F to D# transition

[darrell]

Still working on those scales.. I've got C, G, D, A, E, B and now I'm working on the F# scale.

Does anyone have any suggestions for the F to D# transition. As you know this requires one to quickly place three fingers of the right hand down at "precisely" the same time to get a clean note.

As much as my fingers are trying, I always seem to "ripple" the fingers.

The C to D transition is much easier because all the keys have basically the same tension. With this transition, one needs to use the pinky (weakest finger) to press the lower D# key, which has the most tension. Result is that it's always lagging behind the others.

What did you guys do to clean this up, or do you just live with it, or just decide not to play this sequence legato?

d

 

[jonf]

It'll come with practice. I think the key (no pun intended) to this is avoiding flyaway fingers. Although I wouldn't suggest gluing your fingers to the keys (as some slightly more eccentric musicians may have done inthe past..... 😉 ), keeping your fingers close to the keys will help you get them down simultaneously.

 

[Bobby G]

I'm not 100% about this, but I think the left pinky on the D#/Eb key can be left where it is when playing the F so you'd only have to worry about covering the D and E keys simultaneously.

I think there are actually quite a lot of notes that can be hit cleanly and in tune while leaving 'wrong' fingers on other keys depending on where you are going next to keep finger movement to a minimum (a good thing), and sax-o-glue is also a good thing - again, minimum finger movement is what you're after.

Cheers, Bob

 

[griff136]

Bobby G wrote:
I'm not 100% about this, but I think the left pinky on the D#/Eb key can be left where it is when playing the F so you'd only have to worry about covering the D and E keys simultaneously....



Cheers, Bob

I think Bob means the right pinky for the D#.

For the scale of F# major as well as E major and B major I keep both the G# key and the D# key depressed and only lift them when there is either a D or G natural or when I am playing below low D#.

I will come with practice. keep at it - we all need practice.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Sorry to be pedantic, but annoying and perverse as it might see, the F in F# should be called E#.

It all makes sense when you come to study a bit of theory, but often you can go through life quite happily with F in the key of F#.

 

[darrell]

yes! you are exactly correct. I should have caught that.

🙂

 

[Bobby G]

You're right, Griff, I did mean the right pinky for the Eb key. Using the left hand pinky is a bit of a stretch.

Cheers, Bob

 

[Linky Lee]

Oh no! Didn't you mean D# key Bobby? Quick edit before the Pete Police arrives 😛

I find if you never let your fingers leave the key cups you can make most changes much much easier.

 

[Linky Lee]

Oh no! Didn't you mean D# key Bobby? Quick edit before the Pete Police arrives 😛

I find if you never let your fingers leave the key cups you can make most changes much much easier.