Piano Fingerings Database

BRAHMS | Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, Op. 8: IV. mm. 190–92

Piano fingerings for Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major by Johannes Brahms

“This fingering reduces the number of position shifts in the right hand and allows the final D-sharp to be taken as an octave.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/3/2022

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 28, 2019Johannes Brahms, Piano Trio in B Major (Op. 8), Michael Clark, reduce position shifts, final octaveComment

BRAHMS | Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, Op. 8: IV. mm. 300–4

“Using 3-2-1 in both hands for each four-note group eliminates confusion and ensures a bold declamation.”

Submitted by Michael Clark with thanks to Robert Roux

Published on 1/3/2022

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 28, 2019Johannes Brahms, Piano Trio in B Major (Op. 8), Michael Clark, fingering only, use stronger fingers, maintain technical patternComment

BRAHMS | Sonata in D Minor for Piano and Violin, Op. 108: I. 59–61

“It’s unwieldy to keep these two lines legato with the left hand alone. The right hand can intervene.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 7, 2019Johannes Brahms, Violin Sonata (Op. 108), Michael Clark, redistribution, improve legato

BRAHMS | Sonata in D Minor for Piano and Violin, Op. 108: I. mm. 72–83

Piano fingerings for Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108, by Johannes Brahms

“This hand distribution helps reduce the number of position shifts to as few as possible.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 7, 2019Johannes Brahms, Violin Sonata (Op. 108), Michael Clark, hand crossing, redistribution, reduce position shifts, facilitate leap

BRAHMS | Sonata in D Minor for Piano and Violin, Op. 108: I. 90–92

“Taking the last note of the tenor line in the right hand frees the left hand for a smooth transition to its next position.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 7, 2019Johannes Brahms, Violin Sonata (Op. 108), Michael Clark, facilitate leap, redistribution

BRAHMS | Sonata in D Minor for Piano and Violin, Op. 108: I. 208–13

“This distribution divides the triplets more evenly between the hands, eliminating finger crossing where possible.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 7, 2019Johannes Brahms, Violin Sonata (Op. 108), Michael Clark, avoid finger crossing, wide arpeggio, redistribution

BRAHMS | Sonata in D Minor for Piano and Violin, Op. 108: III. 17–24

“Taking one additional note in the right hand gives just enough time for a more secure left-hand leap.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 7, 2019Johannes Brahms, Violin Sonata (Op. 108), Michael Clark, facilitate leap, redistribution

BRAHMS | Sonata in D Minor for Piano and Violin, Op. 108: III. 113–19

“This redistribution is designed to achieve maximum legato.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 7, 2019Johannes Brahms, Violin Sonata (Op. 108), Share Middle Voice Between Hands, Michael Clark, double notes, improve legato, redistribution

BRAHMS | Sonata in D Minor for Piano and Violin, Op. 108: IV. mm. 176–78

“Taking the A as an octave with the right hand gives the left hand more time to shift to its new position.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/8/2022

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 7, 2019Johannes Brahms, Violin Sonata (Op. 108), Michael Clark, facilitate leap, redistributionComment

BRAHMS | Sonata in D Minor for Piano and Violin, Op. 108: IV. 182–86

“Taking some of the bottom notes of the treble staff into the left hand allows the right hand to remain in a more compact position.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 7, 2019Johannes Brahms, Violin Sonata (Op. 108), Michael Clark, avoid stretch, redistribution

BRAHMS | Sonata in F Minor for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120, No. 1: I. 1–4

Piano fingerings for Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120, No. 1, by Johannes Brahms

“Dividing these octaves between the hands facilitates legato without excessive pedal.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 2, 2019Johannes Brahms, Clarinet Sonata in F Minor (Op. 120/1), Michael Clark, split 3-voice octaves, redistribution, improve legato

BRAHMS | Sonata in F Minor for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120, No. 1: I. 29–35

Original:

Suggested performance:

“I prefer to avoid thumbs crossing when possible. Exchanging the inner notes eliminates the crowding.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 2, 2019Johannes Brahms, Clarinet Sonata in F Minor (Op. 120/1), Michael Clark, redistribution, avoid crowding

BRAHMS | Sonata in F Minor for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120, No. 1: I. 112–14

Original:

Suggested performance:

Piano fingerings for Sonata for Clarinet and Piano in F Minor, Op. 120, No. 1, by Johannes Brahms

Submitted by Michael Lenahan

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 2, 2019Johannes Brahms, Clarinet Sonata in F Minor (Op. 120/1), Michael Lenahan, avoid crowding, double notes, facilitate leap, redistribution

BRAHMS | Sonata in F Minor for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120, No. 1: I. 233–36

“After the left-hand thumb plays the F feels like a natural place to switch to the right hand.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 2, 2019Johannes Brahms, Clarinet Sonata in F Minor (Op. 120/1), Michael Clark, redistribution

BRAHMS | Sonata in F Minor for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120, No. 1: II. 49–52

“This redistribution allows the tied notes to be held without crossing over the thumb or finger substitutions.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 2, 2019Johannes Brahms, Clarinet Sonata in F Minor (Op. 120/1), Michael Clark, hand crossing, redistribution, facilitate tie, avoid finger crossing

BRAHMS | Sonata in F Minor for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120, No. 1: III. mm. 7–9

“The left hand is leaping anyway, so taking an extra note is not a big deal, and it frees the right up for an alternate fingering that better prepares for the following measure.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 2, 2019Johannes Brahms, Clarinet Sonata in F Minor (Op. 120/1), Michael Clark, redistribution

BRAHMS | Sonata in F Minor for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120, No. 1: III. 43–44

“The bottom notes of the treble staff naturally fall into left hand territory, facilitating an easier legato.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 2, 2019Johannes Brahms, Clarinet Sonata in F Minor (Op. 120/1), Michael Clark, redistribution, improve legato

BRAHMS | Sonata in F Minor for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120, No. 1: IV. 15–16

“I find it easier to take the last notes of these wide arpeggios in the right hand.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/1/2020

Chamber MusicMichael ClarkAugust 2, 2019Johannes Brahms, Clarinet Sonata in F Minor (Op. 120/1), Michael Clark, redistribution, wide arpeggio, avoid finger crossing