Fingering Annotations
Mark which finger to use for each note directly on the sheet music. Build consistent muscle memory by practicing the same fingering every time.
Quick Overview
- ✓ Dedicated edit mode — Tap the "Fingering" button to enter edit mode, then tap notes and assign fingers
- ✓ Standard notation — Numbers 1-5 where 1 = thumb and 5 = pinky (same for both hands)
- ✓ Auto-save — Fingerings are saved automatically per piece and persist between sessions
- ✓ Easy editing — Change fingerings by selecting a new number, or remove with the backspace button
1 Understanding Finger Numbers
Piano fingering uses the same numbering system worldwide, for both hands:
| Number | Finger | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thumb | Shortest finger; typically stays on white keys |
| 2 | Index | Often used for black keys |
| 3 | Middle | Longest finger; reaches black keys easily |
| 4 | Ring | Often the weakest; benefits from practice |
| 5 | Pinky | Shortest; typically stays on white keys |
Why fingering matters: Using consistent fingering builds muscle memory. If you use different fingers each time you practice, your hands never develop automatic responses—making the piece harder to memorize and perform.
2 Entering Fingering Edit Mode
Fingering annotations are added in a dedicated edit mode, separate from practice:
- Open any piece in the practice view
- Tap the "Fingering" button in the top-right corner (piano icon). The button text changes to "Done" to indicate you're in edit mode.
- A toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen with navigation controls and finger number buttons
Note: While in fingering edit mode, practice mode is paused. Tap "Done" when finished to return to practice.
3 Adding a Fingering
Once in edit mode, adding fingerings is straightforward:
- Tap on a note in the sheet music. A yellow selection box appears around the note, and the toolbar shows which note you've selected (e.g., "1/541").
- Tap a finger number (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) in the bottom toolbar. The number appears on the notehead immediately.
- The cursor auto-advances to the next note, ready for you to assign another fingering.
The Fingering Toolbar
The bottom toolbar has two rows:
- Top row: ◀ ▶ navigation buttons, note counter with progress bar, Undo button, Backspace button
- Bottom row: Five finger buttons labeled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Navigating Between Notes
Use the ◀ and ▶ buttons to move to the previous or next note. You can also tap directly on any note to select it.
4 Editing and Removing Fingerings
To Change a Fingering
Navigate to the note (tap it or use ◀ ▶), then tap the new finger number. The old fingering is replaced instantly.
To Remove a Fingering
Navigate to the note, then tap the backspace button (⌫) in the toolbar. The fingering is removed from that note.
To Undo a Change
Tap the Undo button (↶) to reverse your last action. You can undo up to 50 recent changes within the current session.
No "clear all" option: To remove all fingerings from a piece, you'll need to delete them one by one using the backspace button. This prevents accidental loss of work.
5 How Fingerings Appear
Position
Finger numbers appear directly on the notehead as small, bold digits. They're positioned to be readable without obscuring the note.
Size
Numbers scale with your zoom level. If you zoom in, fingerings get larger; zoom out and they get smaller—always proportional to the notation.
Color
Fingering numbers match your current theme: black on light backgrounds, white on dark backgrounds, and an appropriate tone for sepia mode.
Selection Indicator
When editing, the currently selected note has a yellow box around it, making it easy to see which note you're about to annotate.
6 Saving and Persistence
Your fingering annotations are saved automatically:
Auto-Save
Fingerings save automatically as you work. There's a brief delay (about half a second) to batch rapid changes, but you don't need to manually save anything.
Per-Piece Storage
Fingerings are linked to the piece content, not the file location. If you move or rename the file, your fingerings stay intact. If you import the same piece again, your existing fingerings will be there.
Survives App Restarts
Close the app, restart your device—your fingerings will still be there when you come back.
Backup and Restore
Fingerings are included when you export your library backup (.crescendo.json). Restore the backup on a new device to transfer all your annotations.
Uninstalling the app: If you uninstall Crescendo, your fingerings will be deleted along with all app data. Export a backup first if you want to preserve your work.
Fingering Tips
Decide fingering before you start practicing
It's much harder to change fingering after you've already practiced with inconsistent fingers. Take a few minutes to work out your fingering when you first learn a piece—it will save time in the long run.
You don't have to follow printed fingerings exactly
Editorial fingerings are written for an "average" hand that doesn't exist. What works for one pianist may not work for you, depending on your hand size and finger proportions.
Use printed fingerings as a starting point, but don't hesitate to modify them. The "correct" fingering is the one that works comfortably and consistently for your hands.
Shorter fingers on longer (white) keys
Your thumb (1) and pinky (5) are shorter, so they naturally rest on white keys. Your index (2), middle (3), and ring (4) fingers are longer and reach black keys more easily.
In melodic passages, try to avoid putting your thumb on black keys—it moves your whole hand forward and makes the next white key harder to reach. (Exception: chords often require thumb on black keys.)
Be consistent once you decide
Once you've chosen a fingering for a passage, commit to it. Using the same fingering every time you practice builds automatic muscle memory. Changing fingering randomly prevents your hands from ever becoming truly comfortable with the piece.
Ask a teacher about difficult passages
If you're struggling to find comfortable fingering for a tricky passage, a piano teacher can often suggest alternatives you wouldn't think of. Experienced teachers have encountered most fingering challenges before.
Troubleshooting
The Fingering button is grayed out
Make sure you have a piece loaded in practice view. The fingering button is only active when viewing a score.
I tapped a note but nothing happened
Make sure you're in fingering edit mode (the button should say "Done"). In regular practice mode, tapping the score navigates the cursor, not fingering.
Also, try tapping directly on the notehead itself, not the stem or surrounding space.
My fingerings disappeared after reinstalling the app
Uninstalling the app deletes all local data, including fingerings. This is standard behavior for mobile apps.
To preserve fingerings before uninstalling, export a library backup from Settings. You can restore this backup after reinstalling to recover your annotations.
Can I add multiple fingerings to notes in a chord?
Yes. Each note in a chord can have its own fingering. Tap on each notehead individually and assign a finger number. The system treats each note independently.
Still Need Help?
If you have questions about fingering annotations or encounter issues not covered here, we're happy to help.
Response time: 2-3 business days