The Music Corner for Piano Lovers

Working Out Fingering for Scales: Part III

12 Aug 2014 News

This is the last post on fingering. This week, we'll take a look at Pattern Two used for B Major, B minor, and F Major.

Because we have a Bb in the key of F, the R.H. deviates slightly from the pattern we've been following for white keys. (If you missed that post, here's a link to it: http://ntustin.musicaneo.com/blog/news/view/1698.html

It's more comfortable to play the Bb with Finger 4 rather than to bring the thumb under the third finger to play Fa (the fourth note in the major scale). The result of this is that you end on High Do with Finger 4 rather than 5.

The L.H. follows the same pattern as that of the other white keys.

For B Major and its parallel minor, it's the L.H. that differs from the pattern. Because you play all the black keys for B Major (C#, D#, F#, G#, and A#), it's easier to start with Finger 4 rather than with Finger 5. This brings Finger 3 on C# (Re) and Finger 4 on F# (So). If you started with Finger 5, and followed Pattern One, you'd find yourself having to use your thumb on F# - not a comfortable position at all.

Our reason for starting with Finger 4 when playing B minor is the same. You have to play a C# and an F#. Starting with Finger 5 would leave you in the awkward position of having to play the F# with your thumb.

The R.H. for both these scales uses Pattern One.

 

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