Clarinet Fingering Chart

The Four Registers of the Clarinet

Understanding clarinet range and registers

Before diving into the fingering chart, it helps to understand how the clarinet’s range is organised. Unlike the saxophone or flute, which overblow at the octave, the clarinet overblows at the interval of a twelfth — an octave plus a fifth. This means that adding the register key does not simply repeat the same fingering pattern an octave higher. Instead, it produces a note a twelfth above, which is why the clarinet’s upper register fingerings look completely different from the lower register. This quirk of acoustics is what gives the clarinet its uniquely wide range, but it also makes the fingering system more complex to learn.

Clarinet range and registers — The four registers colour-coded from chalumeau (green) through throat (gold) and clarion (blue) to altissimo (red), showing the full range of the B♭ clarinet.

Interactive Clarinet Fingering Chart

Click any note to see its fingering

The chart below covers every note on the B♭ clarinet from low E to altissimo C. Click on a note to see fingering descriptions for standard and alternate fingerings, plus practical tips. Notes are colour-coded by register. Use the filter buttons to focus on a specific register.

Crossing the Break

The transition every clarinetist must master

“Crossing the break” is the term clarinet players use for the transition from the throat tones (open G, G♯, A, B♭) into the clarion register (B, C, and above). It is the single most challenging moment in early clarinet playing, and it is the point where many beginners get frustrated. The difficulty arises because you go from having very few fingers down — often just one or two for throat tone A — to covering nearly every hole on the instrument for clarion B, all while adding the register key with your left thumb.

Why it is difficult

The physical challenge is coordination: multiple fingers must move simultaneously and arrive in exactly the right positions. If any tone hole is not fully sealed, the note will squeak, crack, or not speak at all. The right-hand ring-finger hole is the largest on the clarinet and is the most common source of leaks for players with smaller hands. On top of this, the airstream must remain steady — many students instinctively tighten their embouchure or change their air support when they see a high note approaching, which makes the problem worse.

How to practise crossing the break

Crossing the break — The transition from throat tone A (few fingers) to clarion B (nearly all fingers down plus register key). The challenge is coordinating all the finger movements simultaneously while keeping the airstream steady.

Start by practising the break crossing in isolation. Play a slow slur from A (throat tone) to B (clarion), holding each note for four beats. Focus on keeping your air stream absolutely steady — do not blow harder for the B. Keep your fingers close to the keys at all times so the movement is as small and fast as possible. Check that your right-hand fingers are fully covering the tone holes by watching in a mirror.

Once A to B is reliable, practise the chromatic sequence: G♯ → A → B♭ → B → C, all slurred and slow. Then try simple scale passages that cross the break. Practise these every day, and within a few weeks the break will feel like any other part of the instrument.

If you are a parent helping a child who is struggling, the most important thing is patience. A few clarinet lessons with a specialist teacher can make a significant difference at this stage.

The Altissimo Register — A Complete Guide

Clarinet altissimo fingerings, technique, and practice strategy

The altissimo register is where the clarinet’s four-octave range really earns its reputation. Notes above high C (C6) use cross-fingerings and harmonic venting to coax the air column into vibrating at higher partial frequencies. Unlike the chalumeau and clarion registers, where fingerings follow a logical pattern, altissimo fingerings can seem counterintuitive. The good news is that with the right approach, every player can develop a workable altissimo range.

What makes the altissimo different

In the chalumeau register, covering more holes makes the note lower — simple and logical. In the clarion, the register key opens a small vent that encourages the air column to vibrate at the third harmonic. In the altissimo, each note uses a unique combination of open and closed holes that creates a specific venting pattern, encouraging the reed to vibrate at higher harmonics. This is why altissimo fingerings vary so much and why different clarinets respond differently to the same fingering.

The four pillars of altissimo success

Producing a good altissimo note requires four elements working together. First, the correct fingering — but the fingering alone will not make the note speak. Second, fast, focused air: a narrow, high-pressure stream rather than a big blast. Third, your embouchure must be firm at the corners but not biting — increased corner pressure with a flat chin, not more jaw pressure. Fourth, and most overlooked, is voicing: raise the back of your tongue towards the roof of your mouth as if saying “ee” while keeping your throat open. This is the single most important factor in reliable altissimo production.

Common altissimo mistakes

The most common mistake is biting — increased jaw pressure actually restricts the reed and makes things worse. Check your air speed and voicing first. The second mistake is attempting altissimo before the clarion register is secure. The third is expecting every published fingering to work on your clarinet. Treat fingering charts as starting points and experiment.

Altissimo Fingering Chart

Tested fingerings from C♯6 to C7

Clarinet altissimo fingering chart — Tested fingerings from C♯6 to C7 with standard, alternate, and trill options. All fingerings assume Boehm (French) system B♭ clarinet.

