Choosing and using piano chord fingerings

http://bit.ly/billsbook

This tutorial looks at how to break away from limiting 1-3-5 chord fingerings and use approaches that offer greater flexibility and comfort at the keyboard.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• piano tutorial
• piano fingering

[jasonb80s]

Great video. Really clear presentational style. You're a natural! Look forward to checking out your other videos. Gonna download your book too. :-)

[billhiltonbiz]

@jasonb80s Cheers Jason - glad you like it!

[vbdx66]

Hello and a very Happy New Year to you full of music and nice projects.Doesn't appropriate fingering also depends on the size of your hands?

[billhiltonbiz]

@vbdx66 And to you! Yep, it does. So, for example, if you're Rachmaninov and can stretch a fourteenth on the piano keyboard, you have many more options than if you have tiny hands than can only manage an octave. It all comes down to figuring out what works best for your own hands.

[JeroenvanKleef]

My apologies for the long comment :)

[billhiltonbiz]

@JeroenvanKleef No problem! That's an interesting point, actually, and maybe I should have mentioned it - the fingering you use *can* be affected by the location of the chord on the keyboard. OTOH, I sometimes find it pretty difficult to work out how most people do this, as I have slightly unusual anatomy in my lower arms that means I hold my hands differently from most people. Again, I guess what it all comes down to is what works for you. I hope you have a great year too :)

[JeroenvanKleef]

@billhiltonbiz It is not easy, and is one of the things that I think is best learned with a teacher, because a teacher needs to see what someone is doing to be able to give advice that really helps that person. One basic rule I have is that it needs to feel relaxed, you don't need or want to strain your fingers/hands. If it doesn't feel comfortable try to do it another way that works better. But that's hard to figure out for a beginner if you don't know how to figure that out.

[lighthouse85]

@billhiltonbiz thanks mate! Appreciate that!

[billhiltonbiz]

@lighthouse85 Sure - I'll add it to the list. I may have to do a bit of research (I've never really played a ton of gospel) but I'll see what I can do :)

[lighthouse85]

Hi Bill!

Awesome workshops! I like the way how you show us to play! Could you do a Video about Gospel Piano? I've been looking for some good Videos all around youtube, but nothing really outstanding... so might be a good opportunity :-)

Thanks a lot!