Oboe · treble clef
Oboe Scales
All 12 major scales for oboe, one octave each, with the fingering for every note. Tap a note to see it larger, or play the whole scale.
C major
Cover every hole fully; small leaks make low notes crack.
Regular F: the right ring finger presses the F key instead of covering its hole. Next to notes that use the right ring finger (low D, E♭, C, C♯), use forked F, or left F if your oboe has that key.
F major
Regular F: the right ring finger presses the F key instead of covering its hole. Next to notes that use the right ring finger (low D, E♭, C, C♯), use forked F, or left F if your oboe has that key.
Half-hole, no octave key; same fingers as low D.
Close the half-hole and press the thumb octave key.
Same F choices as low F, plus the thumb octave key.
B♭ major
Half-hole, no octave key; same fingers as low D.
Half-hole, no octave key.
Same F choices as low F, plus the thumb octave key.
Switch from the thumb octave key to the side octave key, pressed with the side of the left index finger.
E♭ major
Use the left E♭ key when the right pinky is busy on low C or C♯.
Regular F: the right ring finger presses the F key instead of covering its hole. Next to notes that use the right ring finger (low D, E♭, C, C♯), use forked F, or left F if your oboe has that key.
Half-hole, no octave key; same fingers as low D.
Half-hole, no octave key.
A♭ major
Slide or roll the left index finger to open the half-hole; no octave key.
Half-hole, no octave key.
Same F choices as low F, plus the thumb octave key.
D♭ major
Use the left E♭ key when the right pinky is busy on low C or C♯.
Regular F: the right ring finger presses the F key instead of covering its hole. Next to notes that use the right ring finger (low D, E♭, C, C♯), use forked F, or left F if your oboe has that key.
Slide or roll the left index finger to open the half-hole; no octave key.
G♭ major
Slide or roll the left index finger to open the half-hole; no octave key.
Half-hole, no octave key.
Same F choices as low F, plus the thumb octave key.
B major
Hold down the low C key with the right pinky as well as the low B key.
Use the left E♭ key when the right pinky is busy on low C or C♯.
E major
Slide or roll the left index finger to open the half-hole; no octave key.
Half-hole, no octave key.
Close the half-hole and press the thumb octave key.
A major
Slide or roll the left index finger to open the half-hole; no octave key.
Half-hole, no octave key; same fingers as low D.
Close the half-hole and press the thumb octave key.
Switch from the thumb octave key to the side octave key, pressed with the side of the left index finger.
D major
Cover every hole fully; small leaks make low notes crack.
Slide or roll the left index finger to open the half-hole; no octave key.
Half-hole, no octave key; same fingers as low D.
G major
Half-hole, no octave key; same fingers as low D.
Close the half-hole and press the thumb octave key.
About these scales
Each scale is shown in the octave that sits most comfortably on the instrument.
For the full range and alternate fingerings, see the oboe fingering chart.