Flute Fingering Chart

By Music Stand Companion

Use this guide to learn how to:

Keep scrolling to find guides on flute playing basics.

1.
- Just Slide
- Slide your thumb to select the note you want to find a fingering for.
- Our chart goes from the first octave B to the fourth octave G.
2.
- Sharps and Flats
- Tap the sharp or flat button to make the note sharp or flat.
- Tap the button once more to return to the natural note.
3.
- Trill Chart
- Instantly convert the app into a trill chart with one tap.
- Hit the “tr” button to see the trill options.
- Slide to select half or whole step.
4.
- Alternate Fingerings (advanced)
- Swipe left to explore alternate fingerings for each note.
- The symbols below the alternates, indicate the intonation and characteristics of the alternate (if available).
5.
- The Practice List
- Select the fingering you want and click “add to practice list”.
- Add all the fingerings you want to practice.
- Click "go to list" to go to the practice list.
6.
- Master Fingerings
- Master all the fingerings you’re learning on the practice list.
- Tap delete to remove or tap “delete all” to start over and make a new list.

Here's how to play a flute:
1. Use proper posture by standing straight with a wide body and tall frame.
2. Place your fingers in their proper positions on the flute.
3. Breathe using your diaphragm to fully fill your lungs.
4. Form mouth and blow with proper embouchure.
5. Refer to a fingering chart to know which keys to press for the desired notes.
6. Practice each step separately first, then combine.
Get started with proper posture here. Read below to learn how to hold the flute.

Here's how to hold a flute:
1. Turn your left hand toward you, and the right one away from you.
2. Match your fingers to the flute by color. These are the "home keys".
3. Do not clasp any of the moving parts, they are breakable.
4. Let the flute rest on the bottom of your left index finger and the bottom of your right thumb.
Don't worry if you don't quite get it yet. In this video, Mr. Selfridge goes into more detail on how to hold the flute.

Embouchure (lip position) and air movement are crucial to be able to play the flute. Mr. Selfidge has another tutorial explaining how to blow into the flute.

Here's how to play notes on the flute:
1. Refer to a fingering chart to know which note to play.
2. Find the black keys on a fingering chart and press those same black keys down on your flute.
3. Blow on the flute with correct embouchure and air movement.

Here's how to trill on a flute:
1. Trill up to the next whole note, adjust for key signature if necessary.
2. Start and end the trill on the starting note. If you start with C, end on C.
3. As a rule of thumb, play the trill as fast as you evenly can.
4. Maintain quality sound with consistent air movement.
For more on how to trill, here's Nina Perlov:

Here are some of the best resources to advance your flute learning.

1.
- Youtube Channels
- Mr. Selfridge
- ↑ The ultimate YouTube channel for band students - Find beginner/intermediate tutorials, song walk-throughs, and more.
- JustAnotherFlutist
- ↑ Joanna's YouTube channel is fun and real - Get a look inside the life of a flutist with insider flute tips.
- Melissa.Flutes
- ↑Melissa has a very popular YouTube channel - She has a huge selection of popular music turned flute covers.
2.
- Other Fingering Charts
- wfg.woodwind
- ↑An iconic fingering chart website - Great if you're on a desktop.
- Jen Cluff's PDF fingering chart
- ↑A nice breakdown of all the basic fingerings in one sheet (front and back).
- Nestor Herszbaum's flute fingerings book
- ↑Want to master this craft? This is the go-to guide for many flutists when looking for alternates.
3.
- Flute Sheet Music
- flutetunes.com
- ↑Free sheet music for beginners to experts with a new score every day.