How to Finger High D on a Flute

Finger the high D on your flute.

The flute is capable of hitting three octaves in the standard orchestral range, but there is a fourth octave that is less commonly used. This fourth octave, requiring a great deal of air, is the highest in pitch and sounds very shrill when not performed correctly. There are 18 keys on the standard flute, so both your right and left hands must be placed on the correct holes and levers to get in the high D.

Instructions

1. Put your left thumb on the B natural lever.

2. Place your left ring finger on the on the three hole, or the G.

3. Place your left pinky finger on the G sharp key. This is the small lever next to the G key.

4. Place your right index finger on the one hole, or the F key.

5. Place your right middle finger on the two hole, or the E key.

6. Place your right pinky on the low C key.

References

• Flute Info: Fingering Chart
• Woodwind Fingering Guide: Fingering Scheme for Flute and Piccolo
• Woodwind Fingering Guide: Fourth Octave
• Cyber Flute: 4th octave D Fingering