Every piccolo player needs a good piccolo fingering chart. While many of the fingerings are the same as the flute, some are quite different.
Bookmark this page and refer back to it whenever you forget a fingering or need to learn a new one!
Note: I created this fingering chart using Bret Pimentel’s Fingering Diagram Builder and Note Image Generator.
How to Use the Piccolo Fingering Chart
This fingering chart includes the written note for the piccolo (sounds an octave higher). Next to each note is the standard fingering and, when applicable, some common alternate fingerings.
First Octave Piccolo Fingerings
The first octave of the piccolo can sound somewhat airy, but it can also sound amazing with practice. Most of the fingerings in this octave are the same as those of the low register of the flute.
Of course, the piccolo can’t play as low as the flute, except for a few, very expensive models. Consider the following fingerings to help refine your playing of the low notes.
Alternate Bb:
Another alternate Bb:
Add some or all right hand keys to help keep C# in tune
Second Octave Piccolo Fingerings
In ensembles, you probably won’t use the first octave that much, but the second octave is more common. Many of the fingerings are the same between these octaves, so you’ll use your air stream to change the pitch.
The standard and alternate fingerings are almost identical in this octave. Here are the fingerings you should know as you start to play higher on the piccolo.
Alternate E:
Another alternate E:
Alternate F:
Alternate F#:
Alternate A:
Alternate Bb:
Another alternate Bb:
Alternate B:
Another alternate B:
Alternate C:
Another alternate C:
Alternate C#:
Another alternate C#:
Yet another alternate C#:
One more:
Third Octave Piccolo Fingerings
The third octave of the piccolo is where you get to shine since it sounds higher than the flute’s standard range. Now, the fingerings in this octave of the piccolo are the same as the written notes on the flute.
But compared to the first and second octaves, this one involves more forked fingerings and alternate fingerings. Consider the following notes and some of the more common fingerings you might use.
Alternate D:
Another alternate D:
Alternate E to prevent cracking (good if you don’t have a split E):
Another alternate E:
One more:
Alternate F:
Alternate F#:
Another alternate F#:
Yet another:
One more:
Alternate G# if you don’t have a G# mechanism:
Alternate A:
Another alternate A:
Alternate Bb:
Another alternate Bb:
Adding the pinky:
Alternate B:
Another alternate B:
Alternate high C:
Another alternate:
Swap the trill keys:
Add the thumb:
For B to C trills:
Fourth Octave Piccolo Fingerings
The fourth octave is rarely used, but you may want to know some of the standard and alternate fingerings. That way, you’ll be prepared if you ever come across these high notes.
Another C#:
Yet another C#:
A similar fingering:
One more:
Another high D:
Last one:
