Flute Fingering Guide
Look up the basic fingering for any note on the concert flute. Choose a note and the guide shows which keys to press with the left thumb, the left- and right-hand fingers, the G# and E♭ keys and the foot joint, along with tips for the note’s register. Tap play to hear the pitch, and use the full chart to learn all three octaves.
Flute fingering finder
Notation: T = left thumb (B key); left 1 2 3 | right 1 2 3; “–” = open; E♭ = right little finger on the E♭ key.
Flute Fingering Charts
Printable flute fingering charts (full three-octave chart, first-octave beginner chart), scale sheets for concert B♭, F and C major, a fingering quiz with answers and a practice log.
- Full chart (PDF/XLSX)
- First octave (PDF)
- Scale sheet (PDF)
- Fingering quiz (PDF, DOCX)
- Practice log (PDF, XLSX)
Formats: PDF, XLSX, DOCX. Instant download after payment (link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). AI-assisted: the templates were drafted with AI help and reviewed and laid out by Kedop.
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Flute fingering chart
| Note | Fingering (T = thumb B key; left 123 | right 123) |
|---|---|
| B3 | T 123 | 123 + low B foot key (B-foot flutes only) |
| C4 | T 123 | 123 + low C foot key |
| C#4 | T 123 | 123 + C# foot key |
| D4 | T 123 | 123 (little finger up) |
| E♭4 | T 123 | 123 + E♭ key |
| E4 | T 123 | 12– + E♭ |
| F4 | T 123 | 1–– + E♭ |
| F#4 | T 123 | ––3 + E♭ |
| G4 | T 123 | ––– + E♭ |
| G#4 | T 123 + G# key | ––– + E♭ |
| A4 | T 12– | ––– + E♭ |
| B♭4 | T 1–– | 1–– + E♭ (or B♭ thumb key: 1–– | ––– + E♭) |
| B4 | T 1–– | ––– + E♭ |
| C5 | 1–– | ––– + E♭ (thumb off) |
| C#5 | ––– | ––– + E♭ |
| D5 | T –23 | 123 (little finger up) |
| E♭5 | T –23 | 123 + E♭ |
| E5 | T 123 | 12– + E♭ |
| F5 | T 123 | 1–– + E♭ |
| F#5 | T 123 | ––3 + E♭ |
| G5 | T 123 | ––– + E♭ |
| G#5 | T 123 + G# | ––– + E♭ |
| A5 | T 12– | ––– + E♭ |
| B♭5 | T 1–– | 1–– + E♭ |
| B5 | T 1–– | ––– + E♭ |
| C6 | 1–– | ––– + E♭ |
| C#6 | ––– | ––– + E♭ |
| D6 | T –23 | ––– + E♭ |
| E♭6 | T 123 + G# | 123 + E♭ |
| E6 | T 12– | 12– + E♭ |
| F6 | T 1–3 | 1–– + E♭ |
| F#6 | T 1–3 | ––3 + E♭ |
| G6 | 123 | ––– + E♭ (thumb off) |
| G#6 | –23 + G# | ––– + E♭ |
| A6 | T –2– | 1–– + E♭ |
| B♭6 | T ––– | 1–– + D trill key |
| B6 | T 1–3 | ––– + D# trill key |
| C7 | 123 + G# | 1–– (with foot keys as marked on your flute) |
These are the basic fingerings for a Boehm-system concert flute, matching standard references such as the Woodwind Fingering Guide. The same fingerings work on piccolo, which sounds an octave higher. Many notes have alternate and trill fingerings; ask your teacher which to use in fast passages.
How to hold the flute
- Left hand: thumb on the B key on the back, index finger on the second key from the embouchure end, then middle and ring fingers; the little finger rests on the G# key lever.
- Right hand: index, middle and ring fingers on the three main keys; the little finger rests on the E♭ key.
- Both thumbs support the flute — the right thumb under the body between the first and second fingers.
- Keep fingers curved and close to the keys; use the pads of the fingers.
The E♭ key rule
On almost every note, the right little finger holds the E♭ key down. It vents the tone, improves tuning and helps balance the instrument. The main exceptions are low D (D4) and D in the second octave (D5), plus the foot-joint notes C4 and C#4 where the little finger moves to the foot keys, and a few third-octave notes such as B♭6 and B6.
Octaves on the flute
| Octave | Range | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| First | C4 – C#5 | Relaxed, slower air; the lowest notes need open, full sound |
| Second | D5 – C#6 | Mostly the same fingerings as the first octave, with faster air; D5 and E♭5 lift the left index finger |
| Third | D6 – C7 | Unique cross-fingerings; faster, narrower air and a smaller aperture |
How to use the finder
- Choose a note (concert pitch — flute music is written at sounding pitch).
- Filled circles in the diagram are keys to press; the G#, E♭ and foot keys light up when used.
- Read the fingering in text and the register tips.
- Press play to hear the pitch and check your note with a tuner.
Worked example
For G4, the fingering is “T 123 | ––– + E♭”: left thumb on the B key, left index, middle and ring fingers down, the right-hand fingers up, and the right little finger on the E♭ key. G5, an octave higher, uses exactly the same fingering with a faster, more focused air stream — a good first exercise in changing octaves without changing fingers.
Common beginner problems
- Airy low notes: roll the headjoint out slightly and relax the lips; direct the air more downward.
- Cracking between octaves: change air speed and lip opening rather than blowing harder.
- Forgetting the E♭ key: leave the little finger down by habit except for the D notes.
- Sore left index finger: check the crutch position and keep a relaxed hand.
- Sharp high notes: roll in a little and avoid pinching.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest note to play on flute?
Many beginners start with B4, A4 and G4 in the left hand.
Why is the E♭ key held down?
It improves tone, tuning and balance on almost every note.
What is the fingering for middle C on flute?
Middle C (C4) is the flute’s lowest note: T 123 | 123 with the low C foot key. The C an octave higher (C5) is the left index finger only plus the E♭ key.
Are flute and piccolo fingerings the same?
Yes, the basic fingerings are the same; piccolo sounds an octave higher.
What is the lowest note on the flute?
C4, or B3 on flutes with a B foot joint.
Why do D4 and D5 not use the E♭ key?
Lifting the little finger improves the tone and tuning of D; add it back for E♭ and above.
What is the thumb B♭ key?
A lever next to the thumb B key that gives an easier B♭ in many keys.
Do I need a B foot joint?
Not as a beginner; it adds low B and helps some high notes, but a C foot is standard.
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