Recorder Fingering Chart
This recorder fingering chart shows every note on soprano, alto and tenor recorder, in baroque (English) and German fingering. Tap a note to see which holes to cover and hear how it should sound.
Written note
Sounds B6 (concert)
Thumb and hole 1
B: the first note most recorder players learn. Thumb and one finger.
Keyboard of every note on this chart. Use the note list or arrow keys instead if you prefer.
Instrument type
Notes shown
Note names
Options
Play a scale
Alternate fingerings for B5
None in common use. Use the main fingering above.
All recorder fingerings (soprano, low C to high C)
Every note on one page. Tap a note to hear it and load it into the tool above. Black means pressed or covered.
Low notesC5–B5
- C5concert C60 123 4567
- C♯5 / D♭5concert C♯60 123 4567½
- D5concert D60 123 456
- E♭5 / D♯5concert E♭60 123 456½
- E5concert E60 123 45
- F5concert F60 123 467German fingering, Alto (German): 0 123 4
- F♯5 / G♭5concert F♯60 123 56German fingering, Alto (German): 0 123 567Being checked
- G5concert G60 123
- G♯5 / A♭5concert G♯60 12 456Being checked
- A5concert A60 12
- B♭5 / A♯5concert B♭60 13 4
- B5concert B60 1
High notes (half thumb from E)C6–C7
- C6concert C70 2
- C♯6 / D♭6concert C♯7– 12
- D6concert D7– 2
- E♭6 / D♯6concert E♭7– 23 456Being checked
- E6concert E7Ø 123 45
- F6concert F7Ø 123 46Being checked
- F♯6 / G♭6concert F♯7Ø 123 5Being checked
- G6concert G7Ø 123
- G♯6 / A♭6concert G♯7Ø 12 4Being checked
- A6concert A7Ø 12
- B♭6 / A♯6concert B♭7Ø 123 45Being checked
- B6concert B7Ø 12 45Being checked
- C7concert C8Ø 1 45Being checked
How to read this recorder fingering chart
The diagram shows the front of the recorder with the mouthpiece at the top.
- The thumb hole is on the back, drawn on the left (T). Filled means covered. Half-filled means the pinched “half thumb.”
- Holes 1-2-3 are for the left hand (top), holes 4 to 7 for the right hand.
- Holes 6 and 7 are double holes: a big hole and a small one. Filling only the big one is a half hole.
Under each note the chart also gives the short form recorder players use, such as “0 123 4567”: 0 is the thumb, then the holes that are covered.
The default is soprano recorder with baroque fingering, the most common school recorder. It sounds an octave higher than written.
Recorder notes for beginners
| Note | Fingering |
|---|---|
| B | Thumb, 1 |
| A | Thumb, 1-2 |
| G | Thumb, 1-2-3 |
| C (high) | Thumb, 2 |
| D (high) | 2 (thumb off) |
| E (low) | Thumb, 1-2-3, 4-5 |
| D (low) | Thumb, 1-2-3, 4-5-6 |
Baroque vs German recorder fingering
Baroque (English) and German recorders differ mainly in F:
- Baroque F: thumb, 1-2-3-4, then 6 and 7 (skip hole 5).
- German F: thumb, 1-2-3-4 only.
German fingering makes F easier but makes F♯ and some high notes harder and often out of tune, so most teachers recommend baroque. Use the switch above the tool to see German fingering.
Which one do I have? Play the German F (thumb and holes 1-2-3-4). In tune means German; sharp or wrong means baroque. Many recorders also have a “B” or “baroque” stamp near the foot.
Soprano, alto and tenor recorder
The soprano (descant) and tenor are in C; the alto (treble) is in F. The finger patterns are the same on all of them, but on the alto each pattern plays a note a fifth lower: the soprano’s C pattern is the alto’s F. Choose Alto or Tenor in the tool and the note names change to match.
Recorder Fingering Chart FAQ
What are the first recorder notes for kids?
Most school recorder books start with B, A and G: B is the thumb and one finger, A adds the second finger, G adds the third. Those three notes are enough for songs like Hot Cross Buns.
How do I know if my recorder is baroque or German?
Play F with thumb and holes 1-2-3-4 covered and the rest open. If it sounds in tune, it is German fingering; if it sounds sharp or wrong, use the baroque F (thumb, 1-2-3-4, then 6 and 7). Many recorders are also stamped with B or 'baroque' near the bottom.
Do soprano and alto recorders use the same fingering chart?
They use the same finger patterns, but for different notes. The alto is in F, so the pattern that plays C on a soprano plays F on an alto. Switch the tool to Alto to see the alto note names.
What does the half thumb mean on recorder?
For high notes from E up, bend the left thumb so the thumbnail opens a small crack at the top of the thumb hole. This 'pinched' thumb helps the high notes speak.
Why does my recorder squeak?
Usually it is too much air or a hole that is not fully covered. Blow very gently, like saying 'doo', and press the pads of your fingers flat over the holes.
What do the half holes on 6 and 7 do?
Holes 6 and 7 on most recorders are double holes. Covering only the larger one gives the in-between notes: low C♯ (half of hole 7) and low E♭ (half of hole 6).
Related charts
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