The importance of fingering & how to improve your playing

by Joost Nusselder | Updated on:  May 3, 2022

Always the latest guitar gear & tricks?

Subscribe to THE newsletter for aspiring guitarists

We'll only use your email address for our newsletter and respect your privacy

hi there I love creating free content full of tips for my readers, you. I don't accept paid sponsorships, my opinion is my own, but if you find my recommendations helpful and you end up buying something you like through one of my links, I could earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

In music, fingering is the choice of which fingers and hand positions to use when playing certain musical instruments.

Fingering typically changes throughout a piece; the challenge of choosing good fingering for a piece is to make the hand movements as comfortable as possible without changing hand position too often.

A fingering can be the result of the working process of the composer, who puts it into the manuscript, an editor, who adds it into the printed score, or the performer, who puts his or her own fingering in the score or in performance.

Guitar fingering

A substitute fingering is an alternative to the indicated fingering, not to be confused with finger substitution. Depending on the instrument, not all the fingers may be used.

For example, saxophonists do not use the right thumb and string instruments (usually) only use the fingers.

The different types of fingering and when to use them

Fingering is an important element of playing music on many instruments, and there are a number of different types of fingering.

In general, the goal is to make the hand movements as comfortable as possible by choosing finger positions that minimize stress on the hands and wrists while allowing for smooth transitions between notes and chords.

Fixed fingering

The most commonly used fingering type is called “fixed” fingering. As the name implies, this involves using a specific finger or combination of fingers for each note or chord throughout a piece.

This can be helpful if you are playing a difficult passage in which it would be impractical to use different fingers for every note, as it streamlines the hand movements from each root position and reduces the risk of making errors.

However, fixed fingering can also make a piece more difficult to play, as it requires precise coordination between the hands and often results in large stretches between notes.

It can also be uncomfortable for the fingers if they are not used to being in the same position for an extended period of time.

Free or open fingering

“Free” or “open” fingering is the opposite of fixed fingering, and involves using any finger or combination of fingers for each note.

This can be helpful if you are playing a passage that is particularly difficult to finger using fixed fingering, as it allows you to choose the fingerings that are most comfortable for your hands.

However, free fingering can also make a piece more difficult to play, as it requires more coordination between the hands and often results in larger stretches between notes.

It can also be uncomfortable for the fingers if they are not used to being in different positions for every note.

Cross fingering

Cross fingering is a compromise between fixed and free fingering, and involves using the same finger to play two adjacent notes.

This is often used when playing scales or other passages with large leaps between notes, as it allows you to keep your hand in the same position for longer.

Modern fingering techniques

Modern fingering techniques involve altering finger placement and hand positioning in order to play more efficient or expressive sounds.

For example, there are a number of different ways to play the same note on the piano that produce different tones with unique characteristics.

Similarly, certain hand positions can be used to achieve vibrato or other special effects.

How to find the best fingering for a piece of music

Finding the right fingering positions comes down to a balance between the two extremes of fixed and free fingering.

There are no “right” or “wrong” fingerings, as each piece has its own challenges that require a more tailored approach to choosing the best finger positions.

Ultimately, your goal when choosing the right fingering should be to find a comfortable hand position that allows you to play the notes smoothly and accurately without too much effort.

One way to find the best fingering for a piece is to experiment with different fingerings and see what feels most comfortable for your hands.

If you are having difficulty with a certain passage, try using a different fingering and see if that makes it easier to play. You can also ask a teacher or more experienced musician for help in finding the best fingerings for a piece.

Another way to find the best fingering for a piece is to look at published fingerings for similar pieces and adapt them to your own hands.

Best strings for electric guitar
Best strings for electric guitar

This can be helpful if you are having difficulty finding a comfortable fingering on your own. However, it is important to remember that every musician’s hands are different, so what works for one person may not work for you.

In the end, the best way to find the right fingering for a piece is to experiment and use your own judgment to find what feels most comfortable for your hands.

Tips for improving your fingering technique

  1. Practice regularly and focus on the small details of fingering, such as hand position, finger placement, and transitions between notes.
  2. Experiment with different fingerings to find positions that are most comfortable for your hands, and don’t be afraid to try new approaches if you are struggling with a particular passage or piece.
  3. Pay attention to how your fingers feel when you are playing, and take breaks if you start to feel discomfort in your hands.
  4. Listen to recordings of the music you are playing to get a sense of how the fingering should sound, and use a metronome to help keep track of the timing and rhythm of the piece.
  5. Ask a teacher or more experienced musician for help in finding the best fingerings for a piece, and look at published fingerings for similar pieces to get ideas.

Conclusion

Fingering is an important part of playing a musical instrument. In this article, we have discussed the basics of fingering and how to find the best finger positions for a piece of music.

We have also provided some tips for improving your fingering technique. Remember to practice regularly and experiment with different fingerings to find what works best for you.

I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Neaera and a content marketer, dad, and love trying out new equipment with guitar at the heart of my passion, and together with my team, I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2020 to help loyal readers with recording and guitar tips.

Check me out on Youtube where I try out all of this gear:

Microphone gain vs volume Subscribe