Fingering Chart For Flute

This is an interactive flute fingering chart. Fingerings are shown graphically, and you can play back notes to hear them in context. The site is intended as a reference guide that provides an image of how fingers should be placed on the instrument and plays a sound when a note is selected. In this way it brings together the mechanics of playing with how it sounds.

To use this online resource, there is a set of buttons on screen that control navigation. It also works via your computer’s keyboard. You can try it out yourself here. This shows the notes on grid, starting from low E up to high B. Each time you click on a cell on the grid it selects that note and plays it for you. You can also tab around the grid using your keyboard then hit space or enter to play the note. This makes the widget fully accessible, no matter how you like to use it.

How to Use the Flute Chart

You should of be able to see exactly which fingering goes where as the note stay highlighted on selection. The flute illustration below can be used as a visual cue to help you see where the keys are. Note that the flute illustration is below the note grid. The head joint is shown on the left, with the illustration moving to the right to show the foot joint. All of these keys are clearly labelled including the thumb key, the E-flat key, and three keys each for both the left and right hand. When the selected pitch requires a key to close then this lights up in blue circles making it simple to remember the fingering even if you are not near your instrument.

There is also a play note button under the image of flute that will play out whatever note is chosen each time it’s pressed. At the top there’s a play all button that will start an ascending run through all the notes that are available. While it plays, this button changes into a stop button and you can interrupt the sequence before reaching the end if desired. The volume slider, positioned near the top controls, adjust the master output level for all of the sounds generated by the widget. This is helpful if you’d like to play it quietly or if your system volume is already set high.

Next we have the expand/collapse button that’s dedicated to the help panel. Here are some basic fingering tips and a quick reminder on reading the diagram. The fullscreen button widens the chart so it completely fills your screen, making it easier to see if you are using a small device or just want a cleaner look. You can exit this mode by pressing the button again which will revert the widget back to its previous state.

Remember that all of the note’s fingerings apply equally across octaves (so the higher notes has the same fingering as the lower ones). It is about how fast you move, not where you place your fingers. Internalise the patterns by taking the time to tap out each note in turn. Then, listen out for how the sound gets lower when you close extra keys one by one. As you practise another fingering, hold the E-flat key in your mind’s eye too. It will help develop a good habit that extends into more advanced passages.

Combine the visual chart with your practice and reinforce the muscle memory. Choose a note that sits comfortabley for you, then go explore. Follow the sound of the note, what does it sound like? Also notice how the keys in the diagram respond. Try playing some simple melody lines and even scales across the grid. The interactive chart is not only an instant reference but also a useful learning tool. Dive in and use this interactive chart during your next practice session.