Simpedia

Cheryl G.

Here are some thoughts on fingering this piece, which I haven’t tried to learn myself yet, but I just played through it…..

You can wait to do this piece until after you learn “Walk at Eleven” in Level 9. Then it will be easier to learn and to play because you will have the experience of making up a walking bass in the left hand. It should flow a lot easier then and the fingerings might just come to you naturally.

I think there can be several different possibilities for fingerings, which might vary depending on hand size and preference. Again, after working with Walk at Eleven, you might discover that finger numbers might change from time to time, as you’re focusing on getting to beat 1 of the next measure (and you might even try making up your own notes in between as in Walk at Eleven). But if you want to find the “perfect” fingering for yourself and do it the same way each time, you’ll have to try it different ways and see what works, and write the finger numbers into the music. But the fingering that works for you might not work for your students, so you’ll have to discover that together. I think it would be good to have students figure out their own finger numbers at home and to discuss why they chose them at the following lesson. I would just assign a few measures. Otherwise it could take up a whole lesson talking about it! On the other hand, they might choose perfectly awful and unworkable fingering in which case you’ll need to guide them.

Another suggestion: Don’t worry about connecting the notes in the left hand. It will be easier to finger and play, and will sound more like a walking bass.

Hope this hasn’t been too confusing….