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http://youtube.com/watch?v=91Byb28Cp50&mode=related&search=

That's a good fingering. It's the same for starting on a black key, also -- just start on 3 (always 3 on the black keys) and then continue as usual.

That's the fingering that I almost always use for chromatic scales.

Regards,

Thanks for posting this. Interesting fingering. Up until now I used what my previous teacher called 'Liszt's fingering'.
Over two octaves starting at C ending on C, going up:
1234123123412312312341231

By the way, Sam, I hope it's not because of the lukewarm (at best) reception of his hair-do in Pianoworld, that mr. Rudess saw a barber...

So... you mean that chromatic fingering isn't standard? >_> I love it when he says "my fingering", as if he invented the fingering he's teaching.

The comments in the section below make me grind my teeth... with what emotion, I can't tell.

That's the fingering I have always preferred.

I use that fingering also, but I never knew it was "liszt's"

Same for me. That's how I was taught. I find it very straightforward, and easy to pick up if there is a section of chromatic scale in the middle of a piece.

Busoni came up with several very interesting and unconventional patterns for chromatic fingerings. When playing at very high speed he often utilized the fourth and fifth fingers. Also of interest are his fingerings for chromatic seconds, thirds, fourths, fifths and sixths. This is all published in his two exercise books.

I think that's pretty much the standard.

It's funny how you brought that up because my teacher is currently having me play some studies from those books. I find them pretty interesting and would agree they are unconventional.

Very interesting, Pahl. As one with the highest admiration for Busoni, I would be curious to see those books.

Myself, I have always found the so-called "Liszt" fingering more to my liking. I've always felt it's given me more reliable velocity and legato in fast chromatic passages. Personally -and IMHO of course- I wouldn't want to use anything else in the "Grave" of the Pathetique or the Liszt B minor Ballade.

for the benefit of those of us unable to view youtube, what exactly is Mr. Rudess' proposed fingering?

1234 1234 1234 (thumb on C, E and G#) sometimes works quite well depending on context,especially where a speedy flourish is required. Though it perhaps takes a while to feel happy with the 'thumb-over' character of getting to the G#...

-Michael B.

Dohnanyi gives that fingering (with left hand using 1432 1432 1432 in parallel) for a chromatic scale up two octaves and down. I've found it helpful for practise, though he doesn't imply its use in actual performance, only as an exercise.

3-1 fingering, pincered fingertips:
e.g., RH starting on F sharp:
3-1-3-1-3-1-2-3-1-3-1-2-3.....

Starting on any key :

RH: 3 on all black keys; 1 on all white keys except for 2 on F and C.

LH: 3 on all black keys; 1 on all white keys except for 2 on E and B.

Regards,

I was taught 3-1 in the same way as others have stated. I've tried Liszt's fingering but find it uncomfortable but this probably is more due to 27 years of doing it the 3-1 way!!

I think that the 1-3 fingering will work best for brilliant passages while the 1,2,3,1,2,3,4 fingering probably works best for smooth, legato passages.

Regards,

All this fingering discussion makes me wonder whether a chromatic glissando is possible (i.e. black AND white key glissando). One can reach much higher speed than with a finger scale.

Is there any composition than suggests this?

Or am I consciously trying to be innovative ?

I use BruceD fingering for normal playing.

For training the weaker fingers I practice with
RH: 5343453434345...
LH: 5454543545454...
These are 13 notes starting on C and ending on C.