Piano Basics: Finger Numbers and Comfortable Hand Placement

Standard Finger Numbers (1–5) for Both Hands

Piano music often uses finger numbers to show which finger should play a note. The system is the same for both hands: 1–5, starting at the thumb and moving outward to the pinky.

When you see a small number above or below a note, it is usually one of these finger numbers. For example, 1 means thumb; 5 means pinky.

Quick mapping check

• Thumbs are always 1 (both hands).
• Pinkies are always 5 (both hands).
• Numbers increase as you move away from the thumb toward the pinky.

Placing the Hands Comfortably Near Middle C

This chapter focuses on a practical “home area” around middle C so you can practice finger numbers and basic patterns without stretching. You do not need to name every key to do this; you only need to locate middle C once (your teacher/book/keyboard label may help) and then stay in that area.

Right hand: five-finger position around middle C

Use this as a default starting point for many beginner patterns:

• Place Right-hand thumb (1) on middle C.
• Let the next fingers fall on the next white keys to the right: 2 on D, 3 on E, 4 on F, 5 on G.

Important: you are not “reaching” for these keys. Your hand should feel like it is resting over them, with fingers naturally curved.

Continue in our app.

• Listen to the audio with the screen off.
• Earn a certificate upon completion.
• Over 5000 courses for you to explore!

Or continue reading below...

Download the app

Left hand: nearby five-finger position

Place the left hand close enough that both hands feel balanced around the center of the keyboard:

• Place Left-hand pinky (5) on the white key one octave below middle C (the C below middle C).
• Let the other fingers fall on adjacent white keys to the right: 4 on D, 3 on E, 2 on F, 1 on G.

This keeps both hands in a comfortable range without crowding each other.

Thumb comfort rule (very important)

Thumbs are shorter and move differently than the other fingers. For a healthy setup in this position:

• Keep the thumb relaxed and slightly forward (closer to the fallboard/inside of the keys), not tucked under the palm.
• Play with the side pad of the thumb, not the thumbnail and not a collapsed joint.
• Avoid “hitchhiking” thumbs (thumb sticking up stiffly).

Micro-Exercises (No Tension, Small Movements)

These are short, structured drills. Do them slowly enough that your hand stays calm. If anything feels tight, stop and reset before continuing.

Micro-Exercise 1: Single-key finger taps (one hand at a time)

Goal: teach each finger to move independently while the hand stays quiet.

Setup: Choose one comfortable key under the hand (for example, middle C for the right hand; the C below middle C for the left hand). Keep the hand in place; only one finger moves at a time.

1. Rest all five fingertips lightly on their keys (do not press).
2. Pick one finger (start with 2 or 3 if that feels easiest).
3. Press the chosen key down gently and release. Keep the other fingers resting and calm.
4. Repeat 5 times with the same finger.
5. Move to the next finger until you have done 1–2–3–4–5.

What to listen/feel for:

• Each tap is the same volume (no “surprise loud” notes).
• Fingertips stay rounded; no collapsing knuckles.
• The wrist does not bob up and down with each tap.

Variation (control): Tap 5–4–3–2–1 as well. Many players tense on 4 and 5; this helps you notice it.

Micro-Exercise 2: Five-finger pattern on adjacent keys (right hand)

Goal: coordinate finger numbers with a simple pattern while keeping the hand relaxed.

Right hand position: 1 on C, 2 on D, 3 on E, 4 on F, 5 on G.

Play this pattern slowly:

RH: 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1

1. Play one note per beat at a slow, steady pace.
2. Keep fingertips close to the keys (avoid lifting fingers high).
3. After reaching 5, reverse smoothly without a pause or hand shift.

Easy dynamic control: repeat the pattern once softly, once medium, once softly again—without changing your body tension.

Micro-Exercise 3: Five-finger pattern on adjacent keys (left hand)

Goal: build left-hand comfort and finger independence (often slower to develop).

Left hand position: 5 on low C, 4 on D, 3 on E, 2 on F, 1 on G.

Play this pattern slowly:

LH: 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5

1. Let the left wrist feel “buoyant,” not pressed down.
2. Keep the thumb (1) relaxed when it plays G; avoid twisting the wrist inward.
3. Return to 5 with the same calm motion (no rushing the last notes).

Micro-Exercise 4: Hands together (only if both hands stay relaxed)

Goal: align finger numbers and timing while maintaining comfort.

Use the same five-finger positions described above. Play both hands at the same time, one note per beat:

RH: 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1
LH: 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5

If hands together creates tension, return to hands separately and try again later at a slower speed.

Technique Checkpoints (Self-Scan While You Play)

Use these checkpoints during every micro-exercise. Pause every 10–20 seconds to scan quickly.

Checkpoint 1: Quiet shoulders

• Healthy sign: shoulders feel heavy and neutral, not lifted.
• If tension appears: stop playing, let arms hang for a moment, then place hands back on the keys without raising the shoulders.

Checkpoint 2: Floating wrists (not rigid, not collapsed)

• Healthy sign: wrist feels level and “springy,” allowing tiny adjustments.
• If tension appears: gently circle the wrist once (small circle), then resume with smaller finger motion and slower tempo.

Checkpoint 3: Even fingertip contact

• Healthy sign: each finger contacts the key with a similar rounded shape; sound is even.
• If tension appears: reduce volume, keep fingers closer to the keys, and aim for a lighter touch. Often the hand tenses because the fingers are lifting too high.

Checkpoint 4: Relaxed thumb position

• Healthy sign: thumb moves easily without the palm twisting; thumb joint stays soft.
• If tension appears: slide the thumb slightly forward on the key surface (toward the inside of the keyboard) and check that the wrist is not turning inward.

Checkpoint 5: Minimal “extra motion”

• Healthy sign: only the playing finger moves; the rest of the hand stays stable.
• If tension appears: practice the same pattern at half speed and whisper-soft, focusing on stillness in the non-playing fingers.

Common Tension Patterns and Simple Fixes

Problem: Ring finger (4) feels weak or stiff

• What it looks like: 4 lifts too high or presses too hard; wrist stiffens.
• Fix: play 3–4–3–4 slowly on adjacent keys, very softly, keeping 3 and 4 close to the keys. Stop after 10 seconds and shake out the hand.

Problem: Pinky (5) collapses or pokes

• What it looks like: fingertip joint bends backward; tone becomes harsh.
• Fix: place 5 on its key and hold it down gently for 2 seconds while keeping the fingertip rounded, then release. Repeat 5 times, staying soft.

Problem: Wrist locks when playing the thumb (1)

• What it looks like: wrist dips or twists; thumb presses with effort.
• Fix: play only the thumb note 5 times at a quiet volume, feeling the thumb move from its base (near the palm) rather than jabbing from the tip. Keep the wrist level.

Problem: You hold your breath during patterns

• What it looks like: shoulders rise; sound becomes uneven.
• Fix: breathe out slowly during the first half of the pattern and in during the second half. Keep the tempo slow enough that breathing feels natural.