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Home » piano chord hand position » What is the correct left-hand fingering for the chord, D major7, on piano?

What is the correct left-hand fingering for the chord, D major7, on piano?

Q.

A. It depends on what position (arrangement of notes) the chord is in. In all of these explanations:
5 is your Left hand pinky
4 is your ring finger
3 is your middle finger
2 is your pointer
and 1 is your thumb.

The order of notes is from lowest to highest.

In root (basic) position, you would play D F# A C# using 5, either 4 or 3, 2, and 1.

In first inversion, you would play F# A C# D using 5, 3, 2, and 1.

In second inversion, you would play A C# D F# using 5, 3, 2, and 1.

In third inversion, you would play C# D F# A using 5, 4, 2, and 1.

Generally however, only root position and 1st inversion are used in 7th chords unless the voice leading calls for it. In everything except for 2nd inversion you can drop the A out of the chord, as it is the least important member. (In second inversion, the A on the bottom is what makes it a second inversion chord.)

Also realise that the fingering for a chord changes depending on where your fingers need to go next in the song as well as how comfortable a particular position is for you. Don't think that there is only one "right" way to finger a chord. You need to do what makes the most sense in the context of the piece you are playing. Generally, however, the fingering I gave you will work if you just need to show what a Dmajor7 would look like.

Original Question

What is the proper left-hand fingering for the chord, Bb(sus4), in root position on piano?
Q.

A. The sus chord is generally assumed to include a 7th and has a dominant function so:

Bb - Eb-F-Ab would best be played with 5-3-2-1

Without the 7th, (the Ab) 5-2-1 -- but this robs the chord of some of its color

Often it is played without the 5th (the F in this case) so 5-2-1
But this takes the dissonant bite out of it.

Original Question

Proper hand positions when playing piano?
Q. I've been looking online and they all seem to have different opinions- should I press a piano key with my finger pad or my finger tip (like the very tip)? I've been playing with my hands curved but pressing my finger pads against the keys and it feels unnatural to play with the tips of my fingers. Any help would be appreciated!

A. This is a highly contentious issue in pedagogical circles. Ideally, the piano keys should be depressed with the finger tips, which is find if the notes are close together. However, as soon as you have to spread your fingers, this become nigh on impossible and you have to use your pads. I guess this means there is no hard and fast rule... in general, use your finger tips when you can which enables you to maintain a curved hand position. However, this is difficult when playing wide chords or octaves. Playing with your hands flat and using the pads of your fingers makes articulation difficult.

Original Question




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Title : What is the correct left-hand fingering for the chord, D major7, on piano?
Description : Q. A. It depends on what position (arrangement of notes) the chord is in. In all of these explanations: 5 is your Left hand pinky 4 is yo...

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