FIGURE 12-5: Fingering chart

When writing for piano, you do not need to indicate fingering unless you're composing music for children, amateurs, or beginning method books. However, you should be aware of fingering concerns and even sit at the piano to experience the technical requirements of playing this instrument. How does it work? In both hands, the thumbs are called finger one, the index fingers are called finger two, the middle fingers are called finger three, the ring fingers are called finger four, and the pinky fingers are called finger five. This is illustrated in Figure 12-5.

Each finger has its strengths and weaknesses. Since the thumb is situated on the side of the hand it must cross under the fingers to maneuver up the keyboard. This can be tricky and this movement requires practice. The index and middle fingers are the strongest. The ring fingers are least coordinated, and the pinky fingers are usually the weakest. Sit at the piano and practice the C major scale to get a sense of fingering on the instrument. When playing this scale, the thumbs must cross under the other fingers. Moreover, the third fingers and, in the left hand, the fourth finger must cross over the other digits to render the scale (see Figure 12-6).

FIGURE 12-6: Fingering for a C major scale