Flute Fingering Chart: High Notes
Third octave D6–C7 · standard fingerings · concert pitch · ● = key closed
How to play
- Tap a note to see which keys close for these high third-octave notes and hear the pitch.
- The flute is drawn head‑joint (embouchure) on the left to foot on the right: the thumb key, the three left‑hand keys, the three right‑hand keys and the E♭ key. A filled circle means close that key.
- Play note repeats the selection; Play all runs up the range. Vol sets volume.
- Keyboard — Tab to any note or control, Enter/Space to activate.
- Tip — the third octave has its own vent fingerings (they stop mirroring the octave below). Keep the E♭ key down until B♭6, add the G♯ key where shown, use the D♯ trill key for B♭6/B6, and the gizmo (low-B foot) key helps C7 speak. Fast, focused air throughout.
To explore upper end of the flute’s range (D6, C7) consult this flute fingering chart. There is a button to click on notes or alternatively you can just use your keyboard for hands free fun. As you hit the button it sounds out the note and tells you what keys to cover on instrument.
For example, it have a grid in the middle which has buttons representing each note of the 3rd Octave. You can simply click on one of them and it will play the note for you. Then it highlight the correct fingering on the big display underneath the grid so you see what your fingers should look like when playing that note. A filled circle represents a key being closed and an open circle a key still remaining open. This give you visual feedback as to how to remember what combination of finger is needed for these higher notes.
How to Use the Flute Widget
To navigate the notes using your computer keyboard, simply use the Tab key to jump around the note grid. To select a note, hit Space (or Enter) and the note will play. You can then continue cycling through selection using only the keyboard. This make it possible to learn fingerings while leaving your hands free to practice on an instrument.
At the top of the widget are a number of control buttons that allow you to view/play back what you wish. Click Play all to run through whole scale automatically. This lets you test intonation throughout the range and warm up if desired. While running, the button will change to a Stop command so you can stop anytime you like. Just click on diagram itself to play back current note you have chosen.
On the top right is a volume slider for adjusting the loudness of audio samples. If you prefer something more quiet for reference while practicing, drag the slider left to reduce the volume. For a comfortabley yet clear enough level for listening, keep it centered for full scale run as well as individual notes.
For the higher register, the help button open up a panel of flute playing techniques and tips. Here it specifically describes any tricky fingering such as those needing the gizmo key or E flat key. This section explain why some fingerings do not follow same pattern than those in the lower octaves.
There is also a fullscreen button. When pressed, it extend the widget to cover your entire screen. This give you more room to view the fingering diagram easily if you are on a small device.
Try out the widget. Place your flute into playing position and then try it out on a note of your choosing. Blow a steady breath in the instrument while pressing keys marked with full circles on the diagram. Listen for the reference tone and see if you match same pitch as the example given. Work your way through the scale gently, paying close attention to how you move from one fingering to another. Notice the details regarding maintaining some keys held down for stability.
You need to hold notes down and use them to help the note ‘speak’ when in the third octave. Listen for the change in the sound as you move up through the high notes towards C7. This will teach your ear that this is the anticipated sound from these higher registers; it’s brighter and focused.
Choose a note which is comfortable to you, and away you go! The volume control allow you to adjust how loud the audio samples are to fit in with your practicing circumstances. As you get more confident on the real thing, then use it as a handy reference point based off the visual diagram. This will help you discover just how brilliant and clear high notes sounds on the flute.