Flute Fingering Chart
The Flute Fingering Chart is a music reference tool covering flute fingering chart, beginner flute fingering chart, flute fingering chart with notes, flute note chart. Use the chart below to look up values instantly. Printable and downloadable versions are available on this page.
How to Read a Flute Fingering Chart
- A flute fingering chart shows the instrument from the player's perspective — left hand closer to the embouchure hole, right hand toward the foot joint.
- Filled circles (●) indicate keys that should be pressed down. Open circles (○) indicate keys left open or not pressed.
- The chart typically shows the body keys from left to right: B key (left thumb), left hand keys 1-2-3, right hand keys 1-2-3, and foot joint keys (D#/Eb, C#, C, and low B on B-foot models).
- Trill keys are small oval keys between the left and right hand positions — they are used for specific trills and alternate fingerings rather than standard notes.
- The flute is a concert pitch instrument — written C sounds as concert C. There is no transposition adjustment needed.
Flute Fingering Chart — First Octave
| Note | Fingering Description | Tips and Common Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Middle C (C4) | All left hand keys 1-2-3 pressed. All right hand keys 1-2-3 pressed. Left thumb B key pressed. C# trill key open. Right little finger C key pressed. | The lowest commonly used note — requires full coverage of all main keys. |
| C# / Db (C#4) | Same as C but lift right little finger C key and press C# key. | — |
| D (D4) | Left 1-2-3 and right 1-2-3. Left thumb closed. Right little finger D# key open. | A very common first note for beginners. |
| Eb / D# (D#4) | Left 1-2-3, right 1-2-3, right little finger D# key. | — |
| E (E4) | Left 1-2-3, right 1-2. | — |
| F (F4) | Left 1-2-3, right 1. | — |
| F# / Gb | Left 1-2, right 1. | — |
| G (G4) | Left 1-2, right open. | The first note many beginners learn — easier embouchure. |
| Ab / G# | Left 1, right open, plus Ab trill key. | — |
| A (A4) | Left 1, right open. | Very stable note — good for tuning. |
| Bb / A# (A#4) | Left 1 plus Bb lever (left thumb), or left 1-2 for alternate. | Two standard fingerings — learn both. |
| B (B4) | Left 1. | — |
| C (C5) | Left thumb and right hand 1-2-3. | — |
| C# (C#5) | Left thumb and right hand fingering with C# key. | — |
Source: FluteWorld Fingering Reference and National Flute Association
Flute Fingering Chart — Second Octave
The second octave uses the same fingerings as the first octave but with a faster airstream, higher air speed, and a narrower embouchure aperture to overblow to the second harmonic.
| Note | Fingering — same as first octave unless stated |
|---|---|
| D5 | Same as D4: left 1-2-3, right 1-2-3. Increase air speed and narrow the aperture. |
| Eb5 / D#5 | Same as Eb4: left 1-2-3, right 1-2-3, right pinky D# key. Faster air. |
| E5 | Same as E4: left 1-2-3, right 1-2. Faster air and narrower aperture. |
| F5 | Same as F4: left 1-2-3, right 1. Increased air speed. |
| F#5 / Gb5 | Same as F#4: left 1-2, right 1. Narrower aperture. |
| G5 | Same as G4: left 1-2, right open. Naturally resonant in second octave. |
| Ab5 / G#5 | Same as Ab4: left 1, right open, Ab trill key. Faster air. |
| A5 | Same as A4: left 1 only. Increase air speed — check intonation carefully. |
| Bb5 / A#5 | Same as Bb4: left 1 + Bb lever, or left 1-2. Narrow the aperture. |
| B5 | Same as B4: left 1. Direct air upward slightly. |
| C6 | Modified fingering: left thumb + left 1 + right 1. This differs from C5 — requires adjusted embouchure and fast air. |
Flute Fingering Chart — Third Octave
The third octave requires more advanced embouchure control and often uses different fingerings from the first and second octaves to help the tone speak cleanly.
| Note | Fingering Description |
|---|---|
| D6 | Left 1-2-3 with right 1. Very fast, narrow air stream required. Often slightly different from standard D — consult a teacher for fine-tuning. |
| Eb6 / D#6 | Left 1-2-3, right 1-2-3, D# key. Advanced embouchure adjustment needed. |
| E6 | Left 1-2 with right 1. Fewer lower-hand keys compared to lower octaves — narrow the aperture significantly. |
| F6 | Left 1-2-3, right hand fully open. Focus air fast and upward. |
| F#6 / Gb6 | Left 1-2, right open. Alternate: left 1-2 with various trill key combinations. |
| G6 | Left 1 with right 1. Very open — needs maximum aperture focus. |
| Ab6 / G#6 | Left 1 with Ab trill key. Extreme embouchure control required. |
| A6 | Left 1 only. Incredibly fast air — intermediate players may find this unstable. |
| Bb6 / A#6 | Left 1 plus Bb lever or alternate trill key combination. Highly player-dependent. |
| B6 | Various harmonic fingerings — exact position varies by instrument and player. Consult a comprehensive fingering reference or teacher. |
| C7 | Top of the standard written range. Highly advanced — uses special embouchure and harmonic fingerings. See the extended range fingering chart for exact positions. |
Most third-octave fingerings eliminate some lower-hand keys compared to lower octaves — consult a teacher or a comprehensive fingering reference such as the NFA fingering charts for exact positions.
Flute Fingering Lookup
Select any note from the dropdown to see an interactive key diagram showing which keys to press, with trill fingering notes and technique tips.
All six main keys covered. Left thumb B key lifted. No foot keys. This is a very common first note for beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What key is the flute in?
The standard concert flute is in the key of C — it is not a transposing instrument. Written C on the flute sounds as concert C making it straightforward to play alongside piano and other C instruments.
What is the lowest note on a flute?
The lowest note on a standard C flute is middle C (C4). Flutes with a B-foot joint can play one semitone lower — concert B3.
How many octaves can a flute play?
A standard concert flute has a range of approximately 3 octaves from middle C (C4) to C7. Professional players can extend slightly above this using altissimo techniques.
What is the easiest note to start with on flute?
B4, A4, and G4 are commonly recommended starting notes for beginners. These notes require fewer keys than lower notes and are easier to produce a clear tone with a developing embouchure.
What is the difference between a C flute and a piccolo?
A piccolo is half the length of a concert flute and sounds one octave higher than written — it is a transposing instrument. A concert C flute sounds as written at concert pitch.
Why does the flute overblow at an octave?
The flute is an open cylindrical pipe — acoustically it produces both odd and even harmonics. This causes it to overblow at the octave (second harmonic) by tightening the embouchure and increasing air speed — unlike the clarinet which overblows at a 12th.
What is a B-foot joint?
A B-foot joint adds one additional key to the foot of the flute extending the range down one semitone from middle C to concert B3. It also adds mass to the flute which some players believe improves tone in the lowest register.
Is the flute hard to learn?
Producing the initial tone on flute is considered one of the more challenging aspects for beginners — it requires precise control of lip shape, air direction, and air speed across an open embouchure hole. Once tone production is established many students find flute fingerings and technique progress relatively quickly.