Basics · 2 min read
How to Read a Woodwind Fingering Chart
Understand fingering diagrams for clarinet, flute, saxophone and recorder — filled vs open keys, written pitch, registers, alternate and trill fingerings.
Updated · Tonehole editors
Fingering charts look intimidating, but every diagram on this site follows the same simple rules.
The basics#
- The diagram shows the instrument as you look down at it while playing: mouthpiece at the top for clarinet, saxophone and recorder; the flute is drawn sideways.
- Filled (dark) circles and keys are pressed or covered. White ones stay open.
- Thumb keys and holes on the back are drawn to the left.
- Small labelled rectangles are keys pressed by the side of a finger or by the little fingers (e.g. G♯, the clarinet's left and right pinky keys).
- On recorder diagrams, a half-filled thumb hole means pinched — leave a small gap at the top of the hole.
Written vs sounding pitch#
Every note is a written note. On transposing instruments the sound is different: a written C on the B♭ clarinet sounds B♭; on the alto sax it sounds E♭. Each note page lists the sounding pitch for every family member, with a play button. More on transposition.
Primary and alternate fingerings#
The first diagram is the standard fingering — the one to learn first. Alternates follow, each with a note saying when to use it:
- Chromatic alternates avoid sliding one finger between two keys (clarinet pinky keys, sliver keys, saxophone bis and side keys).
- Tuning alternates add or remove fingers to correct a sharp or flat note.
- Trill fingerings make fast alternation possible.
Registers#
Charts are grouped by register: on the clarinet chalumeau, throat, clarion and altissimo; on flute and saxophone by octave. Notes in a register share a pattern — clarinet clarion notes are chalumeau fingerings plus the register key, a twelfth higher.
Start here#
What does a filled circle mean on a fingering chart?#
It means you cover that hole or press that key. Open (white) circles stay uncovered.
Do all saxophones use the same fingering chart?#
Yes. Soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones use identical written fingerings; only the sounding pitch differs.