How to play F natural on the flute: Fingering and trill chart for low and high octaves

In classical music, F natural refers to the note F that is not modified by any accidental. The natural sign (♮) is used to indicate that the note should be played without any alteration to its pitch. In some musical contexts, F might be modified by a sharp (♯) or a flat (♭), but when F is referred to as “F natural,” it means that it should be played as the regular, unmodified F note.

F natural flute fingering chart

Below is a flute fingering chart for F natural, from low to high F natural;

F natural flute fingering chart

What is F natural on the flute?

On the flute, F natural is the note that is a semitone lower than F sharp and a semitone higher than F flat. It is also the note that is a whole tone lower than G natural and a whole tone higher than E natural. The F natural doesn’t share its fingering with any other note on the flute.

How to play F natural on the flute: finger position and placement

To play the F natural note on the flute, you need to cover the appropriate tone holes with your fingers. There are three different F naturals that can be played on the C flute and they include the low F natural, middle F natural, and high F natural. Below are fingering charts and finger placements on the various ranges of F natural you can play on the C flute.

Low F natural flute fingering chart (First space of the treble staff)

To play the lowest F 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 the key that the right index finger is supposed to close while leaving the right ring and middle finger open.
  • then press the D sharp lever key on your right little finger.
how to play low f on flute

Middle F natural flute fingering chart (Fifth line of the treble staff)

To play the middle F 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 the key that the right index finger is supposed to close while leaving the right ring and middle finger open.
  • then press the D sharp lever key on your right little finger.
low f flute

High F natural flute fingering chart (Third ledger line above the treble staff)

If you want to know how to play high F natural on the flute, you need to;

  • close every key that is meant to be closed with your right index finger and ring finger while leaving the key for the right middle finger open.
  • press the B key with your left thumb.
  • press the key that the right index finger is supposed to close leaving the right ring finger and middle finger open.
  • then press the D sharp lever key on your right little finger.
high f on flute

F natural trill on the flute

F natural to F sharp trill chart for flute

To play F natural to F sharp trill on the flute, use the flute trill fingering chart below:

F natural to F sharp trill chart for flute

E flat to F natural trill chart for flute

To play E flat to F natural trill on the flute, use the flute trill fingering chart below:

E flat to F natural trill chart for flute

E natural to F natural trill chart for flute

To play E natural to F natural trill on the flute, use the flute trill fingering chart below:

E natural to F natural trill chart for flute

F natural to G natural trill chart for flute

To play F natural to G natural trill on the flute, use the flute trill fingering chart below:

F natural to G natural trill chart for flute

F natural to G flat trill chart for flute

To play F natural to G flat trill on the flute, use the flute trill fingering chart below:

F natural to G flat trill chart for flute

F natural scales on the flute

F major scale for flute

F major scale for flute
The F major scale is a musical scale that consists of the following notes: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, and E. This scale is commonly used in a variety of musical genres, including classical, jazz, and pop music. To play the F major scale on the flute, you would start on the note F and play each subsequent note in order until you reach the next F.

F minor scale for flute

F minor scale for flute

The F minor scale is a musical scale that consists of the following notes: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, and Eb. This scale is often used in various musical genres such as classical, jazz, and pop music to create a darker or more somber sound than the F major scale. To play the F minor scale on the flute, you would start on the note F and play each subsequent note in order until you reach the next F.

F chromatic scale for flute

F chromatic scale for flute

The F chromatic scale is a musical scale that consists of all the notes in the octave, including both the natural notes (A, B, C, D, E, F, and G) and the sharps and flats (A#/Bb, C#/Db, D#/Eb, F#/Gb, G#/Ab). When played in ascending order, it creates a sequence of 12 consecutive semitones. To play the F chromatic scale on the flute, you would start on the note F and play each subsequent note in order until you reach the next F one octave higher.

Reasons and what to do if your flute F key is not working

If your flute’s F key is not working, there may be several reasons why this is happening.

One possibility is that the key may be bent or misaligned, preventing it from functioning properly. In this case, it may be necessary to have the flute inspected by a qualified repair technician who can assess the problem and make any necessary adjustments or repairs.

Another possible cause could be a mechanical issue with the key itself, such as a broken spring or pad. If this is the case, the key may need to be replaced or repaired.

Additionally, there may be issues with the flute’s overall condition, such as build-up of debris or corrosion, which can affect the functioning of the keys. Regular maintenance and cleaning of the instrument can help prevent these problems from occurring.

In any case, it’s important to have your flute checked by a professional repair technician to diagnose and address any issues with the instrument.

Flute pieces that were written in F natural (major or minor key)

Sonata in F major for Flute and Piano by Georg Philipp Telemann

Georg Philipp Telemann was a German composer and musician of the Baroque era, known for his prolific output of instrumental music. One of his notable works is the Sonata in F major for Flute and Piano.

The sonata consists of four movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, marked “Largo,” is a slow and expressive introduction that sets the tone for the piece. The second movement, marked “Vivace,” is a lively dance with quick runs and playful melodies.

The third movement, marked “Adagio,” is a somber and introspective interlude that provides a contrast to the previous movement. The final movement, marked “Allegro,” is a fast and energetic conclusion that showcases the technical abilities of both the flute and piano.

Overall, the Sonata in F major for Flute and Piano is a beautiful example of Telemann’s skill in writing for the flute, and is a popular piece in the repertoire of flutists and pianists alike.

Gigue in F minor, BWV 845 for flute

Gigue in F minor, BWV 845 was not originally composed for flute. It is a keyboard piece by Johann Sebastian Bach and is typically played on a piano or harpsichord.

However, it is possible to arrange the piece for flute, and there may be transcriptions available for flute players. If you are interested in playing this piece on the flute, you may want to look for arrangements or transcriptions specifically written for the flute.

Marcello flute sonata in F major

The Marcello Flute Sonata in F Major is a Baroque sonata composed by Benedetto Marcello, an Italian composer and nobleman of the 18th century. The sonata is one of the few surviving works of Marcello, who was known primarily for his vocal music.

The sonata is written for flute and basso continuo, and consists of four movements. The first movement is a lively and upbeat Allegro, followed by a slow and expressive Adagio. The third movement is a cheerful Allegro, and the sonata concludes with a lively and energetic Presto.

The Marcello Flute Sonata in F Major is a popular piece in the flute repertoire, showcasing the technical abilities of the instrument and the composer’s skill in writing for it.