Flute Fingering Chart
The flute is a C instrument — written pitch equals concert pitch. The standard range spans C4 (middle C) to A6 in the altissimo register. Each entry shows which keys to cover (filled circle) or leave open (open circle).
How to Read This Chart
Each diagram shows a simplified view of the instrument's keys:
- Filled circle (black) — key covered or pressed
- Open circle (white) — key left open
- Small circles — side keys (trill keys, G#, Bb, etc.)
- Main holes are numbered 1–6 (left hand: 1–3, right hand: 4–6)
Standard Fingerings
| Note | Keys Pressed | Diagram | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| C4 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + C-foot | | Low C — all keys + C footjoint key |
| C#4 / Db4 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + C# | | Low C# — all keys + C# trill key |
| D4 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 | | Low D — all main keys |
| D#4 / Eb4 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + Eb | | Low Eb — all keys + Eb side key |
| E4 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + Eb | | Low E — LH all + RH index+middle + Eb |
| F4 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + Eb | | Low F — LH all + RH index only + Eb |
| F#4 / Gb4 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + 6 + Eb | | F# — LH all + RH ring only + Eb (fork fingering) |
| G4 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + Eb | | G — LH all only + Eb, RH open |
| G#4 / Ab4 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + G# + Eb | | G# — LH all + G# side key + Eb |
| A4 | T + 1 + 2 + Eb | | A — LH thumb+index+middle + Eb |
| A#4 / Bb4 | T + 1 + 4 + Eb | | Bb — thumb + LH index + RH index + Eb (primary) |
| B4 | Bb + 1 + Eb | | B natural — Bis-Bb key + LH index + Eb |
| C5 | 1 + Eb | | Middle C — LH index only + Eb |
| C#5 / Db5 | Eb | | C# — Eb key only (all holes open) |
| D5 | T + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 | | D5 — thumb vent + LH middle+ring + RH all (no LH index) |
| D#5 / Eb5 | T + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + Eb | | Eb5 — same as D5 + Eb key |
| E5 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + Eb | | E5 — same fingering as E4 (embouchure shifts register) |
| F5 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + Eb | | F5 — same fingering as F4 |
| F#5 / Gb5 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + 6 + Eb | | F#5 — same fingering as F#4 |
| G5 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + Eb | | G5 — same fingering as G4 |
| G#5 / Ab5 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + G# + Eb | | G#5 — same fingering as G#4 |
| A5 | T + 1 + 2 + Eb | | A5 — same fingering as A4 |
| A#5 / Bb5 | T + 1 + 4 + Eb | | Bb5 — same fingering as Bb4 |
| B5 | Bb + 1 + Eb | | B5 — same fingering as B4 |
| C6 | 1 + Eb | | C6 — same fingering as C5 |
| C#6 / Db6 | Eb | | C#6 — same fingering as C#5 |
| D6 | T + 2 + 3 + Eb | | D6 — thumb + LH middle+ring + Eb only |
| D#6 / Eb6 | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + G# + 4 + 5 + 6 + Eb | | Eb6 — complex: all LH + G# + all RH + Eb |
| E6 | T + 1 + 2 + 4 + 5 + Eb | | E6 — thumb + LH 1,2 + RH 4,5 + Eb |
| F6 | T + 1 + 3 + 4 + Eb | | F6 — thumb + LH 1,3 (skip 2) + RH index + Eb |
| F#6 / Gb6 | Bb + 1 + 3 + 6 + Eb | | F#6 — Bis + LH 1,3 + RH ring + Eb |
| G6 | 1 + 2 + 3 + Eb | | G6 — LH 1,2,3 only, no thumb |
| G#6 / Ab6 | 2 + 3 + G# + Eb | | G#6 — LH middle+ring + G# key + Eb |
| A6 | T + 2 + 4 + Eb | | A6 — thumb + LH middle + RH index + Eb |
Alternate Fingerings
Alternate fingerings produce the same pitch but are used for smoother technique in specific musical contexts.
Trill Fingerings
Trill fingerings show the base fingering for each trill interval. To trill, rapidly alternate between the two notes by adding or lifting the key indicated in the description.
| Trill | Keys | Diagram | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| C4–D4 trill | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 | | Trill C–D: add/remove RH ring (6) from C4 position |
| D4–E4 trill | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 | | Trill D–E: remove RH ring (6) from D4 |
| F4–G4 trill | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + Eb | | Trill F–G: add/remove RH index (4) from G4 position |
| G4–A4 trill | T + 1 + 2 + 3 + Eb | | Trill G–A: add/remove LH ring (3) from A4 position |
| A4–B4 trill | T + 1 + 2 + Eb | | Trill A–B: add/remove Bis key from A4 |
High Register / Altissimo
Altissimo fingerings require advanced embouchure control. These notes are highly variable by instrument and player — use as a starting point and consult your instrument's specific fingering guide.
| Note | Keys Pressed | Diagram | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A#6 / Bb6 | T + 4 + D-trill | | Bb6 altissimo — thumb + RH index + D trill key |
| B6 | Bb + 1 + 3 + D# | | B6 altissimo — Bis + LH 1,3 + D# key; variable by instrument |
| C7 | 1 + 2 + 3 + G# + 1 + Eb | | C7 altissimo — highly variable; consult WFG for instrument-specific options |
| D7 | T + 1 + 2 | | D7 altissimo — thumb + LH index+middle; high register requires strong embouchure |
Sources: wfg.woodwind.org/flute — Woodwind Fingering Guide; Trevor Wye — A Practice Book for the Flute
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