Are finger numbers important while learning to play the piano? Keep reading for the answer to this question and a few others!
Your child’s teacher might be writing numbers next to the notes on their music. Are finger numbers important while learning to play the piano?
First of all, it is important to know why finger numbers are used. In this article, Martin Carline does a great job explaining this.
Are finger numbers important while learning to play the piano?
Short Answer
Yes!
Long Answer
There are two reasons why finger numbers are important. The first is that teaching finger numbers from the beginning helps children to be in the habit of using the correct fingering, which is essential as they advance into more complicated repertoire that relies heavily on perfect fingering.
What is fingering? Why are finger numbers important while learning to play the piano?
Fingering means using a specific finger to play a specific note.
The second reason fingering is important is because reading music is about reading intervals and direction.
What are intervals?
Intervals are the distance between notes.
Finger numbers help children to recognize these intervals and the direction the notes are going, which will set them up for better sight reading in the future.
So, are finger numbers important while learning to play the piano?
Yes! Absolutely. They are not a crutch and can actually help your child to learn how to read faster and more efficient than methods that don’t use finger numbers.
Sign your child up for their first course of online piano lessons at Piano Prep Academy today to get them started on the right track to learning about finger numbers on the piano!