HOW TO CHOOSE RIGHT-HAND FINGERINGS ON THE CLASSICAL GUITAR
By Douglas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt. All Rights Reserved.
This article may be reprinted, but please be considerate and give credit to Douglas Niedt.
Arpeggio-Style Fingering
- Assign fingers to specific strings: "i" plays notes that fall on 3rd string, "m" plays notes that fall on 2nd string, "a" plays notes that fall on 1st string (can be adapted to inner strings).
- Often a good choice for passages with consecutive string changes.
- It can also be used for non-arpeggio style passages and for intervals on non-adjacent and adjacent strings.
Limitations of traditional arpeggio fingering:
- Can create uneven tone due to the brighter sound of the "a" finger.
- Changing fingers may cause uneven tone in melodic passages
- Can be awkward in certain passages due to finger independence issues
Alternative approaches to arpeggio fingering:
- Use "m" for all melody notes to achieve a more consistent, smoother, more tonally-even tone.
- Use "a" for all melody notes if it's the dominant finger.
- Avoid the "a" finger to reduce hand tension and increase speed. Some pieces benefit from eliminating or reducing the use of the "a" finger for comfort and speed.
Avoid the "a" Finger
Rationale: Limited independence between "m" and "a" can lead to tension and sluggishness.
Solutions:
- Eliminate "a" altogether in certain passages to improve speed and reduce tension.
- Reduce "a" usage to minimize awkward jumps and improve fluidity.
String Crossings are Very Important when Choosing Right-Hand Fingerings:
- Aim for good string crossings (lower to higher: i-m, m-a, i-a; higher to lower: m-i, a-m, a-i).
- Start fingering from where a string cross is and work backward, prioritizing good string crosses and alternation. Sometimes you can add slurs to produce good string crosses.
- Adding a slur can turn a bad string cross into a good one.
- Changing the left-hand fingering can also turn a bad string cross into a good one.
Right-Hand Fingerings for Fast Scales
- Traditional fingering is "im"; some prefer "ia."
- A modern right-hand fingering for extremely fast scales is “ami.”
- Try for as many good string crossings as possible for optimal performance.
- Test different right-hand fingerings with speed bursts to see which works best.
Right-Hand Thumb vs. Right-Hand Fingers on Wound Bass Strings
- Using the thumb often produces a fuller, rounder tone on the bass strings due to its angle of attack.
- Using fingers ("i", "m", or "a") can result in a thinner, scratchier sound.
- The decision depends on the desired tone, speed of the passage, and ease of play.
Thumb-Index Fingerings
- Common in lute playing; some guitarists use it for fast scales.
- Easier execution but may lack the desired sound quality. Unsuitable for passages requiring a strong, percussive attack.
- Effective in certain contexts, like some of the fast scales in J. S. Bach’s Chaconne or the fast notes on alternate bass strings as in Canarios by Gaspar Sanz.
Right-Hand Fingering Options for Playing 5 and 6-Note Chords
- Strum with thumb or roll using "ppima" or "pppim".
- Use the right-hand little finger. Allows player to play the notes of a five-note chord simultaneously as required in many works by Villa-Lobos.
Intervals on Adjacent Bass Strings
- Use "p" and another finger to play the notes simultaneously.
- Use a double thumb stroke for a better tone or to emphasize one of the notes.
Right-Hand Fingering for Harmonics
- For natural harmonics, use the right-hand fingers to pluck the treble strings and thumb for bass strings
- For right-hand harmonics, artificial harmonics, and cascading harmonics, use "p" or the "a" finger depending on string type and personal skill.
Right-Hand fingering for the Tremolo
- The "pami" pattern is traditional but difficult to play evenly
- Alternatives like "pimi" or "pmim" can be more even but may cause finger fatigue and may not be as fast as “pami.”
Right-Hand Fingering Options for Playing 5 and 6-Note Chords
- Strum with thumb or roll using "ppima" or "pppim".
- Use the right-hand little finger. Allows player to play the notes of a five-note chord simultaneously as required in many works by Villa-Lobos.
Importance of Writing Down Right-Hand Fingerings
- Helps you keep track as you experiment with different options.
- Helps you remember and consistently apply chosen fingerings.
- Helps recall fingerings after breaks and under performance stress.
Often, there is no one correct right-hand fingering.Experimednt with different options to find what feel most natural and produces the desired sound.
In fast passages, test different right-hand fingerings with speed bursts to see which works best.