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Recorder fingering chart for beginners
Every beginner note on the soprano (descant) recorder, the one most children learn at school, with baroque (English) fingering. Tap a note for how to play it and what to do when it squeaks.
Thumb hole covered, holes 1 2 3 4 5 6 covered
low EThumb hole covered, holes 1 2 3 4 5 covered
F#Thumb hole covered, holes 1 2 3 5 6 covered
GThumb hole covered, holes 1 2 3 covered
AThumb hole covered, holes 1 2 covered
BThumb hole covered, hole 1 covered
high CThumb hole covered, hole 2 covered
high DThumb hole open, hole 2 covered
high EThumb hole half covered (pinched), holes 1 2 covered
How to read the chart
- Filled holes are covered, open holes are left open. The hole drawn beside the recorder is the thumb hole at the back.
- Left hand on top: the thumb covers the back hole, and the pointer, middle and ring fingers cover holes 1, 2 and 3.
- Right hand below: the pointer, middle, ring and little fingers cover holes 4 to 7. The right thumb rests underneath, between holes 4 and 5, to hold the recorder.
- Half-filled thumb (high E): the thumb is "pinched", leaving a small gap at the top of the hole.
Which notes to learn first
Start with B, A and G, using only the left hand. Then high C and high D. When those feel easy, add the right hand for low E, low D and F#, and finally the pinched high E. That's the order of the lessons in Recorder Hero, and every song lists the notes it uses.
Baroque or German fingering?
Most recorders sold today use baroque (English) fingering, and this chart is for those. Some school recorders use German fingering, which makes F a little easier but other notes harder; it's often marked with a "G" or "German" on the recorder. For B, A, G, high C and high D the two are the same.
▶ Practice the notes with Recorder HeroFree, in your browser: it listens as you play and shows which finger to fix.