do?

[viking]

 RH pinky is the million dollar finger.  It is absolutely crutial to have a good one to bring out the melody in songs such as herioc polonaise, chopin ballades, etc..
SAM

[thracozaag]

 Clearly, the answer is obvious:




koji (STSD)

[Tash]

RH Pinky all the way- i became very famous for my pinky at school after a friend was taking photos of my hands playing and another friend noticed how it always sticks out to the side to reach the notes- it's like it's on another planet from my other fingers! so i have a special affection for it. and it's always reliable in bringing out my melodies and stretching large distances, provided i don't overwork it. cheers to the pinky!!
what's with the greatness of the RH thumb?

[raymagini]

Clearly, the answer is obvious:




koji (STSD)

wow i wish i had backwards hands like that, then voicing would be a lot easier