The clarinet note finger chart is a compact cheat sheet that maps written notes to sounding pitch for Bb and A clarinets, explains chart symbols, and gives fast fingering choices across the chalumeau, clarion and altissimo registers so you can find notes and fixes instantly.
At-a-glance clarinet note finger chart for Bb and A players
Written-to-sounding quick rule: on a Bb clarinet a written C sounds as B♭ (a whole step down); on an A clarinet a written C sounds as A (a minor third down). Mark every chart with which instrument it applies to and the transposition interval to avoid errors in rehearsals.
Quick-access rows you can print or laminate: chalumeau (low) row, clarion (middle) row, altissimo (high) row. Each row lists the written note, the concert/sounding pitch for Bb, the concert/sounding pitch for A, and common enharmonic equivalents (e.g., written D♯ = E♭).
Example printable row (format for one-line cards): Written: Low E • Bb sound: D • A sound: C♯ • Enharmonic: —. Repeat for every note range and include a column for the most reliable alternate fingering.
Make a one-page PDF or laminated card: three horizontal bands (chalumeau, clarion, altissimo), left column written note, middle column Bb sounding, right column A sounding, and a narrow column for the preferred alternate fingering and intonation cue.
How to read a clarinet fingering chart: symbols, register key, and half‑hole marks explained
Filled circle or solid black dot = key or hole fully closed. Open circle = open hole. Shaded or half-filled circle = half‑hole or partial venting. A small arrow or ‘R’ usually indicates the register key; an ‘x’ or diagonal mark can mean “do not press” or “avoid” for that fingering.
Half‑hole symbols indicate fractional coverage that alters resonance and pitch; practice the exact half coverage slowly and listen for the harmonic that locks in pitch. Charts often mark alternate fingerings with small letters (a, b) or with brackets — use the bracketed option when the primary fingering misbehaves.
The left‑thumb register key changes the instrument’s harmonic series: engaging it gets you into the clarion and higher registers by producing the second register partial (up a twelfth). Chart legends usually show this as a thumb icon or the word “REG”.
Alternate-fingering marks and cross‑fingerings are shown as secondary notations. “Trumpet-style” diagrams use valve-like symbols for quick reference while Boehm diagrams use actual key-placement graphics; choose the style that matches your pedagogy and instrument system.
Standard finger patterns by register: chalumeau, clarion, and altissimo fingering logic
Chalumeau (low) register logic: fingers tend to form compact blocks—left hand top three fingers control the primary tone holes while right hand top three complete the lower slots. Use full coverage, check pad seals, and avoid half‑hole use except for specific alternate fingerings and ornaments.
Clarion (middle) register logic: the register key is engaged and many notes require half‑hole venting or slight alternate fingering to center pitch and tone. Patterns repeat in groups; once you memorize the shift from chalumeau to clarion you can link scales with minimal hand reconfiguration.
Altissimo (high) register principles: rely on register key plus voicing and controlled venting. Finger families recur—learn a handful of reliable high‑note families and the embouchure/air adjustments that make them sing instead of squeak.
Chalumeau fingering examples and common pitfalls
Typical chalumeau work: focus on low E up through low B♭ (lowest practical notes). Practice long tones with alternate fingerings for low E and low C to identify leaks; if a note is flat, check pad seal first, then try the common alternate fingering marked on your chart before adjusting embouchure.
Common pitfalls: incomplete hole coverage, pad leaks on pinky keys, and using too much throat tension. These show as airy low notes or sluggish response. Test by covering suspect holes with finger‑tissue: if pitch or response changes dramatically, the pad is the problem, not the fingering.
Clarion fingering examples and scale links across registers
Work written middle-range scales using consistent thumb position and half‑hole technique where charts indicate. For written C–C’ patterns, practice linking from a chalumeau low C fingering to the clarion C by immediately engaging the register key and adjusting to the charted half‑hole marking if required.
Side keys and pinky combinations: use them for sharps and flats in this register rather than forcing awkward cross‑fingerings. Mark the side‑key alternates on your chart in a contrasting color to speed sight corrections during fast passages.
Altissimo and high‑register fingering strategies
Altissimo relies on three coordinated elements: specific finger combination, half‑hole or venting choice, and voicing (air support and tongue position). Start altissimo practice with harmonic exercises: play low note, then lightly add the register key and find the partials before applying full fingerings.
Common altissimo practice routine: overtones, slow half‑hole climbs, then targeted high‑note families from the chart. Note families give you ranges of adjacent high notes that share the same base fingering with a single small alteration.
Complete fingering inventory: systematic coverage and alternates
Build the inventory the same way the best charts are made: list each written note from lowest available up to practical altissimo C, add the corresponding sounding pitch for Bb and A clarinets, then list the primary fingering and two alternates with intonation cues. Keep alternates annotated with context: “brightening”, “flattening”, or “for trill”.
Include common trill/slide fingerings next to each note that commonly participates in rapid semitone passages. For notes that tend to be sharp or flat on your instrument, place the preferred micro‑tuning fingering on the chart edge so it’s visible at a glance.
Alternate fingerings and tuning finger charts for better intonation and tone color
Alternate fingerings correct pitch and change timbre. If a note is sharp, try a fingering that adds a small vent or removes a short key to lengthen the tube slightly; if flat, try a fingering that slightly shortens the tube or opens a designated vent. Mark these moves on the chart as “+sharp” or “–flat” for fast reference.
Micro‑tuning on the chart: for each problematic note add one line with the micro‑adjustment key (e.g., “half‑hole + side D” or “pinky E flat key depressed”) and indicate approximate pitch effect in cents or descriptive terms (“slightly sharp”, “low by 10–20 cents”).
