Left Hand Quandry 3/2 4/3 SOS

[dak]

I've been brought up using the 3-2 method, but I will say this which should resolve all questions. I always say that for the RIGHT hand, use the fingering that permits you to be ready for the next note required.

I'll now say that pretty much the same rule follows here. There are times I use 3-2, 4-3 or even 5-2. Do what the music requires you to do. For the times I have an option, I use mostly 3-2 for Stradella basics, even counterbass to diminished chords are possible, if I so need to.

3/4 leaves one finger to move to at each side, so it tends to be a bit more strategic. Here is a video of mine I cite too often (at some point of time, I need to record a cleaner version) because it shows a slow left hand pretty clearly (ignore the inner 3 rows of bass buttons: they are not being used in this video and work differently):

One does see that on a fresh start, I am more or less firmly in the 3/4 camp, but everything else occurs as well, with all fingers being essentially used everywhere as needed (when spanning over several columns between bass and chords, depending on the direction the roles of the fingers may well end up reversed from their usual roles).

At any rate, the point is that this is not a "quandry" let alone an "SOS": in the long course of playing it is about as important as worrying about which foot you should start climbing a staircase with in order to arrive at the best position for opening your door.

Yes, it is likely you'll end up doing it the same way most of the time. But you won't get stuck if you don't. And you won't need to start over climbing the stairs in order to make it into your door in case someone met you on the stairs and you needed to take evasive action and went on using the wrong foot.

 

[Giovanni]

Wonderful! All of this help has allowed me to stop googling!

Gr8 ideas with all the good advice from members .........................and your comment is also very good ....Stop googling START PLAYING

 

[ChevyF16A10]

I’m a 3/2 (formerly 4/3) guy. I personally think it’s works better for me. However, it’s worth using 4/3 as well as other combinations when they are convenient.
Good luck .

thank you!

 

[ChevyF16A10]

Hands come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes which is why most gloves bought off-the-peg rarely fit anyone!
Likewise fingerings for any kind of keybard instruments.
For simple oopapah style music 3-2 and 4-3 work for such genres, anything more complex requires fingering to suit the individual piece, I reckon.
I find it difficult to work on intricate mechanisms wearing riggers' gloves

great, thank you!

 

[ChevyF16A10]

3/4 leaves one finger to move to at each side, so it tends to be a bit more strategic. Here is a video of mine I cite too often (at some point of time, I need to record a cleaner version) because it shows a slow left hand pretty clearly (ignore the inner 3 rows of bass buttons: they are not being used in this video and work differently):

One does see that on a fresh start, I am more or less firmly in the 3/4 camp, but everything else occurs as well, with all fingers being essentially used everywhere as needed (when spanning over several columns between bass and chords, depending on the direction the roles of the fingers may well end up reversed from their usual roles).

At any rate, the point is that this is not a "quandry" let alone an "SOS": in the long course of playing it is about as important as worrying about which foot you should start climbing a staircase with in order to arrive at the best position for opening your door.

Yes, it is likely you'll end up doing it the same way most of the time. But you won't get stuck if you don't. And you won't need to start over climbing the stairs in order to make it into your door in case someone met you on the stairs and you needed to take evasive action and went on using the wrong foot.

HA! I loved your analogy... it made me laugh. This is all wonderful to know. My daughter (b/g twins that are 7 and on the 5th lesson) is having difficulty with the 3/2 stretch for 7ths, but my son not. Thank you all for solving my quandary!

 

[ChevyF16A10]

Gr8 ideas with all the good advice from members .........................and your comment is also very good ....Stop googling START PLAYING

yes! no more googling!

 

[micahcowan]

I'm a 4/3 guy. I frequently have to switch to 3/2 if, say, I'm playing an F major over a C bass, and sliding that into a C major. Playing 3/2 by default means you don't have to anticipate such things (but then you have more trouble slurring a G major onto a C major, with a C bass). I assume 3/2 players are also frequently finding themselves having to switch to 4/3 as the music demands. The aim of "good technique" is to develop habits that support good and consistent playing, so doing whatever supports that well, is the "right thing to do".

 

[breezybellows]

Both are valid methods. 3/2 is old school. Outside of the US, schools have mostly shifted to 4/3. I play 3/2. Our new teacher insisted that we all switch to 4/3. I haven't switched but my daughters have. But I use all 4 fingers whenever necessary. I'm this video you can see me doing 3/2, 4/3 and 5/4.