Fingering Chartly

Printable Bassoon Fingering Chart

If you came looking for a bassoon finger chart pdf, this is the complete one: all 37 notes from B♭1 to B♭4 in bass clef, as a free printable, with the largest diagrams on this site — the bassoon needs them, with nine keys under the left thumb alone.

Download the PDFs

Teachers ask for one thing on a bassoon chart more than any other: which notes start with a flick key. Those notes are marked on this chart, from the data, not from memory.

Download the filled chart (PDF)Download the blank worksheet (PDF)

Both PDFs are free for classroom and personal use. Print them, copy them for your class, pin them on the wall — please just do not resell them or post them as your own product.

What is in the chart

The filled chart draws the whisper key, the flick keys (dashed where a key is touched only at the attack — A3, B♭3, B3 and C4 start with a flick), the low thumb row, the partial coverage of the first hole (quarter, half and three-quarter states are drawn as part-filled holes) and both pinky clusters. The published alternates are marked where the site gives them. The blank worksheet prints the same 37 diagrams empty — a serious test, and bassoon teachers set it anyway.

The full chart, online

Prefer to check a note on screen, hear it, or look up one fingering at a time? The bassoon fingering chart has all of it — and every note below links to its own page with the diagram, the sound and the fingering in words.

NoteFingeringFlick key
B♭1Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left thumb low B♭ + B + C + D keys · left hand 1-2-3 · right thumb E key · right hand 1-2-3 · right pinky F key.
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B1Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left thumb low B + C + D keys · left hand 1-2-3 · right thumb E key · right hand 1-2-3 · right pinky F key.
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C2Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left thumb low C + D keys · left hand 1-2-3 · right thumb E key · right hand 1-2-3 · right pinky F key.
—
C♯2Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left thumb low C + D keys · left hand 1-2-3 · left pinky C♯ key · right thumb E key · right hand 1-2-3 · right pinky F key.
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D2Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left thumb low D key · left hand 1-2-3 · right thumb E key · right hand 1-2-3 · right pinky F key.
—
E♭2Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left thumb low D key · left hand 1-2-3 · left pinky E♭ key · right thumb E key · right hand 1-2-3 · right pinky F key.
—
E2Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1-2-3 · right thumb E key · right hand 1-2-3 · right pinky F key.
—
F2Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1-2-3 · right hand 1-2-3 · right pinky F key.
—
F♯2Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1-2-3 · right thumb F♯ key · right hand 1-2-3 · right pinky F key.
Also usedDashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb aloneWhisper key · left hand 1-2-3 · right hand 1-2-3 · right pinky F key + F♯ key.
—
G2Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1-2-3 · right hand 1-2-3.
—
G♯2Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1-2-3 · right hand 1-2-3 · right pinky G♯ key.
Also usedDashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb aloneWhisper key · left hand 1-2-3 · right thumb G♯ key · right hand 1-2-3.
—
A2Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1-2-3 · right hand 1-2.
—
B♭2Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1-2-3 · right thumb B♭ key · right hand 1-2.
Also usedDashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb aloneWhisper key · left hand 1-2-3 · right hand 1-2 · sliver B♭ key.
—
B2Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1-2-3 · right hand 1.
—
C3Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1-2-3.
—
C♯3Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left thumb low D key · left thumb C♯ key · left hand 1-2-3.
—
D3Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1-2.
—
E♭3Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1-3 · left pinky E♭ key.
Also usedDashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb aloneWhisper key · left hand 1-3 · left pinky E♭ key · right thumb B♭ key · right hand 2.
—
E3Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1.
—
F3Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key.
—
F♯3Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1 (quarter-covered)-2-3 · right thumb F♯ key · right hand 1-2-3 · right pinky F key.
Also usedDashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb aloneWhisper key · left hand 1 (quarter-covered)-2-3 · right hand 1-2-3 · right pinky F key + F♯ key.
—
G3Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1 (half-covered)-2-3 · left pinky E♭ key · right hand 1-2-3.
—
G♯3Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1 (three-quarter-covered)-2-3 · right hand 1-2-3 · right pinky G♯ key.
Also usedDashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb aloneWhisper key · left hand 1 (three-quarter-covered)-2-3 · right thumb G♯ key · right hand 1-2-3.
—
A3Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Flick the A key as the note starts · left hand 1-2-3 · right hand 1-2.
Flick A at the attack
B♭3Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Flick the B key as the note starts · left hand 1-2-3 · right thumb B♭ key · right hand 1-2.
Also usedDashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb aloneFlick the B key as the note starts · left hand 1-2-3 · right hand 1-2 · sliver B♭ key.
Flick B at the attack
B3Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Flick the B key as the note starts · left hand 1-2-3 · right hand 1.
Flick B at the attack
C4Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Flick the B key as the note starts · left hand 1-2-3.
Flick B at the attack
C♯4Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left thumb low D key · left thumb C♯ key · left hand 1-2-3.
Also usedDashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb aloneLeft thumb C♯ key · left hand 1-2-3 · right hand 2-3 · right pinky F key.
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D4Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left hand 1-2.
—
E♭4Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left hand 1-2 · right hand 2-3.
Also usedDashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb aloneLeft hand 1-2 · right hand 1-2-3.
—
E4Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left hand 1-3 · left pinky E♭ key · right hand 1-2-3.
—
F4Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left hand 1-3 · left pinky E♭ key · right hand 1-2.
—
F♯4Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left hand 2-3 · left pinky E♭ key · right hand 1-2 · right pinky F key.
Also usedDashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb aloneLeft hand 2-3 · left pinky E♭ key · right thumb B♭ key · right hand 1-2.
—
G4Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Whisper key · left hand 1 (half-covered)-2-3 · left pinky E♭ key · right hand 1 · right pinky F key.
—
G♯4Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left hand 1 (three-quarter-covered)-2-3 · left pinky E♭ key · right hand 3.
—
A4Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left thumb C♯ key · A flick key held down · left hand 1-2-3 · left pinky E♭ key · right hand 3.
—
B♭4Dashed key = flick it as the note starts, then let goWhispC♯D flB flA flFlick keysB♭BCDLeft thumbE♭C♯Left pinkyB♭ TE TF♯ TG♯ TRight thumbFF♯G♯Right pinkyPart-filled hole 1 = the hole partly coveredNine keys under the left thumb alone
Left thumb C♯ key · A flick key held down · left hand 1-2-3 · left pinky E♭ key · right hand 1-2 · right pinky F key.
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Printing tips

Laminate the filled chart for the bassoon stand; the flick-key rows and the low thumb ladder are the two places students look mid-piece. Print the blank worksheet by register — the first octave alone is a full lesson. The diagrams survive black-and-white printing: flick keys are dashed outlines, partial holes are part-filled shapes, and nothing depends on colour.

Try a note in the Fingering Finder

Pick an instrument and a note and the diagram updates instantly — filled keys are the ones you press. The same finder sits on every note page, pre-set to that note.

Open the full note page →

Notes students check most

See also the bassoon fingering chart and the printable fingering charts index for the other instruments.

Is the printable bassoon fingering chart really free?

Yes — the filled chart and the blank worksheet are free PDFs for classroom and personal use, with no sign-up.

Which notes use flick keys on this chart?

A3, B♭3, B3 and C4 start with a flick — the key is tapped as the note attacks and then released — and the A flick is held on A4 and B♭4. They are drawn dashed on the printable, from the same flick data as the online chart.

Does the PDF match the online bassoon chart?

Exactly — generated from the same data file, checked against three sources: Yamaha's bassoon chart, the Woodwind Fingering Guide and the First 5 Notes bassoon chart.