The E♭ clarinet uses the identical Boehm key system as the B♭, so every fingering here is the same — only the sounding pitch changes.
The E♭ Clarinet sounds a minor third higher than written — a written C sounds concert E♭. This chart covers 45 notes, E3 to G6. The E♭ clarinet uses the same Boehm key system as the B♭ clarinet, so every fingering below is identical to the B♭ chart. The instrument sounds a minor third higher than written. These are the B♭ fingerings, shown here for convenience.
Every note with the keys to press. Filled circles are closed holes. Reading the written fingering: left hand | right hand. T is the left thumb hole covered, R the register key, RT both together. 1 2 3 are that hand's index, middle and ring finger holes pressed; a dash is that hole open. A letter after the digits (E, F, F#, G#, C#) is a little-finger key of that hand; G# or A before the left-hand digits is a throat key. B between the right-hand digits is the B/F# sliver key, and 4 at the start of the right hand is the lowest right-hand side key (E♭/B♭), not the little finger.
Octave 3 · E3 to B3 (8 fingerings)
E3
Standard. Use with RH little finger or none.
T 123E|123
F3
Standard. Use with LH little finger or none.
T 123|123F
F#3
Standard. Use with RH little finger or none.
T 123F#|123
G3
Standard.
T 123|123
G#3
Standard.
T 123|123G#
A3
Standard.
T 123|12-
Bb3
Standard.
T 123|1--
B3
Standard.
T 123|-2-
Octave 4 · C4 to B4 (12 fingerings)
C4
Standard.
T 123|---
C#4
Standard.
T 123C#|---
D4
Standard.
T 12-|---
Eb4
No diagram for this fingering: see the written fingering below.
Standard.
T 12-|4---
E4
Standard.
T 1--|---
F4
Standard.
T ---|---
F#4
Standard.
1--|---
G4
Standard.
---|---
G#4
Standard.
G#---|---
A4
Standard.
A---|---
Bb4
Standard (Register + A key).
R A---|---
B4
Standard. (Clarion register begins)
RT 123E|123
Octave 5 · C5 to B5 (12 fingerings)
C5
Standard.
RT 123|123F
C#5
Standard.
RT 123F#|123
D5
Standard.
RT 123|123
Eb5
Standard.
RT 123|123G#
E5
Standard.
RT 123|12-
F5
Standard.
RT 123|1--
F#5
Standard.
RT 123|-2-
G5
Standard.
RT 123|---
G#5
Standard.
RT 123C#|---
A5
Standard.
RT 12-|---
Bb5
No diagram for this fingering: see the written fingering below.
Standard.
RT 12-|4---
B5
Standard.
RT 1--|---
Octave 6 · C6 to G6 (13 fingerings)
C6
Standard.
RT ---|---
C#6
Standard. (Altissimo register)
RT -23|12-
D6
1. Standard.
RT -23|1--G#
D6
No diagram for this fingering: see the written fingering below.
2. Less flat, trill fingering with C5.
RT G#---|4---
Eb6
1. Standard.
RT -23|1-B-G#
Eb6
2. Flat, use for facility.
RT -23|-2-G#
E6
Standard.
RT -23|---G#
F6
1. Standard.
RT -23C#|---G#
F6
2. Use for slurring with lower registers and for pp.
RT 123C#|123
F#6
1. Standard.
RT -2-|---G#
F#6
No diagram for this fingering: see the written fingering below.
2. Accurate pitch. Speaks easily in all dynamics.
RT 12-|4---G#
G6
1. Standard.
RT -2-|12-G#
G6
2. Use for slurs from clarion notes.
RT 1--|12-G#
Alternate fingerings
5 notes carry more than one published fingering on the E♭ Clarinet. Each option is shown in the chart above with the reason to choose it: D6, Eb6, F6, F#6, G6.
Questions
What are all the notes on the E♭ Clarinet?
This chart lists every note on the E♭ Clarinet from E3 to G6 — 45 fingerings across 4 octaves: octave 3 (8), octave 4 (12), octave 5 (12), octave 6 (13). Each note is shown with its written-out fingering; 41 of the 45 also have a diagram.
How do you read this chart?
Each card shows one written note and its fingering written out, so it can be read aloud or copied. A diagram is shown wherever it can show the whole fingering; where it cannot (a right-hand side key, written 4), the card says so and the written fingering stands on its own.
How does the E♭ Clarinet transpose?
The E♭ Clarinet sounds a minor third higher than written — a written C sounds concert E♭.
What is the range of the E♭ Clarinet?
This chart runs from E3 to G6.
Which E♭ Clarinet notes have alternate fingerings?
5 notes carry more than one published fingering: D6, Eb6, F6, F#6, G6. The chart shows each option with the reason to choose it.
The Woodwind Fingering Guide (Timothy Reichard). States: "The fingerings generally apply to all sizes (soprano, alto, bass, and contrabass) of clarinets unless specified otherwise."
Klosé, H. Celebrated Method for the Clarinet (1843).
Alfred Music Beginning Band Fingering Chart (Clarinet - general Boehm).
