Bass Clarinet · treble clef
Bass Clarinet Scales
All 12 major scales for bass clarinet, one octave each, with the fingering for every note. Each scale is named by its concert key, with the written key you read beside it.
Concert C major written D major
Thumb comes off the hole; only the first finger stays down.
Open G: nothing pressed, but keep your fingers close to the holes.
Roll the first finger up to the A key instead of lifting it.
Crossing the break: same as low E plus the register key. Seal every hole and keep the throat open; don't pinch.
Same as low F♯ plus the register key.
Same as low G plus the register key.
Concert F major written G major
Open G: nothing pressed, but keep your fingers close to the holes.
Roll the first finger up to the A key instead of lifting it.
Crossing the break: same as low E plus the register key. Seal every hole and keep the throat open; don't pinch.
Same as low F plus the register key. Voice it low, as if you were still playing low F.
Same as low G plus the register key.
Concert B♭ major written C major
Open G: nothing pressed, but keep your fingers close to the holes.
Roll the first finger up to the A key instead of lifting it.
Crossing the break: same as low E plus the register key. Seal every hole and keep the throat open; don't pinch.
Same as low F plus the register key. Voice it low, as if you were still playing low F.
Concert E♭ major written F major
Open G: nothing pressed, but keep your fingers close to the holes.
Roll the first finger up to the A key instead of lifting it.
Press the A key and the register key together; keep the right ring finger up so the correct vent opens.
Same as low F plus the register key. Voice it low, as if you were still playing low F.
Same as low G plus the register key.
Concert A♭ major written B♭ major
Open G: nothing pressed, but keep your fingers close to the holes.
Roll the first finger up to the A key instead of lifting it.
Press the A key and the register key together; keep the right ring finger up so the correct vent opens.
Concert D♭ major written E♭ major
Open G: nothing pressed, but keep your fingers close to the holes.
Press the side of the first finger against the G♯ key.
Press the A key and the register key together; keep the right ring finger up so the correct vent opens.
Same as low F plus the register key. Voice it low, as if you were still playing low F.
Same as low G plus the register key.
Concert G♭ major written A♭ major
Finger C and add the C♯/G♯ key with the left pinky.
Open G: nothing pressed, but keep your fingers close to the holes.
Press the side of the first finger against the G♯ key.
Concert B major written D♭ major
Finger C and add the C♯/G♯ key with the left pinky.
Thumb comes off the hole; only the first finger stays down.
Press the side of the first finger against the G♯ key.
Press the A key and the register key together; keep the right ring finger up so the correct vent opens.
Same as low F plus the register key. Voice it low, as if you were still playing low F.
Same as low F♯ plus the register key.
Concert E major written F♯ major
Thumb comes off the hole; only the first finger stays down.
Press the side of the first finger against the G♯ key.
Press the A key and the register key together; keep the right ring finger up so the correct vent opens.
Crossing the break: same as low E plus the register key. Seal every hole and keep the throat open; don't pinch.
Same as low F♯ plus the register key.
Concert A major written B major
Finger C and add the C♯/G♯ key with the left pinky.
Thumb comes off the hole; only the first finger stays down.
Press the side of the first finger against the G♯ key.
Press the A key and the register key together; keep the right ring finger up so the correct vent opens.
Crossing the break: same as low E plus the register key. Seal every hole and keep the throat open; don't pinch.
Concert D major written E major
Thumb comes off the hole; only the first finger stays down.
Press the side of the first finger against the G♯ key.
Roll the first finger up to the A key instead of lifting it.
Crossing the break: same as low E plus the register key. Seal every hole and keep the throat open; don't pinch.
Same as low F♯ plus the register key.
Concert G major written A major
Finger C and add the C♯/G♯ key with the left pinky.
Thumb comes off the hole; only the first finger stays down.
Press the side of the first finger against the G♯ key.
Roll the first finger up to the A key instead of lifting it.
About these scales
Band directors usually call scales by their concert name, so the whole band plays the same pitches. On bass clarinet the note you read is different from the concert pitch, so each scale shows both.
For the full range and alternate fingerings, see the bass clarinet fingering chart.