Finger Flashcards
Lesson Book page 4
- Playing fingers in succession
- Often-used finger patterns
what's new
- Playing finger patterns in a steady rhythm
- Playing finger patterns with a rounded hand shape
what's important
let's get started
- Get your fingers moving! Here are six flashcards with peppy patterns for each hand.
- (Fingers on the fallboard or a table) Let's try Flashcard 1. Which hand? Four times around. Say the numbers!
1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4 - Here goes Flashcard 2 … 3 … 4. March those fingers!
- Are you fingertips tip-top? Check for a rounded hand shape. Try playing with a duet. Say finger numbers four times with gusto! (See video and download duet)
Fingering is often a matter of using established patterns.
explore and create
Flipping Flashcards
Play one pattern four times, then I'll point to the next while you're on the fourth turn. Change to the new one without missing a beat!Flashcard Whiz
Play one pattern twice, then I'll point to the next. Keep the beat! Keep saying the numbers!Flashcard Daredevil
Play a pattern once, then I'll point to the next. Both hands ready. Here we go!Flashcard Magician
Play matching flashcards hands together! (mirror image)Flashcard Olympics
No hopping off the finger. Stay on the mat! Firm fingertips rate a high score! Can you get a Perfect Ten?
Finger "warm-ups" get fingers ready for what's to come.
pedagogy pointers
Knowing finger numbers is the first step in getting fingers to move in succession.
Fingering is often a matter of using established patterns, so it's useful to prepare the student to think in that way, and to experience these patterns in the hand before needing to play them on the keyboard.
For most young students, finger independence develops only gradually because it requires finer control of small muscles and joints.
Finger "warm-ups" get fingers ready for what's to come.