The bassoon is non-transposing and reads in bass clef.
The Bassoon is non-transposing: it reads and sounds at concert pitch, in bass clef. This chart covers 66 notes, Bb1 to G#5.
The chart
Every note with the keys to press. Filled circles are closed holes.
Octave 1 · Bb1 to B1 (2 fingerings)
Bb1
Standard.
Bb B C D 123|E 123F
B1
1. Standard.
B C D 123|E 123F
Octave 2 · C2 to B2 (12 fingerings)
C2
Standard..
C D 123|E 123F
C#2
Standard.
C D 123C#|E 123F
D2
Standard.
D 123|E 123F
Eb2
Standard.
D 123Eb|E 123F
E2
Standard. (W = Whisper key)
W 123|E 123F
F2
Standard.
W 123|123F
F#2
Standard.
W 123|F# 123F
G2
Standard.
W 123|123
G#2
Standard.
W 123|123G#
A2
Standard.
W 123|12-
Bb2
Standard.
W 123|Bb 12-
B2
Standard.
W 123|1--
Octave 3 · C3 to B3 (16 fingerings)
C3
Standard.
W 123|---
C#3
Standard.
C# W 123|---
D3
Standard.
W 12-|---
Eb3
1. Standard.
W 1-3|---
Eb3
2. Great for pp.
W 1-3|Bb -2-
E3
Standard.
W 1--|---
F3
Standard.
W ---|---
F#3
Standard. Leave >half of LH 1 open.
W ¼23|F# 123F
G3
Standard. Cover half of LH 1.
W ½23Eb|123
G#3
Standard. Cover >half of LH 1.
W ¾23|123G#
A3
1. Standard.
123|12-
A3
2. Flick fingering for slurs. (a = high A key)
a 123|12-
Bb3
1. Standard.
123|Bb 12-
Bb3
2. Flick for slurs.
a 123|Bb 12-
B3
1. Standard.
123|1--
B3
2. Flick for slurs. (b = high B key)
b 123|1--
Octave 4 · C4 to B4 (20 fingerings)
C4
1. Standard.
123|---
C4
2. Flick for slurs.
b 123|---
C#4
Standard.
D C# 123|---
D4
1. Standard.
12-|---
D4
2. Flick for slurs. (d = high D key)
d 12-|---
Eb4
Standard.
12-|123
E4
Standard.
1-3Eb|123
F4
Standard.
1-3Eb|12-
F#4
1. Standard.
-23Eb|Bb 12-
F#4
2. Standard.
-23Eb|12-F
G4
1. Standard.
W ½23Eb|1--F
G4
2. Alternate.
W ½23|1--F
G#4
1. Standard.
W ¾23Eb|--3
G#4
2. Alternate.
W ½23Eb|--3
A4
1. Standard.
a C# 123Eb|--3
A4
2. Alternate.
a C# 123Eb|---F
Bb4
1. Standard.
a C# 123Eb|12-F
Bb4
2. Alternate.
a C# 123|12-F
B4
1. Standard.
b 12-Eb|Bb 12-F
B4
2. Alternate.
b 12-Eb|Bb 1--F
Octave 5 · C5 to G#5 (16 fingerings)
C5
1. Standard.
b 1--Eb|Bb 12-F
C5
2. Alternate.
b 1--Eb|Bb 1--F
C#5
1. Standard.
d b 1-3Eb|1-3
C#5
2. Alternate.
d 1-3Eb|1-3
D5
1. Standard.
d -½3Eb|Bb --3F
D5
2. Alternate.
d -23Eb|Bb --3G#
Eb5
1. Standard.
d -eb-3Eb|Bb --3G#
Eb5
2. Alternate.
d -eb-3|Bb --3G#
E5
1. Standard.
C# ½23|G# 123F
E5
2. Flat.
C# -eb23|-2-F#
F5
1. Bright and full of overtones.
C# 12-|F# 123G#
F5
2. Bright and full of overtones.
C# 12-|F# 123F
F#5
Not verified — no published fingering confirmed. No primary fingering confirmed by WFG.
UNVERIFIED
G5
1. Requires tight embouchure.
a 1--|---
G5
2. Requires tight embouchure.
a 12-|1--
G#5
Not verified — no published fingering confirmed. Not listed in standard extended range.
UNVERIFIED
Alternate fingerings
19 notes carry more than one published fingering on the Bassoon. Each option is shown in the chart above with the reason to choose it: Eb3, A3, Bb3, B3, C4, D4, F#4, G4, G#4, A4, Bb4, B4, C5, C#5, D5, Eb5, E5, F5, G5.
Questions
What are all the notes on the Bassoon?
This chart lists every note on the Bassoon from Bb1 to G#5 — 66 fingerings across 5 octaves: octave 1 (2), octave 2 (12), octave 3 (16), octave 4 (20), octave 5 (16). Each note is shown with a diagram and the written-out fingering.
How do you read this chart?
Each card shows one written note, a diagram of what to press, and the same fingering written out underneath so it can be read aloud or copied.
How does the Bassoon transpose?
The Bassoon is non-transposing: it reads and sounds at concert pitch, in bass clef.
What is the range of the Bassoon?
This chart runs from Bb1 to G#5.
Which Bassoon notes have alternate fingerings?
19 notes carry more than one published fingering: Eb3, A3, Bb3, B3, C4, D4, F#4, G4, G#4, A4, Bb4, B4, C5, C#5, D5, Eb5, E5, F5, G5. The chart shows each option with the reason to choose it.
