Piano Fingerings Database

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Rigaudon: mm. 18–19

Piano fingerings for Rigaudon from Le Tombeau de Couperin by Maurice Ravel

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 118.

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Rigaudon, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, reduce position shifts, divide more evenly between handsComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Rigaudon: m. 23

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 118.

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Rigaudon, reduce position shiftsComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Rigaudon: m. 35

Piano fingerings for Rigaudon from Le Tombeau de Couperin

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 118.

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Rigaudon, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, avoid roll, avoid stretchComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Menuet: mm. 1–3

Piano fingerings for Menuet from Le Tombeau de Couperin by Maurice Ravel

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 63, 119.

62: “Careful control of dynamics and voicing is an integral factor to the shaping of Ravel's melodies…. When the left hand plays some of the notes on the upper staff, the right hand can better balance the harmony while expressively shaping the melodic line. The ear must always be aware of the voice-leading indicated by the composer.”

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Menuet, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, improve voicing, facilitate ornament, use stronger fingersComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Menuet: mm. 9–12

Piano fingerings for Menuet by Maurice Ravel

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 63, 119.

62: “Careful control of dynamics and voicing is an integral factor to the shaping of Ravel's melodies…. When the left hand plays some of the notes on the upper staff, the right hand can better balance the harmony while expressively shaping the melodic line. The ear must always be aware of the voice-leading indicated by the composer.”

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Menuet, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, facilitate ornament, improve voicing, use stronger fingersComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Menuet: mm. 15–18

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 119.

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Menuet, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, improve voicing, improve legato, isolate melodyComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Menuet: mm. 19–21

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 119.

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Menuet, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, improve voicing, improve legatoComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Menuet: mm. 33–60

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 58, 120.

57–58: “Dividing notes between the hands in order to attain legato fingering may enhance the pianist's musical efforts. The entire middle section of the ‘Menuet’ illustrates the difficulty of voicing and phrasing sensitively the melodic harmonies played by the left and right hands. By diminishing some of the vertical motion required in playing the chords as they are scored, the pianist can better control the voicing of the octave melody and sustain the long phrases of sonority.”

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Menuet, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, improve voicing, improve legatoComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Menuet: mm. 81–84

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 121.

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Menuet, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, improve voicing, facilitate ornament, use stronger fingersComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Menuet: mm. 85–88

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 121.

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Menuet, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, improve legato, use stronger fingers, improve voicingComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Menuet: mm. 90–92

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 121.

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Menuet, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, reduce position shifts, uncross, avoid crowding, improve voicing, improve legato, use stronger fingersComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Menuet: mm. 120–21

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 121.

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Menuet, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, divide more evenly between hands, avoid stretchComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Menuet: mm. 126–28

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 51, 121.

50: “Ravel experimented with the effect which is produced when two harmonies are repeated in rapid succession at the softest dynamic level possible. Divisi fingering allows the pianist to easily coordinate the rapid alternation of the two sonorities…”
51: “The same technique may be used for the double-note trill at the end of the ‘Menuet,’ in order to preserve the sounding intervals of a third. If the right hand depresses the final notes of the trill, as marked, the left hand is free to depress silently the bass notes as the pedal clears all vibrations extraneous to the tonic harmony.”

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Menuet, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, trill, facilitate clearer pedaling, alternating hands, tremoloComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Toccata: mm. 5–8

Piano fingerings for Toccata from Le Tombeau de Couperin by Maurice Ravel

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 30, 122.

30: “Example 11 illustrates measures from the ‘Toccata’ where repetitive shifts of the thumb can be partially averted with divisi fingering.”

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Toccata, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, divide more evenly between hands, break up running passage, avoid stretch, reduce position shiftsComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Toccata: mm. 11–13

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 37, 122.

37: “Pianists with small hands find that their speed and accuracy are particularly affected by the tension that builds during prolonged passages requiring an extended hand position. The ‘Toccata’ is very challenging for this reason. In Example 18, the left hand can easily help the right hand by sharing the notes on the upper staff.

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Toccata, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, divide more evenly between hands, break up running passage, repeated notes, reduce position shiftsComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Toccata: mm. 21–22

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 122.

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Toccata, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, break up running passage, reduce position shifts, divide more evenly between handsComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Toccata: mm. 35–39

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 24, 122.

24: “In Example 2, the left hand is conveniently located to play some of the notes on the upper staff so that the right hand remains extended to play the parallel chords.”

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Toccata, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, reduce position shifts, avoid finger crossing, divide more evenly between hands, break up running passageComment

RAVEL | Le Tombeau de Couperin: Toccata: m. 41

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/5/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 123.

Solo Piano, Special CollectionMichael ClarkApril 10, 2017Maurice Ravel, Le Tombeau de Couperin, LTdC Toccata, Dorothy Brandwein, redistribution, reduce position shiftsComment