Finger numbering: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Ambiguous numbering of the human fingers}} |
{{Short description|Ambiguous numbering of the human fingers}} |
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The ''first finger'' is an ambiguous term in the English language due to two competing finger numbering systems that can be used. It might refer to either the [[thumb]] or the [[index finger]], depending on the context. The ''second finger'' is another ambiguous term in English. It might refer to either the index finger or the [[middle finger]], also dependent on context. The same can be said for the ''third finger'' (referring to either the middle finger or the [[ring finger]]); and the ''fourth finger'' (referencing either the ring finger or the [[pinky finger|pinky]]. The ''fifth finger'' will exclusively refer to the pinky, (also called the ''little'' finger). |
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The fingers of the human hand are numbered ambiguously in the English language. |
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==Finger numbering systems== |
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The [[ordinal number]]s of the fingers of the human hand are numbered ambiguously in the English language. This is due to two competing finger numbering systems that can be used. For instance, the first finger might refer to either the thumb or the index finger, depending on the context. |
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===Five-finger system=== |
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In the four-finger system, ''first finger'' instead refers to the index. ''Second'', ''third'', and ''fourth finger'' then refer to the middle, ring and little fingers respectively. The thumb is simply referred to as the thumb. This system is used in common English,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/first_finger| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170925132348/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/first_finger| url-status=dead| archive-date=September 25, 2017| title=First Finger : Definition of first finger in English {{!}} Oxford Dictionaries| website=Oxford Dictionaries {{!}} English| access-date=2017-06-08}}</ref> and when playing [[String instrument|string]], [[Woodwind instrument|woodwind]] and [[Brass instrument|brass instruments]]. |
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In the ''Five-finger system'', the ''first finger'' usually refers to the thumb (or first digit) in a medical context,<ref name="medic">{{cite web | title=first finger |url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/first+finger |website=Medical Dictionary |access-date=17 August 2022}}</ref> or in a musical context when referring to [[Fingering (music)#Keyboard instruments|playing keyboard instruments]], such as the piano or accordion.<ref name="pi-no" /> |
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| ⚫ | The ''second finger'' under this system will refer to the index finger (or second digit) in medicine,<ref>{{cite web |title=second finger |url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/second+finger |website=Medical Dictionary |access-date=17 August 2022}}</ref> or in a musical context when referencing the playing of keyboard instruments.<ref name="pi-no">{{cite web |title=Naming the Fingers on the Piano |url=https://www.sagemusic.co/naming-the-fingers-on-the-piano |website=Sage Music {{!}} Piano, Voice, Guitar Lessons & More Music Lessons Online |access-date=17 August 2022 |date=25 February 2013}}</ref> |
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The ''third finger'' usually refers to the middle finger (or third digit) in a medical context,<ref name="medic" /> or in a musical context when referring to keyboard instruments.<ref name="pi-no" /> |
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The ''fourth finger'' refers to the [[ring finger]] (or fourth digit) in a medical context,<ref name="medic" /> or in a musical context when referring to keyboard instruments.<ref name="pi-no" /> |
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The ''fifth finger'' refers to the [[pinky finger]] (or fifth digit) in a medical context,<ref name="medic" /> or in a musical context when referring to keyboard instruments.<ref name="pi-no" /> |
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===Four-finger system=== |
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Here, in the ''four-finger system'', as well as in common English, the ''first finger'' refers to the index finger (the finger next to the [[thumb]]).<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/first_finger| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170925132348/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/first_finger| url-status=dead| archive-date=September 25, 2017| title=First Finger : Definition of first finger in English {{!}} Oxford Dictionaries| website=Oxford Dictionaries {{!}} English| access-date=2017-06-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=First finger |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/first-finger |website=[[Collins English Dictionary]] |access-date=17 August 2022}}</ref> This designation carries over in a musical context when referencing the playing of [[Fingering (music)#Stringed instruments|stringed instruments]] (such as the guitar),<ref name="anatorch">{{cite book | title=Anatomy of the Orchestra |last=Del Mar |first=Norman |author-link=Norman Del Mar |year=1981 |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley and Los Angeles |isbn=0-520-05062-2 |pages=482–484 (1987 paperback edition) }}</ref> [[Fingering (music)#Woodwind instruments|woodwind instruments]] (such as flutes, pipes, or piccolos), and [[Fingering (music)#Brass instruments|brass instruments]] (such as horns).<ref name="dums">{{cite web | title=Flute For Dummies Cheat Sheet |url=https://www.dummies.com/article/academics-the-arts/music/instruments/flute/flute-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-208477/ |website=dummies |access-date=17 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref> |
