The first couple paragraphs can really be skipped (just a bit of background).

After reviewing the fingering for different arpeggios in a book I recently bought, I was disappointed to discover that the “official LH fingering” for C major (and other structurally equivalent arpeggios, such as E minor, F major, G major, etc.) was 5421, instead of 5321, which is what I’ve been using. A bit of online research, however, showed me that they may be interchangeable, but I’m not sure.

The problem is that the new fingering causes strain in my hand (whereas the fingering that I’ve been using feels fine). It seems like the official fingering for the “middle line” between, for example, C minor (5421) and D major (5321), just doesn’t work for me. In other words, arpeggios that follow the structure (hand position) of C minor (such as F minor and G minor) work fine with 5421, and arpeggios that follow the structure of of D major (and E major, A major, etc.) work fine with 5321, which is standard, but the fingering for arpeggios that’re structured like C major (E minor, etc.) strain my hand.

In short, I’d like to know if the 5321 fingering for C major arpeggios has any disadvantages (as compared with the standard 5421). Sorry for the long post. I just don’t want to cut any corners.

Thanks guys,
-Nicholas

I just tested what you were talking about --
I bet you lose velocity when using 5 321 on that arpeggio, especially if you're planning on going up more than one octave. If Hanon or whichever exercise book you're using says 5421 you ought to use it and build up strength or muscle memory. I don't think there's any way you can get an injury following the way they want it, unless you have incredibly small hands. My hands are about medium sized and I can barely reach 9ths, if that gives you an idea.

On the other hand, I've been known to ignore fingerings and what not. Generally, if the song is difficult -- I pay for it when I cut corners and I have to relearn the fingerings or timings correctly. It pays to be fairly strict in those regards when you're just starting out I would think.

My hands are pretty big actually. I guess my 4th finger is just weak. It's just a bit annoying because I've used the 5321 fingering in a lot of my repertoire and got very proficient with it (I've actually been playing for a little while now.).



I've done that, too. It's never fun.

They are interchangeable but you might find 5-4-2-1-4-2 easier for multiple octaves than 5-3-2-1-2-3. Try it and see. Most books I've seen will suggest one and have the other fingering as an alternative.

For the first inversion it's definitely 5-4-2 though.

Hi!
I learn that:

C E G (C) is 5 4 2 (1)
E G C (E) is 5 4 2 (1)
but
G C E (G) is 5 3 2 (1)

All the best!
Aurel

Interesting that you should post this Nicholas. My teacher has just started me on this very thing, teaching it as 5 4 2 1. Just like you I have always played it using 5 3 2 1 because it is hard for me to stretch fingers 54 across a third. Now the reason I'm being taught to use 5 4 2 1 is because not doing it that way is starting to effect my ability to play certain pieces. It is going to take me some time to relearn this, but I think the benefits are worth it. In other words, the fact that it is uncomfortable is telling us that there is a limitation in our hand flexibility. Gradually learning to playing this with 5 4 2 1 will help overcome that limitation.

Personally, I find 5421 more comfortable.

But why always do it the same way? Instead, do what works best in the context of what you're playing. For you, it may be 5321 most of the time, but in certain pieces you may find 5421 working better.

Consider for instance all the quick back and forth between the Am and Em triads in the bridge of "Katyusha". By using 421 for Am and 542 for Em, I can come closer to doing it fast enough than I could using the same fingering for both.

So, play from xerox copies of the sheet music, write in and scratch out your own fingerings and change them around until you have it optimized. Make new xeroxes and start over when they get too messy.

I have some nerve damage in my right hand, 2 is completely numb, and 1 and 3 have some numbness, so I re-finger things all the time.

Thanks for all the replies, guys. There was some really good input.



Yeah, I think you're right. I've been practicing with the 5421 fingering for a couple days now and I can tell that I'm improving.