The altissimo fingerings listed here have been tested across multiple B♭ clarinets and are presented as reliable starting points. For each note, the first fingering is the most commonly used standard option. Alternates are provided for fast passages, trills, or where the standard is sharp or flat. All fingerings assume Boehm (French) system clarinet. “T” = left thumb, “R” = register key, numbers = fingers counting from index (1) to pinky. LH = left hand, RH = right hand.

Click on the altissimo notes (shown in red) in the interactive chart above to view visual descriptions and written fingerings for every altissimo note. A few practical notes: the right-hand E♭/A♭ key (RH pinky) is used in most altissimo fingerings as a stabiliser. If a note is slightly sharp, try adding an extra finger to lower the pitch. If a note will not speak, slur from the note below rather than tonguing cold.

Alternate Fingerings — When and Why

Choosing the right fingering for the musical context

The clarinet has more alternate fingerings than almost any other woodwind instrument. Some are designed for speed, allowing smoother transitions between specific pairs of notes. Some improve intonation where the standard fingering is sharp or flat. Some produce a different tone colour for a particular dynamic or character. And some are specifically designed for trills.

As a general rule, use the standard fingering unless you have a specific reason to switch. In the interactive chart, alternate fingerings are marked with blue tags and trill fingerings with orange tags. Each includes a description of when it is most useful.

Embouchure and Air Support for High Notes

The technique behind reliable clarinet high notes

The fingering chart gets your fingers in the right place, but your embouchure and air produce the sound. For high notes — whether clarion or altissimo — three adjustments make the biggest difference.

Embouchure

Your basic embouchure should not change dramatically between registers. Top teeth rest gently on the mouthpiece (about 8–10mm from the tip), the bottom lip cushions the reed, and the corners draw inward. For higher notes, increase firmness at the corners — think of tightening a drawstring, not biting down. Keep your chin flat and pointed downward. Most players need only about 10–15% more firmness in the altissimo compared with their best clarion embouchure.

Air support

High notes need fast air, not necessarily more air. Imagine narrowing a garden hose to produce a jet. Breathe from your diaphragm, then support with steady abdominal engagement. A useful exercise: breathe in fully, then hiss on “sss” for as long as you can at a consistent volume. This builds the core support you need for sustained high notes.

Voicing

Voicing for clarinet registers — For low notes, the tongue sits low and the oral cavity is open (think “oh”). For altissimo notes, raise the back of your tongue (think “ee”) to focus the airstream and support higher harmonics.

Voicing — the shape of the inside of your mouth — is the secret weapon of altissimo playing. For low notes, your tongue sits low (think “oh”). For high notes, raise the back of your tongue and narrow the space (think “ee”). This focuses the airstream and encourages higher-frequency vibration. Practise voicing away from the clarinet by whistling — notice how your tongue moves as you change pitch. The same adjustments drive register changes on the clarinet.

Daily Practice Routine for Extending Your Range

A 15-minute plan for building clarinet high notes

Consistency matters more than duration. This routine takes about fifteen minutes and can be added to the start of your normal practice. Practise it daily and most players see noticeable improvement within two to four weeks.

Step 1 — Long tones in the clarion (5 minutes)

Start on clarion B and play a long tone for eight slow beats at mezzo forte. Move up chromatically through C, C♯, D, and on up to high C. Hold each note for eight beats. If a note squeaks, stay on it until it sounds clean before moving on.

Step 2 — Register slurs (5 minutes)

Play a chalumeau note and slur to its clarion equivalent (a twelfth above) without tonguing. Low F → clarion C, low F♯ → clarion C♯, and so on. Keep the air steady and let the register key do the work. Once comfortable, extend by slurring from clarion into altissimo: clarion B♭ → altissimo F, clarion B → altissimo F♯.

Step 3 — Altissimo approach notes (5 minutes)

Start on high C and slur up to C♯. Hold for eight beats. Once stable, move to D, then D♯. Only move on when the current note is reliable. Keep a tuner running — altissimo notes tend to be sharp.

If you would like personalised help, clarinet lessons are available in person in South East London and online. Book a lesson to get started.

Free Printable Clarinet Fingering Chart PDFs

Download, print, and keep in your case

Having a fingering chart in your clarinet case or pinned to your practice room wall makes a real difference. We have put together three free PDF downloads covering the full range of the B♭ clarinet. All are high resolution, print-ready at A4 or Letter size, and designed to be clear at a glance.

Free Download

Beginner Clarinet Fingering Chart

First octave notes only • Large diagrams • Ideal for new players
A4 / Letter • High resolution • Print-ready

Download Beginner PDF

All PDFs are completely free — no email sign-up required. If you find them useful, consider sharing this page with a fellow clarinetist. And if you would like personalised guidance, book a lesson — we cover everything from first notes to advanced altissimo technique.