Roland,
I doubt is anyone can provide a “better” way since that valuation is entirely based on how the way works for you.
When I set the 3-part fugues I use two staves. The soprano and alto in the upper and the bass in the lower. If the alto moves into the region of the bass that is indicated with a \changeStaff = “lower”.
I can send an example.
Mark
From: lilypond-user [mailto:lilypond-user-bounces+carsonmark=address@hidden] On Behalf Of R.H.
Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2020 10:04 AM
To: lilypond-user <address@hidden>
Subject: Notation: Piano: How best to indicate left hand or right hand fingering in polyphonic works?
Hello to all
Since some days I got immersed into Lilypond learning and the addtional usage of Frescobaldi then was a game changer. I see the dedication to quality in both products.
For my own piano practice, I am working on the Fugue IX from the Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1 from S.B. Bach. The work has three voices. To differentiate the voices I used a template for three voices and was able to come up with a decent version. Next, I also want to add some harmonic function to also visually better understand how the work is built (as a Fugue of course).
Now, I call these "My piano practice sheets" as they are for practice only. My teacher asked me to practice each voice separately first and only then start combining them.
Since here the middle or "mezzio" voice is played sometimes with the fingers of the left and sometimes with the fingers of the right hand, I decided to consistently indicate this fingering "up" for the left hand, and "down" for the right and use it per note such as "a16_4" for a down fingering or "a16^1" for an up-fingering.
I am not sure that this is the right way to do. Of course, there can be indicators such as "r.h" and "l.h.", but there would be too many and it is rather distracting to the eye. And it als forces me to have all fingering either up and down, but not in inside the lines.
Currently, I color the fingingerings of the voicing line. Maybe left or right hand could have a color.
But maybe somone has a better idea...?
Thanks to all and have a nice weekend
Roland
Example:
