Abm6 fingering?

[SMcD]

Greetings, fellow ivory-tinklers!

 

My big band's got a gig tomorrow at a University Swing Dance event, and we're doing "Sing Sing Sing" by Benny Goodman. The song's generally not too tough on piano - most of the first 75% of the song or so is just little bluesy fills (in fact, I hardly hear any piano at all in the recording!)

 

My difficulty is at the end of the song - the big climactic finish with the alternating Am6 and Abm6 shots. In my right hand, I double the clarinet line (which is what I seem to hear the piano doing in the recording) and in my left hand, I grab some rootless voicings on the shots with the rest of the band. The voicings I use are:

 

F#-C-E for the Am6, and F-Cb-Eb for the Abm6 - just sliding back and forth a half-step between the chords.

 

The specific problem I'm having is with the Abm6 voicing - using my thumb on the Eb puts my wrist at a weird angle with the F and Cb below so I can't get enough power out of it (And this section of the song needs some serious "punch"), but using my index on the Eb stretches my fingers in an inefficient way.

 

So, my question is: how would you guys finger this voicing? Any help/tips are greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

[Dave Ferris]

I'd use 5-2-1 in the LH for both chords. As far as the "weird angle", I'd have to see what you're doing but your hand position may not be right or off kilter.

 

There's a greater economy of motion using the 5-2-1 on both chords as opposed to 5-3-2 on the Abm. If it were a ballad or Chopin type piece were you really needed a legato sound with the LH chords, perhaps I would opt for the 5-3-2 then.

[marino]

5-2-1 *is* a bit akward, but unavoidable in this case, I think. Allowing the index finger to hit the Cb in the farthest region of the key (away from you) should help a bit.

[Dave Ferris]

I tried various fingering possibilities at the piano . For the legato effect like I mentioned above, I would use 5-3-1 on the Am6 to 5-3-2 for the Abm6. You might also try this combination and see if it feels more comfortable for your hand position.

 

My first instinct, especially for the context you describe, would be what I originally suggested--the 5-2-1 on both chords.

[MAJUSCULE]

Definitely went to 5-2-1 for both on instinct. I can see Dave's point about 5-3-1, although I don't know if that's any better, what with the 5-3 a tritone away. YMMV.

[Bobadohshe]

5-2-1 I agree. Don't worry about connecting these legato.

 

Also, don't worry about not playing it ff enough. That ain't your job as the big band piano player, not on that tune.

[The Real MC]

If it were me, I'd use a Fats Waller variation

[MonksDream]

5-2-1 I agree. Don't worry about connecting these legato.

 

Also, don't worry about not playing it ff enough. That ain't your job as the big band piano player, not on that tune.

 

Yep, I just tried it out of curiosity and noticed that my hand moves deeper into the keys on the Abm6 because of the thumb moving forward to hit the Eb. There's no way around that that doesn't make the situation harder.

 

And Boba's totally right about piano on that part of the tune. If the horns are playing fff you'll be lucky if anyone hears the piano at all unless you're playing it with your elbows.