Clarinet fingering chart for beginners
The clarinet has more keys than a brass instrument, but the logic is simple: cover the holes from the top down to go lower, and use the register key to jump up. Learn the first register and the rest follows. Here's the beginner-friendly chart.
A clarinet makes notes by covering holes and pressing keys to change the length of the vibrating air column. The more holes you cover from the top down, the lower the note. A special register key then jumps you into the upper register. Get the first register solid and you've learned most of what you need.
Learn it by playing
Fingerings stick fastest when you play them, not just read them. Our free games turn note-reading into a quick challenge — keep this chart open and jump in whenever.
How to read a clarinet chart
A fingering diagram shows two groups of circles for your two hands, plus the thumb hole and keys:
- Filled circle — cover that hole or press that key.
- Open circle — leave it uncovered.
- Top three holes — your left hand (index, middle, ring fingers).
- Bottom three holes — your right hand.
- Left thumb covers the back thumb hole and operates the register key.
- Pinky keys on both sides handle the lowest notes and some sharps/flats.
The first register, low to high
The clarinet reads the treble clef and is a B-flat instrument (more on that below). These are the standard fingerings for the lowest register, described by which holes you cover from the top:
- Low E — all six holes covered + thumb + right pinky key.
- F — all six holes + thumb + a pinky key.
- F♯ / G♭ — all six holes + thumb + side pinky key.
- G — all six holes + thumb.
- A — top two holes + thumb (and the A key for the higher A).
- B♭ — register-area keys; a common landmark note.
- B — thumb only or thumb + a key.
- Open C — left index finger only.
- D, E, F, G climbing — lift fingers from the bottom up.
The big idea: cover more holes from the top to go lower, lift them to go higher. Start from a comfortable middle note like open G and build down.
The register key: the clarinet's secret
Here's what makes the clarinet unique. On most instruments the upper octave is a clean doubling. On the clarinet, the register key (left thumb) jumps you up a twelfth — an octave plus a fifth. So the fingering for low E becomes B in the upper register, low F becomes high C, and so on. Once you know the bottom register, you get the next batch of notes almost for free by adding the register key.
A quick note on transposition
The clarinet is a B-flat instrument, so a written C sounds as a concert B-flat. You don't need to do any math — just read the written notes and use the fingerings above. The games handle transposition automatically, so you can focus on playing the right note. Full transposition guide →
Clef Match
A fast card game: pair each note letter with its spot on the treble staff. No instrument needed — perfect for cementing the notes your fingerings will play.
Tips to memorize fingerings fast
- Seal every hole with the soft pad of your finger — leaks cause squeaks and stuffy notes.
- Learn landmark notes first — open G, third-line B-flat, and low E anchor the rest.
- Drill notes out of order, the way real music jumps around.
- Relaxed embouchure, steady air — biting hard makes squeaks, not high notes.
- Practice a few minutes daily. Short and frequent beats long and rare.
The real secret: make practice fun
Players who learn fingerings fastest are the ones who practice the most — and people practice what they enjoy. That's the whole idea behind BANDROOM.GAMES: free, retro-arcade games that drill these exact skills while you have fun.
- Clef Match — pair note letters with the staff, no instrument needed.
- Echo & Glide — train your ear and pitch with your voice.
- Tuner — a free chromatic tuner for warming up.
Play the arcade
No sign-up, no install. Pick a game and turn "I should practice" into "one more round."
Frequently asked questions
How do you read a clarinet fingering chart?
A clarinet chart shows two hands of holes and keys. Filled circles mean cover that hole or press that key; open circles mean leave it off. The top three circles are your left hand, the bottom three your right, plus the thumb hole and register key for the left thumb.
What does the register key do on a clarinet?
The register key, pressed by the left thumb, jumps the note up by a twelfth instead of an octave. So the finger pattern that gives low E becomes B in the upper register. This twelfth jump is what makes the clarinet special.
What is the easiest first note on clarinet?
Most beginners start on open G or third-line B-flat because they use few fingers and speak easily. From there you add fingers downward toward low E. Building from a comfortable middle note keeps your air relaxed and your tone full.
Why does my clarinet squeak?
Squeaks usually come from a leaky finger seal, biting too hard on the reed, or brushing the register key. Cover holes fully with the pads of your fingers, keep a relaxed embouchure with steady air, and squeaks fade with practice.
Keep learning: Read the treble clef · Instrument transposition · all guides · more articles