I heard that Mozart and before did not use the thumb in playing the piano. if so when did the use of the thumb begin and how the playing must have sounded by Bach. etal using only the four fingers. Am I off base here?? thanks Jim

-- Jim Bennett (warda02@shaw.ca), December 10, 2004

Answers

I am not a music historian; however, my understanding is that the thumb and 4th finger were avoided before the time of Bach.

-- Alice Dearden (alicedearden@look.ca), December 11, 2004.

Sorry, meant 5th finger, of course.

-- Alice Dearden (alicedearden@look.ca), December 12, 2004.