# fingering

/ˈfɪŋɡɝɪŋ/ (US) · /fˈɪŋɡəɹɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fingering
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the general technique; countable when referring to a specific set of finger choices for a passage.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.