The TinWhistle fingering table

Legende

o = open
* =closed
/ = half covered (but not preferred)

The fingering of the lower and upper oktave.
You can start a tune from 3 positions on your whistle if you know the key signature.

First look at the grips, then read the instrucions - maybe you will like advanced instructions ..

My Whistles are in  Bb , C , D , Eb , F , G / see my   Keytable
The fingering of the lower oktave normal

 ^ 

6
---
*
*
*
*
*
*

 ^ 

5
---
*
*
*
*
*
o

 ^ 

4
---
*
*
*
*
o
o

 ^ 

3
---
*
*
*
o
o
o

 ^ 

2
---
*
*
o
o
o
o

 ^ 

1
---
*
o
o
o
o
o

 ^ 

0
---
o
o
o
o
o
*

in [position 1] play this:

Fingering the major scales:
6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 0 - 6+ usw
Bb-major C-major D-major Eb-major F-major G-major

Fingering the minor scales:
1 - 0 - 6+ - 5+ - 4+ - 3+ - 2+ - 1+
G-minor A-minor B-minor C-minor D-minor E-minor

It is recommanded to cover the lowest whole of grip 0 with the ringfinger of your right hand.
You will get a save holding of your instrument.
 
Grips of the upper oktave

 ^ 

6+
---
o
*
*
*
*
*

 ^ 

5+
---
*
*
*
*
*
o

 ^ 

4+
---
*
*
*
*
o
o

 ^ 

3+
---
*
*
*
o
o
o

 ^ 

2+
---
*
*
o
o
o
o

 ^ 

1+
---
*
o
o
o
o
o

 ^ 

0+
---
o
o
o
o
o
o

In [position 2] substitute 0 with b

Fingering the major scales:
3 - 2 - 1 - b - 6+ - 5+ - 4+ - 3+ etc.
Eb-major F-major G-major Ab-major B-major C-major

Fingering the minor scales:
5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - b - 6+ - 5+
c-minor d-minor e-minor f-minor g-minor a-minor

 ^ 

b
---
o
*
*
o
o
o

 ^ 

b+
---
o
*
o
*
*
o

please have in mind that fingering the upper scale needs overblowing and some modification.
 
Special grips for common whistles

 ^ 

6+
---
o
*
*
*
*
*

 ^ 

5+
---
*
*
*
*
*
o

 ^ 

4+
---
*
*
*
*
o
o

 ^ 

3+
---
*
*
*
o
o
o

 ^ 

2+
---
*
*
o
o
o
o

 ^ 

1+
---
*
o
o
o
o
o

 ^ 

0+
---
o
o
o
o
o
o

In [position 3] substitute 3 with #

Fingering the major scales:
2 - 1 - 0 - 6+ - 5+ - 4+ - #+ - 2+ etc.
F-major G-major A-major Bb-major C-major D-major

Fingering the minor scales:
4 - # - 2 - 1 - 0 - 6+ - 5+ - 4+ - #+ etc.
d-minor e-minor f#-minor g-minor a-minor b-minor

 ^ 

#
---
*
*
/
o
o
o

 ^ 

#+
---
*
*
o
*
*
o

Only on the common D-whistle you can add another major and minor scale with grip 3: [A-major  and  f#-minor].
On the other hand it may be usefully to play the whistle in a lower or upper range.
It is recommanded to avoid tone  [#]  and use only the upper octave with tone (#+) .


back