Choose alternate fingerings differently in ensemble vs solo settings: prioritize blending and steady pitch in ensemble, choose brighter or more projecting fingerings in solo work. Mark ensemble choices with a small square and solo with a star.
Trill and ornament fingering guide: reliable options for common trills and grace notes
Standard trills: favor thumb and side‑key combinations for rapid seconds (written C–D trills use side D options on many systems). For upper‑register trills, use the smallest mechanical movement possible—often a side‑key or single pinky key rather than full finger substitution.
Grace‑note practicalities: prepare the alternate fingering like a safety net, then release or apply the grace fingering with the weakest finger movement needed. Practice slow to fast with a metronome, isolating the lead‑in and the release so the ornament becomes automatic.
Drill suggestion: pick three common trills in your repertoire, isolate them, and practice accelerando sets (quarter = 60 down to 1/16 = target tempo) while keeping the alternate fingering consistent.
Transposition rules linked to fingering charts: converting written notes to concert pitch
Bb clarinet: written pitch sounds a whole step lower. To play a concert C, read D on your chart. A clarinet: written pitch sounds a minor third lower. To play a concert C, read E on your chart. Write the transposition interval at the top of every chart column so you don’t misread under pressure.
Quick conversion method: for Bb add two semitones to the concert pitch to get written; for A add three semitones. Mark commonly used concert scales as pre‑transposed rows on your practice chart for fast audition prep.
Using fingering charts in practice: drills, scale routines, and muscle memory building
Daily mapping routine: 1) Slow mapping—play each written note, say the sounding pitch aloud, and repeat. 2) Metronome increments—start at 40 bpm: four notes per click, then increase by 4–8 bpm every three sets. 3) Targeted repetition—pick five trouble notes and repeat them in different rhythmic patterns for five minutes daily.
Link charts to scales and arpeggios: practice each scale using the charted alternates where they appear, then remove the chart and play from memory. Mark trouble notes directly on your sheet music with the finger choice you tested and confirmed on the chart.
Troubleshooting common fingering problems: squeaks, leaks, and sticky keys
Squeaks: usually technique or pad sealing. Run a two‑note check: cover all holes for a low note, then lift fingers one at a time to see when the squeak appears. If the problem disappears with a different fingering, use that alternate until the pad work is fixed.
Leaks and sticky keys: isolate by testing suspect key combinations from your chart. A leak will alter timbre and pitch consistently. If a note sounds weak or choked but fingerings produce correct pitch on a well‑sealed instrument, check pads, springs, and key regulation with a repair technician.
Quick hacks during rehearsal: have a small roll of blue or white painter’s tape and a thin business card to temporarily cover sticky pads or to help identify a leaking pad by gently pressing and playing the note while the card isolates the pad area.
Fingering differences across clarinet systems and models: Boehm vs Oehler, Bb vs A, and historical variants
Boehm system charts are the most common worldwide and will list the standard ring/key positions you see on modern student and professional instruments. Oehler and German systems use different keywork and extra tone holes; expect differing alternate fingerings and additional keys for pitches that are otherwise cross‑fingered on Boehm instruments.
Bb vs A: fingerings are identical for written notes; only the sounding pitch changes. Keep separate charts labeled clearly for each instrument to avoid transposition mistakes in orchestral settings.
Historical clarinets: early or replica instruments can require period fingerings not found on modern charts; consult period‑instrument specialists or historical fingering tables when preparing repertoire from earlier eras.
Advanced fingering techniques: alternative venting, register‑key voicing, and multiphonics chart
Multiphonics and controlled harmonics depend on exact finger combos and subtle voicing shifts. Create an experimentation chart: note the base fingering, voicing cue (tongue position), and the audible result. Only add these to your working chart after validating them on your own instrument.
Venting and partial coverage: annotate which half‑hole placements or side‑vent keys produce reliable partials and which introduce instability. Practice these carefully and shelve anything that sacrifices core tone for range until you’ve secured steady air support.
Introduce advanced fingerings sparingly in technical practice. Use them to solve specific musical challenges and avoid confusing basic muscle memory for standard scales and orchestral repertoire.
Creating and customizing your own clarinet note finger chart: teacher and student templates
Start with a blank three‑row template (chalumeau, clarion, altissimo). Add written note, sounding pitch for Bb and A, primary fingering, one alternate, and one short intonation cue. Color‑code: red = sharp tendency, blue = flat tendency, green = ensemble preferred.
Beginner template: only primary fingerings and a few alternates for problem notes. Intermediate: add micro‑tuning column and common trills. Advanced: include multiphonics, altissimo families, and voicing notes.
Export tips: save as PDF for print, laminate for durability, or import the table into a note‑taking app on a tablet so you can circle trouble notes with a stylus during lessons.
Recommended interactive tools, apps, and reference sources for up‑to‑date fingering charts
Use interactive fingering apps that let you switch between Bb and A clarinets and show alternate fingerings; pair those with a high‑quality tuner app (for example, a strobe tuner) to check the intonation effect of each alternate. A visual chart plus a strobe tuner builds reliable muscle memory for micro‑tuning.
Essential method books for reference and progressive finger work: classic studies by Rose, Baermann, and Klosé provide technical progressions that map directly to fingering chart practice. Supplement with modern etude books that address register linkage and high‑range control.
Video demos from university clarinet studios and conservatory teachers are useful for seeing fingerings in motion. Use those videos to confirm a charted alternate or to learn the embouchure/voicing cues that a static chart can’t show.
Conclude by printing a compact, instrument‑labeled one‑page chart, marking your personal intonation cues, and practicing the three daily routines above until the finger choices become automatic in both sight‑reading and performance.
