Dominic's suggestion on chromatic scale fingering
I listened with great interest 2/3 the way in on Dominic's video about the Russian style of practicing scales. During a brief period re: a question a viewer asked, Dominic mentioned using the 4th finger on Bb and F# right and left hands instead of traditional 123 fingering. I was wondering if he could post a chart of the exact fingering for each hand? I'm having a little trouble figuring out his method, always having had difficulty with speed with chromatics.
Thank you
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Yes, I was wondering if the thumb is still used on the same naturals with the 4 simply substituting for the 3? Or if i.e. the three sharp grouping fingered F# 4-1-2-3- A# 4 ? Which I doubt. I’ll have to go back and find it on the video.
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Hey Allan Freilich and Dave B
So I can work on creating a chart, but for now here is the exact fingering I use for ALL my chromatic scales without fail:
Right Hand
ascending starting on "C"
(1313 123 1234 1) This last 1 is now on "B" not the "C" we originally began on, but thats ok! The "C" will now have a 2 on it. so continuing from "C" in the next octave:
23 13 123 1234 1 (and again, C is with 2). And then this backwards is the descending scale
Left Hand
Ascending starting on "C"
(131 321 4321 32) And now the next note is "C" with the 1st finger.
(131 321 4321 32)
backwards for descending
I hope this is helpful, and I should have a a follow livestream where I re-explain this fingering in a bit more depth and why it is so great for speed and fluidity!
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Thanks for taking the time to answer. After so many years of doing chromatics the 'old' way, (and always having difficulty e.g Beethoven c minor No 8 chromatic downward) I'm wondering how long to unlearn and relearn. LOL Luckily, I'm retired.
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Allan Freilich Definitely it can take some time to relearn the scales (just one fingering is different, that 4th finger for the hands). But it will definitely help!
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Yes very helpful. Thanks.
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Dave B Glad to hear it, Dave! Let us know if you have any other questions. I will have a chromatic scale livestream where I also talk about other unconventional but potentially helpful fingerings. But for 98% of my scales I use the fingering above!
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