Analysis and Fingering for Bourrée

The Bourrée is generally considered a fast dance in duple meter, though it is sometimes danced in triple meter. The goal is to evoke a joyful atmosphere. This particular Bourrée is in 2/2 time, requiring a fast tempo, but the left-hand passage presents a challenge. If you look at the right hand and try playing it, you'll realize it's not particularly difficult. Therefore, only the left hand poses a problem.

Therefore, we will devise an alternative fingering. The author consulted the Henle edition, which provides very helpful fingerings. Let's take measures 23-25 as an example. The recommended fingering in the Henle edition is:

• Measure 23: 1-2-3-2 5-4-2-1
• Measure 24: 2-?-?-1 5-4-2-1
• Measure 25: 2-?-?-1 5-4-2-1

While this fingering is certainly acceptable, the author found it quite challenging. Therefore, the following is proposed:

• Measure 23: 1-2-3-2 5-4-2-1
• Measure 24: 1-2-3-2 5-4-2-1
• Measure 25: 1-2-4-2 5-4-2-1

The main challenge with this fingering is that the last note of a measure ends with finger 1, while the beginning of the next measure also starts with finger 1. In other words, it involves a consecutive use of finger 1 (1-1). However, please try it once. It is not as difficult as it seems; in fact, the author finds it significantly easier than the fingering recommended by Henle. For your reference.