PlaysoloistWinds & FlutesTin WhistleFinger chart
Free reference · Winds & Flutes
Tin Whistle Finger Chart (Penny Whistle) D, Printable
A D tin whistle has six finger holes and no keys. This chart covers its usual lower and upper registers. Uncovering holes from the bottom up produces the D major scale; the second octave uses the same fingerings blown with faster air. Only two notes break the pattern: second-octave D, which most players vent by lifting the top hole, and C natural, played by cross-fingering. The highest D is instrument-dependent: use your maker’s fingering guidance instead of a universal diagram or forcing the breath.
Tap or click any row to see it on the whistle.
The chart, both octaves
| Note | Holes 1–6 | Pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| D5 | ●●●●●● | ||
| E5 | ●●●●●○ | ||
| F♯5 | ●●●●○○ | ||
| G5 | ●●●○○○ | ||
| A5 | ●●○○○○ | ||
| B5 | ●○○○○○ | ||
| C6 (C♮) | ○●●○○○ | alt ○●●●●○, or half-hole ◐○○○○○ — whistle-dependent, test with a tuner | |
| C♯6 | ○○○○○○ |
| Note | Holes 1–6 | Pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| D6 | ○●●●●● | vented (top hole lifted) — cleaner; alt: all six covered, overblown | |
| E6 | ●●●●●○ | ||
| F♯6 | ●●●●○○ | ||
| G6 | ●●●○○○ | ||
| A6 | ●●○○○○ | ||
| B6 | ●○○○○○ | ||
| C7 (C♮) | ○●●○○○ | cross-fingering varies by whistle more than any other note — test with a tuner | |
| C♯7 | ○○○○○○ |
| Note | Holes 1–6 | Pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| F♮ | ●●●●◐○ | top four covered, hole 5 half-covered, bottom hole open — adjust with a tuner |
A general D-whistle reference to use alongside Session Whistle. Cross-fingerings and half-holes need small adjustments on different instruments. Compare with your maker’s chart and check the pitch with a tuner.
How to read this chart
- Holes read top to bottom: hole 1 is nearest the mouthpiece, hole 6 at the bottom. In the rows below they read left to right. ● = covered, ○ = open, ◐ = half-covered.
- Second octave = same fingerings, faster and firmer breath. Don’t blow “harder” from the throat; narrow the air.
- C natural has two standard cross-fingerings; which is better in tune depends on your whistle — test both with a tuner.
- Half-holing (◐) slides the finger to uncover half the hole; it’s the standard route to F natural and an in-tune C natural.
Questions
Which C natural fingering should I use — OXX OOO or OXX XXO?
Both are legitimate; makers voice their whistles differently, so one will be better in tune on your instrument. OXX OOO is faster to finger; OXX XXO is often steadier on brass whistles. Play each against a tuner once and commit to the winner — or half-hole the top hole when intonation is critical.
How do I reach the second octave without a register key?
Breath alone. Keep the same fingering and push a faster, narrower air stream — think “cold air” instead of “more air.” Practice octave jumps on G: if the low note won't speak, you're overblowing; if the high note drops, support more from the diaphragm.
Keep exploring
Put the chart to work
Put the fingerings into a tune.
Browse Session Whistle’s free Irish tune book, see six-hole fingerings, and slow down playback. Optional Pro adds teaching tools — pay once with Lifetime, or subscribe. Prices appear in the app before purchase.
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