Daniel,
these general rules can only be applied for single note runs, which
are not normally a problem. When playing more than one voice
("chords"), the fingering depends on what is before and after the chord.
The best solution, obviously, is a teacher. It might however be
difficult to find one depending on where you live. Unfortunately, I am
not at all familiar with beginner's lute tutors. I remember however,
that I had lots of easy lute pieces in my guitar scores, in the old
tuning and with very good fingerings. If you cannot find such fingered
music, you'l have to figure out yourself, which may be a bit
frightening first, but is in fact not impossible. You do want to have
smooth movements and avoid stretches if possible. This is what Mathias
means, leaving one finger out helps in keeping the left hand relaxed.
I could finger a few pieces for you, if you send me a scan.
Gernot
On 09.05.2008, at 17:46, Mathias Rösel wrote:
"Ed Durbrow" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> schrieb:
On May 9, 2008, at 5:04 AM, Daniel Ramey wrote:
Are there any general rules for fingering position with the
left hand?
I tend to use my pointer finger for the second fret and my middle
for the
third, but I find it difficult when I have two or three positions I
need to
have depressed, that are on the same fret and vertically far apart.
Very, very, general rules: 1st finger 1st fret, 2nd finger 2nd fret
3rd finger 3rd fret, but 4th finger 3rd fret on 1st and 2nd strings.
As for baroque lute, I'd certainly prefer patterns like
1st fret 1st finger, 2nd fret 3rd finger
or
2nd fret 2nd finger, 3rd fret 4th finger
or
1st fret 1st finger, 3rd fret 4th finger.
Find it useful on the renaissance lute, too.
Mathias
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