Piccolo Fingering Chart

How to Read a Piccolo Fingering Chart

Filled circles show pressed keys; open circles remain released. The page labels written notes because that is what piccolo players see in their parts.

• Written D5 sounds as D6.
• The six main circles correspond to the first three fingers of each hand.
• Thumb and auxiliary keys are shown separately.
• Use instrument-specific alternates when a high note is unstable or out of tune.

Use Flute Finger Knowledge, Then Adjust the Air

Many basic shapes transfer from flute, but piccolo needs a faster, narrower air stream. Begin softly with a tuner and avoid pinching; high-register intonation improves when the air is focused and the throat remains open.

Written Pitch vs Sounding Pitch

Piccolo is written in concert notation but sounds one octave higher. The octave displacement keeps piccolo music readable on the treble staff. This chart therefore names written notes and states the sounding relationship clearly.

Piccolo-Specific High Fingerings

Professional players use alternate fingerings to stabilize pitch, color, and response in the upper register. Those choices vary by instrument, so this beginner chart establishes the common written-note shapes before model-specific alternates and trill patterns.