Tips Vs. Pads

Can someone tell me the difference between finger tip playing and finger pad playing? I've always been told to maintain using the pad of your fingers when playing. However, I noticed on Fraser's DVD that his technique incorporates the use of the finger tips more than the pad.

Nice question. Gee, I didn't realize I was using the tips more than my pads in the film, but now that you mention it, I guess you are right! Generally the tips are used for a smaller, more articulated sound where the pads are used for juicier, thicker, more cantabile. Just try 'playing' on the table top, and notice how much richer the 'thock' is when you use the pad. Generally, the bigger the surface area of the finger contact with key, the juicier the sound. Thus fingertips for fioratura decorative passages in Chopin, the pads for the melodic lines. Hmmm, I guess if I had to redo the film I would probably get a bit more pad into my sound in a number of places... Thanks for pointing it out! AFF

Where does all this leave that poor outrigger strut we call the thumb?

Thanks for your input, Alan. That cleared some things up for me. As far as the thumb, I would think it would fall in line naturally. If on the tips then the thumb would be as well (though more on its side). If flatter fingering, the same for the thumb but just more skin of the thumb on the key. For myself, I just tapped on the tabletop and watched where my thumb went naturally.

The same principle applies, but because the thumb is so weird, the thumb tip we use to play is not the tip on the END of the thumb, it's the crease along the side of the nail. Similarly, if you want more "pad," just lower your thumb until it is lying on the side of its distal phalange. In extreme cases you can even lie the medial phalange on key! AFF