Finger numbering

Ambiguous numbering of the human fingers

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

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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

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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

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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).[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

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* finger
* hand

## References

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1. ^ a b c d "first finger". Medical Dictionary. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
2. ^ 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.
3. ^ "second finger". Medical Dictionary. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
4. ^ "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.
5. ^ "First finger". Collins English Dictionary. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
6. ^ 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.
7. ^ a b c d "Flute For Dummies Cheat Sheet". dummies. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
8. ^ "second finger". dictionary.net. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
9. ^ "Third finger". Collins English Dictionary. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
10. ^ "Definition of third finger | Dictionary.com". www.dictionary.com. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
11. ^ "Third Finger at WordReference.com Dictionary of English". www.wordreference.com. Retrieved 17 August 2022.