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The ''second finger'' refers to the middle finger in common English,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.dictionary.net/second%20finger| title=second finger| website=dictionary.net| access-date=2017-06-08}}</ref> or when playing string, brass, or woodwind instruments in music.<ref name="anatorch" /><ref name="dums" /> |
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The ''third finger'' refers to the ring finger in common English,<ref>{{cite web |title=Third finger |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/third-finger |website=[[Collins English Dictionary]] |access-date=17 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Definition of third finger {{!}} Dictionary.com |url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/third-finger |website=www.dictionary.com |access-date=17 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Third Finger at WordReference.com Dictionary of English |url=https://www.wordreference.com/definition/third%20finger |website=www.wordreference.com |access-date=17 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref> or in a musical context when referring to string, brass, or woodwind instruments.<ref name="anatorch" /><ref name="dums" /> |
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The ''fourth finger'' refers to the pinky (or little) finger in common English, or in a musical context when referring to string, brass, or woodwind instruments.<ref name="dums" /> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 06:27, 18 January 2024
The first finger is an ambiguous term in the English language due to two competing finger numbering systems that can be used. It might refer to either the thumb or the index finger, depending on the context. The second finger is another ambiguous term in English. It might refer to either the index finger or the middle finger, also dependent on context. The same can be said for the third finger (referring to either the middle finger or the ring finger); and the fourth finger (referencing either the ring finger or the pinky. The fifth finger will exclusively refer to the pinky, (also called the little finger).
Finger numbering systems
The ordinal numbers of the fingers of the human hand are numbered ambiguously in the English language. This is due to two competing finger numbering systems that can be used. For instance, the first finger might refer to either the thumb or the index finger, depending on the context.
Five-finger system
In the Five-finger system, the first finger usually refers to the thumb (or first digit) in a medical context,[1] or in a musical context when referring to playing keyboard instruments, such as the piano or accordion.[2]
The second finger under this system will refer to the index finger (or second digit) in medicine,[3] or in a musical context when referencing the playing of keyboard instruments.[2]
The third finger usually refers to the middle finger (or third digit) in a medical context,[1] or in a musical context when referring to keyboard instruments.[2]
The fourth finger refers to the ring finger (or fourth digit) in a medical context,[1] or in a musical context when referring to keyboard instruments.[2]
The fifth finger refers to the pinky finger (or fifth digit) in a medical context,[1] or in a musical context when referring to keyboard instruments.[2]
Four-finger system
Here, in the four-finger system, as well as in common English, the first finger refers to the index finger (the finger next to the thumb).[4][5] This designation carries over in a musical context when referencing the playing of stringed instruments (such as the guitar),[6] woodwind instruments (such as flutes, pipes, or piccolos), and brass instruments (such as horns).[7]
The second finger refers to the middle finger in common English,[8] or when playing string, brass, or woodwind instruments in music.[6][7]
The third finger refers to the ring finger in common English,[9][10][11] or in a musical context when referring to string, brass, or woodwind instruments.[6][7]
The fourth finger refers to the pinky (or little) finger in common English, or in a musical context when referring to string, brass, or woodwind instruments.[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "first finger". Medical Dictionary. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Naming the Fingers on the Piano". Sage Music | Piano, Voice, Guitar Lessons & More Music Lessons Online. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "second finger". Medical Dictionary. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "First Finger : Definition of first finger in English | Oxford Dictionaries". Oxford Dictionaries | English. Archived from the original on September 25, 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
- ^ "First finger". Collins English Dictionary. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ a b c Del Mar, Norman (1981). Anatomy of the Orchestra. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. pp. 482–484 (1987 paperback edition). ISBN 0-520-05062-2.
- ^ a b c d "Flute For Dummies Cheat Sheet". dummies. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "second finger". dictionary.net. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
- ^ "Third finger". Collins English Dictionary. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Definition of third finger | Dictionary.com". www.dictionary.com. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Third Finger at WordReference.com Dictionary of English". www.wordreference.com. Retrieved 17 August 2022.