Check out this video explaining “Finger Numbers for Playing Piano.”
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Transcript:
So, let’s talk fingers. Fingers are kind of important for playing piano, don’t you think?
The fingers of both hands are numbered 1 thru 5. Thumbs are number 1, index fingers are number 2, middle finger is number 3, ring fingers are 4, pinkies are 5.
These numbers are important because it tells you the position for all of the fingers for that hand on the keys. For example, if it says your right hand number 1 is on C, it’s implying number 2 on D, 3 on E, number 4 on F and number 5 on G.
Now for your left hand, if it says number 1 on c, it’s telling you number 2 is on b, number 3 is on a, number 4 on g, and number 5 on f.
Now you want to hold your fingers curled, like you’re holding a ball, this places all of your fingertips at about the same place on the key tops. Don’t lay them flat, because your thumbs end up way out here and they’re kind of useless there.
Alright, sit comfortably at the keys with a straight back and your arms slightly in front of you, and of course, curling your fingertips. Now I say this, even though I’ve been known to have a slouched back at the end of a late night jazz gig.