Word
fingering
Phoneticsfin·ger·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɪŋɡɝɪŋ/
UK/fˈɪŋɡəɹɪŋ/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. the way a musician uses their fingers to play a specific instrument. It can also mean the marks on a piece of music that tell you which finger to use.
n. the technique of using specific fingers to play notes on a musical instrument, or the notation indicating which fingers to use. Refers to both the physical action and the instructional markings on a score.
Examples
“The piano teacher corrected my fingering for the scale.”
“The complex passage in the violin concerto requires precise fingering to maintain the correct tempo and tone.”
“While the original manuscript lacks specific instructions, modern editions often include suggested fingering to assist performers with the rapid chromatic shifts required in the second movement.”
Examples
simple
“The piano teacher corrected my fingering for the scale.”
contextual
“The complex passage in the violin concerto requires precise fingering to maintain the correct tempo and tone.”
complex
“While the original manuscript lacks specific instructions, modern editions often include suggested fingering to assist performers with the rapid chromatic shifts required in the second movement.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the general technique; countable when referring to a specific set of finger choices for a passage.
Real-World Examples
“He made trans-Atlantic phone calls with [harpist] Mildred Dilling about fingering in a piece he wanted to get right.”
But the concert’s second half was what the packed house had paid $2.50 to hear.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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