Fur Elise – fingering of 9 Es
Found in: Foundation Songs
Amy L., California
How do you teach the fingering for the first three of the 9 Es, 5-5-1 vs 5-1-2 vs any other options? I see that Neil uses 5-5-1. As a child I learned 5-1-2. I’d love to hear thoughts about the pros and cons of these two options as well as any other options that might be appropriate (if any).
Brenda D., Colorado
I teach the fingering that Neil teaches in the variations at the end of Foundation 2.
Ian M., Indiana
To me, teaching 5-5-1 is more straightforward. After the first E, the first instruction is “move the LH up one octave”. The second E is the beginning of a shape – like a bird flying; fingers are the wings, thumbs are the head. From there, play LH 5-1 RH 1-5, which is pinkie thumb thumb pinkie in the same order as if you were reading a book, left to right. Then you move your whole shape up an octave and repeat.
Smaller hands don’t connect into the bird shape, but it still works for them with a bit more explanation.
Carol P., South Carolina
I like 5-5-1 because the hand stays open and doesn’t have to “find” the octave reach again. Every age I’ve taught has been able to learn to play it quickly and easily.
Becc S., Australia
I have a music book with fingering in it and it is 5-5-1. I have always played it that way, even before SM.