Alternate Greensleeves Fingering
Found in: Curriculum, Foundation Songs, Musicality, Pedaling, Technique
Ian M., Indiana
An 8-year-old student came up with an alternate fingering for Greensleeves that I thought was both insightful and helpful for kids with small hands, and I told her I was going to share it here, and that Neil Moore might even see it.
In the transition to position 2, which is F3 on G followed by F2 on E and F1 on C, she instead suggested F3 on G followed by F1 on E and crossing over with F2 to C – which accomplishes the goal of getting F3 to D quite naturally.
When I first saw her do it, I started into my standard talk about fingering and efficiency and doing it the way I say but I trailed off fairly quickly and then said “Wait, let me see that again.” I still gave her the talk, but told her that her way really did meet the requirements, so good job!
Neil Moore
This is great. And, yes, fingering is a suggestion. As I’ve said elsewhere, my personal fingering ‘rules’ are that, 1. it looks good, 2. it sounds good and, 3. it feels good.
Anna J., Canada
Yes! I encourage students to explore other fingering if what is suggested doesn’t work for them. I like to say that while there would be ‘wrong’ ways to play something, there are often numerous right ways to play it too. I love that Simply Music gives students the tools to make critically informed choices, rather than simply imitate what they’ve been taught.
Original discussion started April 11, 2019