In music theory, “E natural” refers to the pitch E played without any alterations or modifications, such as sharps (#) or flats (b). It is also known as the “pure” or “normal” E.
E natural flute fingering chart
What is E natural on the flute?
On the flute, E natural is the note that is a semitone lower than E sharp and a semitone higher than E flat. It is also the note that is a whole tone lower than F natural and a whole tone higher than D natural. The E natural doesn’t share its fingering with any other note on the flute.
How to play E natural on flute: finger position and placement
There are three different E naturals that can be played on the C flute and they include the low E natural, middle E natural, and high E natural. Below are fingering charts and finger placements on the various ranges of E natural you can play on the C flute.
Low E natural flute fingering chart (First line of the treble staff)
To play the lowest E natural on the flute, you need to:
- close every key that is meant to be closed with your right finger except for the G sharp lever that is closed with the left little finger.
- press the B key with your left thumb.
- press every key that the right index finger and middle finger are supposed to close leaving the right ring open.
- then press the D sharp lever key on your right little finger.
Middle E natural flute fingering chart (Fourth space of the treble staff)
To play the middle E natural on the flute, you need to;
- close every key that is meant to be closed with your right finger except for the G sharp lever that is closed with the left little finger.
- press the B key with your left thumb.
- press every key that the right index finger and middle finger are supposed to close leaving the right ring open.
- then press the D sharp lever key on your right little finger.
High E natural flute fingering chart (Third ledger line above the treble staff)
If you want to know how to play high E natural on the flute, you need to;
- close every key that is meant to be closed with your right index finger and middle finger while leaving the key for the right ring finger open.
- press the B key with your left thumb.
- press every key that the right index finger and middle finger are supposed to close leaving the right ring finger open.
- then press the D sharp lever key on your right little finger.
- For an alternate fingering for a high E natural flute fingering, you will need to use the fingering for low and middle E natural as stated above but you will have to increase the pressure of air that you will blow into the flute so as to give you a higher pitch.
E natural trill on the flute
D to E natural trill chart for flute
To play D to E natural trill on the flute, use the flute trill fingering chart below:
D sharp to E natural trill chart for flute
To play D sharp to E natural trill on the flute, use the flute trill fingering chart below:
E natural to F natural trill flute chart
To play E natural to F natural trill on the flute, use the flute trill fingering chart below:
E natural to F sharp trill flute chart
To play E natural to F sharp trill on the flute, use the flute trill fingering chart below:
E natural scales on the flute
E major scale for flute
The E major scale is a diatonic scale that consists of the pitches E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, and D#. It has a specific pattern of whole and half steps between each note, which is: W – W – H – W – W – W – H. This means that the distance between the notes E and F#, and between B and C#, is a half step, while the other intervals are whole steps. The E major scale is commonly used in classical, pop, and rock music.
E minor scale for flute
The E major scale is a diatonic scale that consists of the pitches E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, and D#. It has a specific pattern of whole and half steps between each note, which is: W – W – H – W – W – W – H. This means that the distance between the notes E and F#, and between B and C#, is a half step, while the other intervals are whole steps. The E major scale is commonly used in classical, pop, and rock music.
E chromatic scale for flute
The E chromatic scale is a 12-tone scale that includes all the pitches within one octave, from E to E. It is called “chromatic” because it includes every note in the chromatic system, meaning that each successive note is separated by a half step. The E chromatic scale includes the pitches E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, C, C#, D, and D#. It is used in a variety of musical styles and genres and is often employed for technical exercises and warm-ups for instrumentalists.
Flute pieces that were written in E natural (major or minor key)
- Bach flute sonata E major BWV 1035
- Bach flute sonata E minor BWV 1034
- Devienne flute sonata E minor
- Leclair flute sonata E minor
- Franz Benda Flute Concerto E minor
- Flute Concerto No.7 in E minor (Devienne, François)
- Saverio Mercadante Flute Concerto in E minor
- Telemann concerto for Flute, Recorder, and strings in E minor
