Piano Fingerings Database

PRICE | Two Busy Little Hands: mm. 25–28

“These notes fall naturally into the left hand’s position.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 9/3/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 30, 2017Florence Price, Two Busy Little Hands, Michael Clark, redistribution, reduce position shifts, reduce reach across bodyComment

PRICE | Hilda's Waltz: mm. 27–29

“Taking the C and B with the right hand allows the left hand to sustain the bass note for its full value.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 10/14/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 30, 2017Florence Price, Hilda's Waltz, Michael Clark, redistribution, sustain bass note, Share Middle Voice Between HandsComment

PRICE | Hilda's Waltz: mm. 55–58

“Taking the E in the right hand assists with maintaining legato in all lines.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 10/14/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 30, 2017Florence Price, Hilda's Waltz, Michael Clark, redistribution, Share Middle Voice Between Hands, improve legato, facilitate polyphonyComment

PRICE | Impromptu No. 1: mm. 106–7

“This fingering minimizes the shifts between in each chord in this quick and thickly written passage.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 10/14/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 30, 2017Florence Price, Impromptu No. 1 in A Major, Michael Clark, fingering only, reduce position shifts, thumb on two notesComment

PRICE | Pensive Mood: mm. 1–3

“Taking the first notes of the lower voices in the right hand facilitates a smoother legato in those lines.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 9/5/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 30, 2017Florence Price, Pensive Mood, Michael Clark, redistribution, improve legato, reduce position shiftsComment

PRICE | In the Land O' Cotton: I. At the Cotton Gin: mm. 14–17

“This fingering approach prioritizes a sustained legato melody by transferring some of the alto notes to the left hand.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 9/6/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 29, 2017Florence Price, In the Land O' Cotton, Michael Clark, redistribution, improve legato, avoid stretchComment

PRICE | In the Land O' Cotton: I. At the Cotton Gin: mm. 34–38

“I take some of the alto notes into the left hand when they get out of comfortable reach of the soprano line.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 9/6/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 29, 2017Florence Price, In the Land O' Cotton, Michael Clark, redistribution, avoid stretch, improve legatoComment

PRICE | In the Land O' Cotton: I. At the Cotton Gin: mm. 44–47

“Taking a few of the left-hand notes in the right hand helps these quick-moving chords to feel more secure.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 9/6/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 29, 2017Florence Price, In the Land O' Cotton, Michael Clark, redistribution, divide more evenly between handsComment

PRICE | In the Land O' Cotton: I. At the Cotton Gin: mm.

“I find playing the final chord with two thumbs provides both the greatest security and the most brilliant sound for this climactic moment.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 9/6/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 29, 2017Florence Price, In the Land O' Cotton, Michael Clark, redistribution, final chord, maximize powerComment

PRICE | In the Land O' Cotton: II. Dreaming: mm. 6–7

“This is my solution to keep the long notes sustaining without blurring the pedal. I finger pedal the bass C for the last two beats of m. 6”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 9/6/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 29, 2017Florence Price, In the Land O' Cotton, Michael Clark, redistribution, facilitate clearer pedaling, reduce position shifts, sustain bass noteComment

PRICE | In the Land O' Cotton: II. Dreaming: mm. 8–9

“The right hand is already situated with the thumb on the G, so it can easily take up the eighth-note line there. This also facilitates finger pedaling the E-flat bass note if desired.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 9/6/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 29, 2017Florence Price, In the Land O' Cotton, Michael Clark, redistribution, reduce position shifts, sustain bass noteComment

PRICE | In the Land O' Cotton: II. Dreaming: mm. 16–17

“The right hand is already situated with the thumb on the G, so it can easily take up the eighth-note line there. This also facilitates finger pedaling the E-flat bass note if desired.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 9/6/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 29, 2017Florence Price, In the Land O' Cotton, Michael Clark, redistribution, reduce position shifts, sustain bass noteComment

PRICE | In the Land O' Cotton: II. Dreaming: mm. 21–22

“Taking the D with the right-hand thumb allows me to sustain the bass note G a little longer.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 9/6/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 29, 2017Florence Price, In the Land O' Cotton, Michael Clark, redistribution, sustain bass note, reduce position shiftsComment

PRICE | In the Land O' Cotton: II. Dreaming: mm. 24–26

“I prioritize maintaining a legato fingering for the top line of the right-hand sixths. Taking the A-flat into the left in m. 26 facilitate better legato in the right hand.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 9/6/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 29, 2017Florence Price, In the Land O' Cotton, Michael Clark, redistribution, divide more evenly between hands, improve legatoComment

PRICE | Scherzo in G Major: mm. 110–14

“I divide the fourths between the hands in this way to maximize power and ensure accuracy by removing the need for the right hand to cross into a new position.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/5/2024

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 29, 2017Florence Price, Scherzo in G Major, Michael Clark, redistribution, maximize power, reduce position shifts, avoid finger crossingComment

PRICE | In the Land O' Cotton: II. Dreaming: mm. 28–29

“Taking the Cs in the right hand saves the left hand from a few awkward position shifts.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 9/6/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 29, 2017Florence Price, In the Land O' Cotton, Michael Clark, redistribution, reduce position shiftsComment

PRICE | Scherzo in G Major: mm. 65–68

“I share this figure between the hands as Price indicates until m. 67 which I prefer to play mostly in the right hand for greater control of sound and articulation. This also ensures the left hand G can be played with a strong finger.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/5/2024

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 29, 2017Florence Price, Scherzo in G Major, Michael Clark, redistribution, use stronger fingers, facilitate articulationComment

PRICE | In the Land O' Cotton: III. Song without Words: mm. 5–6

“Taking the upper notes of the lower staff into the right hand relieves the left hand from needing to roll or stretch.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 9/5/2023

Solo PianoMichael ClarkJuly 29, 2017Florence Price, In the Land O' Cotton, redistribution, avoid stretch, avoid roll, Michael ClarkComment