Using Single Finger Chords

This post is in response to an email request from a Member, who writes:

I am reading books on “ how to play keyboards” and in one book it suggests using the thumb of the left hand to play the C chord , in another book to use the little ( pinky ) finger to play the C chord so the thumb is on the G chord. I am playing single fingered chords. A third book just says use a single finger and move it up and down to the required chord. I have tried the 2 ways and now feel I am going backwards because I started using the thumb and then changed to the pinky ( little finger) . I am not progressing because I am so confused I have to sit and think about every note and chord. What was proving enjoyable is now frustrating and getting me down. What is the preferred method ? I want to adopt the correct method ( I appreciate I will not be playing multi fingered chords at my age – 62 - learning the basic notes and playing basic tunes on the keyboard is sufficient success and keeps me happy.) But I am now going backwards because of my confusion over which finger to use for single fingered chords. I don’t want to stop and I want to improve.
Can you tell me which is the preferred finger to use and is there a reason to use a particular finger for single fingered chords.

My Answer

There are no hard and fast rules about this and the reason for that is because different instrument manufacturers use various methods for triggering single fingered chords.

...and when there are no rules this can often cause confusion to reign. So, because we're talking about Technics keyboards here and also because I initially learned to play using single fingered chords, I'll give you my opinion on the subject, for Technics keyboards. I'm also not going to aim at getting you to play normally-formed chords because you didn't ask for that. Let it be enough that you develop some left hand finger dexterity and you can decide whether to move on to fingered chords later.

If other Members have other ideas they are very welcome to join in.

Technics uses the following method for single fingered chords:

- Play any one key and you'll hear the Major chord.
- Hold the first key and press any white key to the left and you'll hear the Major seventh chord.
- Hold the first key and press any black key to the left and you'll hear the minor chord.
- Hold the first key and press any white key PLUS any black key to the left and you'll hear the minor seventh chord.

So, you play a key to hear a chord and then you add white and black keys to the left to modify it. For this reason, you don't want to be using the leftmost C key on your keyboard because you won't be able to modify it.

The first rule, therefore, is to use the C key that is an octave up from the bottom of the keyboard whenever you want to play a C chord.

The two paragraphs above, therefore, lead you away from using your pinky finger for single fingered chords. If you use your pinky finger then you won't have any more fingers to the left that you can use to modify the chord!

When you're learning you will probably play many tunes on the key of C or A minor. So, the keys you will be using very often are C, G, F, A, E and D. It doesn't matter too much which fingers you use for the chord selection (other Members might disagree with me) but I'm going to suggest that you use your thumb or index finger.

When I was learning I started off using my thumb to press the 'chord' note, so that I had plenty of fingers available to press a black or white 'modifier' to the left.

Later, I found it easier to use my thumb or index finger, whichever happened to be closer to the 'chord' note. This just came naturally as I practised and my left hand became a little more flexible.

Whilst there are no hard and fast rules (really, you should make it up as you go along in a way that suits you best) I think that the above is a sensible start on Technics keyboards.

To take it further, ignore the bottom five keys of the keyboard from C to E and position your single fingered chords within the next octave of keys, from F to F. When you need to play an F, choose the easiest one to reach.

I hope the above helps you. Any suggestions from other Members?

Best wishes,
Mike

PS - On Technics Organs it is even easier to play single fingered chords. Press the note you want to hear the chord. Then, press any black bass pedal to hear a minor chord and press any white bass pedal to hear the Major seventh. Press any black and any white bass pedal at the same time to hear the minor seventh.