Desmond Hunter


Focuses on the fingering of linear figuration and of grace notes. Various methods of fingering were undoubtedly explored by performers once they had mastered the basic principles illustrated in teaching pieces, and skeletal markings in the main repertoire are informative in this respect. Indications on grace notes often serve as qualifying symbols. Given that the virginalists' vocabulary of grace signs was limited, and that other means of qualification and clarification were employed, the evidence that fingering served as a useful expedient is persuasive.