Oboe Fingering Chart and Bassoon Fingering Chart

How do you read an oboe fingering chart?

Find the note, then press every hole and key listed. L1, L2 and L3 are the left-hand fingers from the top, R1, R2 and R3 the right-hand fingers. The octave keys are under the left thumb and beside the left hand, and the little finger keys are named by their note.

The fingerings are the standard basic fingerings, written in the Woodwind Fingering Guide's notation and spelled out in words. In the interactive chart above, a filled circle means "cover it", an outline means "leave it open", a half-filled circle means "half-hole", and the keys in use are filled.

★ marks notes outside the usual beginner range (C4 to D5). F4 is shown with the F key; the forked F and left F are common alternatives that your teacher may prefer.

To keep a printable copy, use your browser's Print and choose "Save as PDF". The tables print without the buttons and pictures.

What are the first notes on the oboe?

Beginners usually start with B, A and G in the middle of the oboe: L1 for B, then L1 + L2 for A, then L1 + L2 + L3 for G – the same left-hand pattern as recorder and flute. Then come F♯, E and D with the right hand, adding R1, R2 and R3.

1. Soak the reed in water for a minute or two, then crow on the reed alone.
2. Play B, A and G (left hand only), with the lips gently covering the teeth.
3. Add the right hand for F♯, E and D. Cover the holes with the pads of the fingers, not the tips.
4. Learn the half-hole for C♯5 and D5: roll L1 down towards your palm so the small hole is open.

Quiz: name the oboe and bassoon fingering

Eight quick questions on the beginner notes of the instrument chosen in the chart, then a short "I can" checklist.

• Marked by Classfern – the eight fingering questions, checked straight away.
• Self-assessed – the "I can" checklist: you tick it when you have done it.

Start the quiz

How do you read a bassoon fingering chart?

Bassoon fingerings list the left-hand thumb keys first, then the left-hand holes (L1–L3), then the right-hand thumb keys and holes (R1–R3) and the little finger keys. The whisper key, under the left thumb, is held down for most low and middle notes up to G♯3.

The left thumb has the most work on the bassoon: it plays the whisper key, the low B♭, B, C and D keys, and the flick keys for high notes. The right thumb plays the low E, F♯ and B♭ keys. Choose Bassoon in the interactive chart to see and hear every note.

★ marks notes outside the usual beginner range (F2 to C4). For A4 and B♭4 the A flick key is pressed briefly as the note starts.

What are the first notes on the bassoon?

Many bassoonists start with F3, which needs only the whisper key, then E3, D3 and C3 by adding left-hand fingers 1, 2 and 3. Next comes B♭2, adding the right-hand fingers and the B♭ thumb key – the start of the B♭ major scale.

Middle G3 uses a half-hole (L1 partly open), so it often comes a little later. Keep the left thumb resting on the whisper key and the right hand relaxed, with the fingers close to their holes.

What are the oboe octave keys and the half-hole?

The oboe has two octave keys. The thumb octave key (left thumb) gives E5 to G♯5, and the side octave key (pressed with the side of the left first finger) gives A5 to C6. C♯5, D5 and E♭5 use the half-hole instead: L1 rolls down so its small hole is open.

On many oboes the two octave keys work automatically together, so check your instrument with your teacher. The half-hole is a rolling movement of the first finger, not a lift; practise C5 to C♯5 to D5 slowly until the roll is smooth. Classfern is not connected with or endorsed by any instrument maker or by the Woodwind Fingering Guide.

More fingering charts and music tools

The charts are Classfern's own, written from the standard published basic fingerings; there are often other fingerings for the same note, and your teacher may prefer one of them. Mr Chopin and Miss Clara Schumann are Classfern's own cartoon characters, named in honour of the composers Frédéric Chopin and Clara Schumann – they are not portraits of the real people.