Bassoon whisper key and flick keys: when to use them

Which notes need the whisper key, when to lock it, and how flicking helps notes at the top of the staff start in the right octave.

Two kinds of thumb keys help bassoon notes start in the right octave: the whisper key, which you hold for many low and middle notes, and the flick keys, which you tap for the notes just above them. This guide follows a common way of teaching them on a standard bassoon. Teachers and fingering charts differ for some notes.

Jump to which key goes with which note

What the whisper key does

The bocal has a tiny hole near its wide end. The whisper key, under your left thumb, presses a pad against that hole. Closed, the hole helps low and middle notes stay in the right octave. Open, it helps the notes from A on the top line up to D above the staff start in the right octave. That's why you hold it for some notes and let go for others.

Line up the bocal so its hole sits right under the whisper key pad when you put the bassoon together.
Press it fully. A thumb resting lightly on the key can leak, and low notes may gurgle or crack up.
Your thumb or a linkage. Your left thumb presses the whisper key directly. On many bassoons, the low E key under your right thumb also closes the whisper pad through a linkage, even while your left thumb is on other keys.

Which notes use it

From the bottom of the bassoon up:

Tap a note to hear it

L: your right thumb holds the low E key, and on many bassoons its linkage closes the whisper pad. From low B♭ up to C♯, your left thumb is on the low keys. L/W: on low D, E♭, and E the linkage still closes the pad, and the fingering diagrams also show your left thumb on W. That thumb press is optional; keep it down if it makes the passage easier. Tap a note to hear it.

Tap a note to hear it

Low F up to A♭ on the top line (W): hold the whisper key with your left thumb. The sharps and flats between these notes use it too. Tap a note to hear it.

From A on the top line up to D above the staff, let the whisper key go and use a flick key instead (see below). Higher up, G and A♭ above the staff use the whisper key again.

Locking the whisper key

Many bassoons have a whisper key lock: a small lever that holds the whisper key closed for you. Turn it on for passages that move between the low keys (low D, C, B, and B♭) and notes that need the whisper key, so your left thumb can move freely. Turn it off before you go up to A, or the upper notes may sound stuffy or crack.

No lock? Beginners rarely need one. Move the thumb between the whisper key and the low keys, keeping W pressed whenever the note needs it.
Not sure which lever it is? Ask your teacher to show you on your bassoon. Its position varies by maker.

What flick keys do

When you slur up to A on the top line and the notes just above it, the note can crack: it starts an octave low, then jumps up. Flicking helps. As your fingers change, your left thumb taps one of the three flick keys (A, C, or D) and lets go right away. The quick vent helps the note start in the right octave.

The flick range in this guide is A on the top line up to D above the staff. In the fingering diagrams, a flick key is drawn hatched, and the legend under the diagrams says so.

Tap to hear D slurred up to A

Computer-generated examples

D in the middle of the staff, slurred up to A on the top line.

Same notes, same air. A flick is a tap at the start of the note. Holding the key for the whole note is venting, a different method some teachers use.

Tap a note to hear it

A on the top line up to D above the staff, the flick notes. Amber: A key. Blue: C key. Pink: D key. Tap a note to hear it.

Tap a note or fingering to hear it

Aflick A

Cflick C

Dflick D

Hatched key: flick. Tap it as the note starts and let go. Some teachers have you hold it for the whole note instead (venting). Solid keys stay down.

When you flick, the hatched key is down only for an instant as the note starts.

Which notes to flick

Note	Flick key
A (top line)	A key
B♭, B, and C (above the staff)	C key
D (above the staff)	D key

Some teachers flick the A key for B♭. Teachers and fingering charts may use different flicking or venting methods. Follow the method your teacher gives you.

Flick when you slur up to these notes, especially from far below. Some teachers have you flick tongued notes too.
Slurring down to them? Usually no flick needed.

Try it: which key?

Tap the note to hear it

Flicking vs. venting

A flick is a tap at the start of a note. Venting means holding the same key down for the whole note. In the flick range, A on the top line up to D above the staff, some teachers teach held venting instead of flicking. Both work; use the method you're taught. An octave higher, from A above the staff up to high D, the A, C, or D key is part of the fingering itself, so you hold it for the whole note whichever method you use lower down.

Method	How long the key is down	Which notes, and why
Flick	An instant, as the note starts	A on the top line up to D above the staff. Helps a slur start in the right octave.
Held venting	The whole note	The same notes, A on the top line up to D, if your teacher teaches it instead of flicking. It does the same job.
Part of a high fingering	The whole note, every time	An octave higher, A above the staff up to high D: the A key for A and B♭, the C key for B, C, and C♯, the D key for D. Keeps these notes stable and in tune.

In the fingering diagrams, a flick key in the flick range is drawn hatched. A key that's part of a high fingering is drawn solid, like any other key you hold.

Common mistakes

Holding the flick key when you mean to flick. If you were taught to tap and let go, a key left down can make the note thin or sharp. (Held venting is a different method, taught on purpose.)
Flicking too late. The note may already have cracked. Move the thumb at the same instant as the fingers.
Leaving the whisper key down for A. A may sound stuffy or not start. The thumb leaves W as it flicks.
Forgetting the whisper key coming back down. Slurring from A down to G, put the thumb back on W, or G may crack.
Leaving the lock on. Upper notes may sound stuffy. Turn it off before you go above A♭.

Practice these fingerings

Tap a note to hear it

Slur each pair slowly, flicking on the upper note. Then play each pair without the flick and listen for the difference.

Then quiz yourself in Woodwind Trainer, set to bassoon and the full range. Check the upper notes with the tuner: a key held when you meant to flick can show up as sharp. For the full chart, see the bassoon fingering chart.

Practice thisWoodwind Trainer: keys and tone holes

Practice bassoon fingerings

From Band Trainer · bandtrainer.net/guides/bassoon-whisper-and-flick-keys