Piano Magic suggests to play chords with the LEFT hand using the little finger, middle finger and index finger. Advanced chord musicians use the index finger - beginners use the thumb.!! Although this hand shape is often considered as "wrong" (by traditional musicians and teachers) it is familiar to students who have studied advanced chord technique and finger substitution.

I don't wish to doubt or question the merit of the teaching since I truly believe PM is a fantastically informative program, but I would like to hear some opinions from some of the experts here.

makes very little sense to me.

most chords I could not play using your fingering. For example Eb-Bb-D.

So why try to learn a fingering that hardly works. There must be something more to this...

Also, what are we calling "Chord musician". Pianist?

In my opinion, the difference between advanced and beginning pianist is that the advanced pianist keeps his hand open. Because it's easier to contract than to expand.

I suspect there's more to the theory above than you explain

take care

Detroit, you're asking in the wrong forum. Mike explains the "why" of the "Chickenfoot." You'll be using all of your digits sooner than you think. Replay the lessons and then email the PM forum and you'll find people to help.

Knotty, the early piano magic method just focuses on the basic major chords in the key of C until one understands "how music thinks" so reaching Eb-Bb-D is not an issue either during the early stages.

guys-> This is just something I quoted from lesson 7. I was a member for a year back in 2002 I just happened to print the lessons out way back then. Im not sure if much has changed or updated since then. The website looks exactly the same.

I actually gave up after a month (never much time/always tired after working long hours, the last thing I wanted to do is sit in a chair concentrating). Now, however I have committed full time to the piano (approx 8h/day). Im doing control and strength exercises. When I reach a level which satisfies me and I am ready to move to the next level I may rejoin PM or may just use the printed off lessons I have from 2002.

The chicken foot I thought id reach out to a larger audience. I noticed years ago I found it extremely difficult to actually control my hand holding the ring an thumb. Trying to unlearn by releasing these two finger was also quite a challenge. I just wanted to know if the ring and thumb fingers are actually ever used in cords.

Detroit -- the answer to your question is: it depends on the chord. If all one plays is basic chords in their root position then you don't need to use those fingers. But the reality is that you will play more advanced chords and need the thumb and, at times, the ring finger.

Ed