There are beginner piano books begin by introducing five notes
i.e. CDEFG in right hand (RH) and CBAGF in left (LH) by using
the same fingers position such as on RH note C played by thumb,
D played by index finger, etc. On LH note C played by thumb, B
played by index finger, so on. I called as "five fingers same
position".
The benefit is before added the new note, beginners have
practiced some similar exercises so they, especially kids will
not confused by rhythm, names and positions of notes.
Because of many exercises that using the same fingers position,
mostly kids tend to read the fingers numbers as notes positions.
For instance, they mean no. 1 on RH is C - always played by
thumb, no. 2 is D - always played by index finger and so on,
likewise on LH.
In early lessons, students seem fluently in notes reading but
the problem comes when start playing pieces with no "five
fingers same position".
If students have to use "five fingers same position" books, as
teachers, we have to explain from the first lesson that one note
can be played by any fingers and fingers numbers are never
changed such as on RH no.1 always for thumb, no. 2 always for
index finger and so on, likewise on LH.
To make students remember the fingers numbers quickly, we can
ask them to play as fast as they can such as "Play C with finger
number 1. Now play C with finger number 2 and so on". The kids
will love this fun game! Then ask them play the same piece with
any fingers by writing a new fingering on their book. For
instance, for RH play C with finger number 2, D with finger
number 3 and so on.
There is no perfect method in notes reading, as teachers, we can
only find the suitable one for each student by merging one
method with another. I prefer using "five fingers same position"
book at first lesson by using any kinds of fingers positions,
not just as written in book.
It is much benefit and easier to learn right at first than
re-learn after made mistakes. However, if students have made
misunderstandings on notes reading, no matter with our
‘own’ students that have been taking lessons with us
since their first day on piano lesson or transferred ones, just
do not ever blame them, their old teachers (for transferred
ones) and ourselves especially beginner teachers. It will not
make notes reading of students better.
The solution is re-teaching them as first lesson. Of course, it
needs much time, patiently and often rather difficult to train
‘a new habit’. The students could be frustrate and
complain but with fun game as I mentioned above, kids usually
enjoy the lesson again. If happens on teens or adults (so far, I
never found yet), we can support them by positive words so that
they have ‘new spirit’ to continue their lesson.
Moreover, as teachers, we should not ever stop learning.
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