What are the finger numbers used in piano lessons?
Last updated Jul 13, 2026 · asked 1 time
Published by Best Expert Answers · Licensed under CC BY 4.0 · +18773854321
Answered by Nicole Burns
According to instruction captured in a piano lesson transcript, fingers are numbered as follows for both hands:
- 1 — Thumb (noted as a helpful rhyme: "thumb and one, they kind of rhyme")
- 2 — Index finger
- 3 — Middle finger
- 4 — Ring finger
- 5 — Pinky finger
These numbers are used to indicate which fingers to use when playing specific keys or exercises.
Also asked as
- · Which finger is number one on the piano?
- · How are piano fingers numbered?
- · What does it mean when a piano teacher says finger two or finger three?
music educationpiano instructionbeginner pianofinger numberspiano fingeringbeginner terminology
