Use this page as a cheat sheet: the C major scale (C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C) on each instrument, the way most beginners learn it. Numbers are fingers: on flute and violin, 1 = index, 2 = middle, 3 = ring. On the recorder, 0 is the thumb hole and 1 to 7 are the holes from top to bottom.
| Note | Flute | Recorder | Guitar | Violin | Piano |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | thumb + left 1, 2, 3 + right 1, 2, 3 + right pinky on the low C key | 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (all) | 5th string, fret 3 (ring finger) | G string, finger 3 | white key left of the 2 black keys · finger 1 |
| D | thumb + left 1, 2, 3 + right 1, 2, 3 (pinky off) | 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 | 4th string open | D string open | next white key · finger 2 |
| E | thumb + left 1, 2, 3 + right 1, 2 + pinky on E♭ key | 0 1 2 3 4 5 | 4th string, fret 2 (middle) | D string, finger 1 | white key right of the 2 black keys · finger 3 |
| F | thumb + left 1, 2, 3 + right 1 + pinky on E♭ | 0 1 2 3 4 6 7 (German fingering: 0 1 2 3 4) | 4th string, fret 3 (ring) | D string, low 2 (next to 1) | white key left of the 3 black keys · finger 1 (thumb passes under) |
| G | thumb + left 1, 2, 3 + pinky on E♭ | 0 1 2 3 | 3rd string open | D string, finger 3 | next white key · finger 2 |
| A | thumb + left 1, 2 + pinky on E♭ | 0 1 2 | 3rd string, fret 2 (middle) | A string open | next white key · finger 3 |
| B | thumb + left 1 + pinky on E♭ | 0 1 | 2nd string open | A string, finger 1 | white key right of the 3 black keys · finger 4 |
| C | left 1 only (no thumb) + pinky on E♭ | 0 2 | 2nd string, fret 1 (index) | A string, low 2 | the next C · finger 5 |
Full chart for each instrument
For sharps, flats and higher notes, open your instrument's page:
Look it up in the app, with a drawing
In the app's Fingerings tab you pick any note and see the fingers on the instrument, with the sound. If you can't read notes on the staff yet, see how to read sheet music and the 7 musical notes.
🎹 Chords: chord notes chart · piano chords · guitar chord chart
Frequently asked questions
What are the 7 musical notes?
C, D, E, F, G, A and B (Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si). After B comes C again, one octave higher.
Where is C on the piano?
It's the white key just to the left of the group of two black keys. Middle C is near the center of the keyboard.
Why does F on the recorder have two fingerings?
It depends on the model: baroque recorders play F with 0 1 2 3 4 6 7, German ones with 0 1 2 3 4.