Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner What is your fingering for arpeggios?

I was in the practice room today fifteen minutes into my warm up, when I was approached by another student. Apparently, he had been watching me unbeknownst to me, and told me that he noticed I used my #3 finger on my left hand on the third interval from the root.

He told me that he was still a beginner but his instructor was adamant about correct fingering and that it was to use the #4 finger.

I've been playing since i was 6, with quite a few teachers and a couple coaches through college (performance major), and never once has this been brought up as an issue by any of them. So, I'm wondering, if there's a "correct" fingering pattern for arpeggios.

I told him that, as part of my warm up, I go though arpeggios in all keys, major and minor, and that he wanted to sit and listen to me. He asked that I do them slower, which I did. Afterwards, he said that it was confusing because on keys that originate on a "black key", I do, in fact, use my #4 finger (since I avoid using my thumb on black keys). Well, shucks, I do them everyday so don't even think about it. I really couldn't give him an good answer as to what pattern to follow.

But just out of curiosity, what's your fingering on your left hand for, say, a C major arpeggio?

I wouldn't normally have much reason to play straight arpeggios per se but I tried it just now and either finger seems all right - not a lot in it.

I too prefer to play using the 3rd finger due to my huge hand. I think so long as it produce right tone, it doesn't really matter it's 3rd or 4th finger. The 4th finger is only a suggested finger.

I remember that I used to use my 3rd finger, but my teacher told me I should use the 4th so I changed. I think the shape of the hand is kept more natural if you use the 4th, but I don't think it really matters which you use.

Depending on the person, really. In arpeggios section, certain books might write for e.g. in c major arpeggio(left hand): 5 3/4 2 1 ..... Certain students might be suited to a fingering 3 or 4. I used 3 or 4 fingering for my arpeggios. So, nothing is strange about them. Other piano books might write 3 or a 4 fingering number. Teachers might say used a 3 fingering bcoz they are much suited & to let the students accustomed to it often so that they'll used it often.

But to me, there are difference in using a 3 & a 4 fingering. The 4 fingering might be easier to used under circumstances of stretching to give a more comforting playing, which means that that other teacher you've described is correct on the matter. On the other hand, when using a 3 fingering is quite limited on spaces & comfort during stretching higher notes.

But, it doesn't matter. Both can be used. And depending on the students fingering.

I use my third finger more often than you're supposed to as well.

I think that if you take the time to learn it, using the recommended fourth finger does more naturally fit the hand and probably allows you to be more relaxed.

I use 4 when the third falls on a white key (C, G, F, B) and 3 when it falls on a black key (D, A, E) for arpeggios that begin on a white key. The ones that begin on a black key are all different of course.

ditto what jbryan said