Fingering chords with a physically challenged student
Found in: Musicality, Pedaling, Technique, Special Needs & Learning Differences
Colleen B., Canada
I have a 66-year-old student who is having difficulty playing chords with finger 1, 3, 5. Her fourth finger has limited upward mobility. We had lesson number 6 today. Would it be terrible to adapt and let her play chords with fingers 1, 3, 4? If not, why? And if not, how do I help with the finger range of motion?
Neil Moore
Really, you just have to do whatever works. Even if there’s a reason why 1, 3, 5 are best suited to playing basic chords, it is of no value when the student has a genuine physical limitation that precludes her from doing so. Do what you have to do for now, and you many find, in time, that she discovers more freedom. If and when that occurs, you can adjust accordingly.
Jacqui G., Canada
I have a 7-year-old student who has been with me for two months. When I introduced her to chords she could not get fingers 2 and 4 to stay up, so she would hold them up with her left hand. After a couple of weeks of this, her fingers learned to cooperate. I named this technique the Tessa Maneuver. Maybe it would help your student.
Heidi M., Canada
I have a six-year-old who took about 7 weeks until he was able to do the chords quite easily without fingers 2 and 4 getting in the way, but with his persistent practice the breakthrough came.
Sue L., California
I have taken a pencil or popsicle stick and placed it under finger 2, over finger 3, and under finger 4 to help fingers 2 and 4 stay up. I learned this from another SM teacher.
Joy O., Alabama
More movement of her hands should lead in time to better range of motion for fingers and hands. As she continues to play piano, she’ll keep improving.
Laurie Richards, Nebraska
Often, I have found that instructing the student to first just hold the thumb down, then add finger 3, then add finger 5, works very well, albeit it may be more difficult for a senior. If that doesn’t help, then whatever works! I always figure it’s worth a try.