The oboe is a non-transposing instrument: what is written is what sounds.
The Oboe is non-transposing: it reads and sounds at concert pitch. This chart covers 55 notes, Bb3 to D7.
The chart
Every note with the keys to press. Filled circles are closed holes.
Octave 3 · Bb3 to B3 (2 fingerings)
Bb3
Standard.
123Bb|123C
B3
1. Standard.
123B|123C
Octave 4 · C4 to B4 (13 fingerings)
C4
Standard.
123|123C
C#4
Standard.
123|123C#
D4
Standard.
123|123
Eb4
Standard.
123|123Eb
E4
Standard.
123|12-
F4
1. Standard (Fork F).
123|12F-
F4
2. Use with RH 3 fingerings (Left F).
123F|12-
F#4
Standard.
123|1--
G4
Standard.
123|---
G#4
Standard.
123G#|---
A4
Standard.
12-|---
Bb4
Standard.
12-|1--
B4
Standard.
1--|---
Octave 5 · C5 to B5 (13 fingerings)
C5
Standard.
1--|1--
C#5
Standard. (0 = 1st octave key)
023|123C#
D5
Standard.
023|123
Eb5
Standard.
023|123Eb
E5
Standard. (I = 2nd octave key)
I 123|12-
F5
1. Standard.
I 123|12F-
F5
2. Use with RH 3.
I 123F|12-
F#5
Standard.
I 123|1--
G5
Standard.
I 123|---
G#5
Standard.
I 123G#|---
A5
Standard. (II = 3rd octave key)
II 12-|---
Bb5
Standard.
II 12-|1--
B5
Standard.
II 1--|---
Octave 6 · C6 to B6 (23 fingerings)
C6
Standard.
II 1--|1--
C#6
1. Standard.
-23|1--C
C#6
2. Good for English horn.
-23|12-C
D6
1. Standard.
023|---C
D6
2. Good intonation.
023|-2-C
Eb6
1. Standard.
023B|-23
Eb6
2. Use in combination with Eb5 or D6.
023|-23Eb
E6
1. Standard.
I 023G# Eb|-23
E6
2. Alternate.
I 023|G#-23Eb
F6
1. Standard.
I 02-G# Eb|-23
F6
2. Alternate.
I 02-|G#-23Eb
F#6
1. Standard.
I 12-|12F-
F#6
2. Alternate.
I 12-F|12-
G6
1. Standard.
I 1-3|1--
G6
2. Alternate.
I 1B--|1--C
G#6
1. Standard.
I 1-3B|-23
G#6
2. Alternate.
I 1--|1--
A6
1. Standard.
I 0-3|-2-
A6
2. Alternate.
I --3|-23
Bb6
1. Standard.
I -D-3G#|--3Eb
Bb6
2. Alternate.
I -D-3Eb|G#--3
B6
1. Standard.
I -D-3G#|-D-3Eb
B6
2. Alternate.
I -D-3Eb|G#-D-3
Octave 7 · C7 to D7 (4 fingerings)
C7
1. Standard.
I -D-3G#|1D-3Eb
C7
2. Alternate.
I -D-3Eb|G#1D-3
C#7
Standard. No authoritative
II 02C#-|1D--
D7
Not verified — no published fingering confirmed. source lists a confirmed fingering.
UNVERIFIED
Alternate fingerings
14 notes carry more than one published fingering on the Oboe. Each option is shown in the chart above with the reason to choose it: F4, F5, C#6, D6, Eb6, E6, F6, F#6, G6, G#6, A6, Bb6, B6, C7.
Questions
What are all the notes on the Oboe?
This chart lists every note on the Oboe from Bb3 to D7 — 55 fingerings across 5 octaves: octave 3 (2), octave 4 (13), octave 5 (13), octave 6 (23), octave 7 (4). 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 Oboe transpose?
The Oboe is non-transposing: it reads and sounds at concert pitch.
What is the range of the Oboe?
This chart runs from Bb3 to D7.
Which Oboe notes have alternate fingerings?
14 notes carry more than one published fingering: F4, F5, C#6, D6, Eb6, E6, F6, F#6, G6, G#6, A6, Bb6, B6, C7. The chart shows each option with the reason to choose it.
