Saxophone Altissimo https://tamingthesaxophone.

com/saxophone-altissimo

Home > Saxophone Lessons > Tone > Altissimo

In this Sub-Section:

How to Improve your Tone Tonguing Altissimo Control

Saxophone Tone & Sound Saxophone Vibrato Subtone Diaphragm Breathing
Intonation & Tuning Mouthpiece Exercises Visualising the Sound Saxophone Circular Breathing
Saxophone Tone Exercises Saxophone Harmonics Saxophone Embouchure
Saxophone Articulation & (Overtones) Breathing Exercises & Breath

Altissimo

5 (100%) 1 vote

The altissimo range of the saxophone consists of many notes higher than the standard range that is
taught in elementary and intermediate stages of learning (up to F or F# with instruments that have
Vm
that key).
Harlem 00:00 R
Nocturne
P The ngerings for these notes can be quite complex. They dier from instrument to instrument, the
ngering chart here show ngerings which I have found to be most useful on many dierent
Vm saxophones, but you can experiment by adding or taking away ngers to suit yours.
Big & 00:00 R
Bad
P

Vm
Showgirl 00:00 R
s
P

Vm
Mango 00:05 R
Banana
p

Click to Download Altissimo Charts PDF Files

Before you start learning extra-high notes

1 of 5 02/13/2017 12:14 PM
Saxophone Altissimo https://tamingthesaxophone.com/saxophone-altissimo

About Saxophones Beginners Sax Tuition Impro & Composing Shop

aux F ngering for F and E.
Even if you can play these higher notes of the normal register with condence, make sure you have developed your low notes. There is no point in
learning altissmo if you are still unable to play low notes quietly.
Practiceharmonics (overtones). learning to play and control overtones is a great way to lay the foundations of a good upper range.

You will often need to change your embouchure to get the high notes. Although some teachers would
say it is bad technique to adjust your embouchure in order to voice certain notes, the altissimo range
can be an exception, and often just a little more pressure is necessary, but without undue biting.

Do you need harder reeds or a wider tip mouthpiece for altissimo?

A good question, to which the answer might be yes and no. Harder reeds or wider tip opening on
your mouthpiece may help get the notes, but very often at the expense of low notes. It stands to
reason that you would not want to develop a good top end if its at the expense of low notes. In the
short-term if using a harder reed means you can get the high notes, it can actually be a good thing
because you will get to hear the notes in your head, ie how they should sound before you play
them. This is often referred to as voicing. So it can be useful to use a slightly harder reed while Taming The Saxophone Vol I
Tone Without Tears. All the
learning to voice the altissimo notes,then revert to a softer reed once you feel condent about
tone exercises on the site and
voicing the notes, and use your diaphragm and breath support to be able to articulate and sustain lots more
the notes. This way you will not sacrice your low notes.
14.95 Add to cart

ALTO TENOR

F In order to use the altissimo range above this it is important to get familiar with the front F (AKA auxilliary F)
key as shown here. Played with the index finger.

F# Of course, if your saxophone has an F# key, use it

G This is one of the harder altissimo notes, even though its not very high.

G# Another difficult note, try this once you are comfortable with some easier ones such as A

+ Subscribe To Our Newsletter

2 of 5 02/13/2017 12:14 PM
Saxophone Altissimo https://tamingthesaxophone.com/saxophone-altissimo

About Saxophones Beginners Sax Tuition Impro & Composing Shop

Bb This is the Bb fingering I use, it may not be the easiest to blow, but its easy to move to this from the A

B Likewise, this allows you to move easily from the Bb

C This fingering will also get the high F above

C# This is really just an overblown F#

D Although it is very high, this should be quite an easy note to blow. Once you get it, try alternating with a
bottom Bb

Extract from Sam Donahue book: High Note Book For Saxophone:

+ Subscribe To Our Newsletter

3 of 5 02/13/2017 12:14 PM
Saxophone Altissimo https://tamingthesaxophone.com/saxophone-altissimo

About Saxophones Beginners Sax Tuition Impro & Composing Shop

Sam Donahue: High Notes for Saxophone

Sponsored Links:

No comments yet.

Feedback on this article - NB: Not for questions, ask those via the CafeSaxophone forum

Name (required)

Email (will not be published) (required)

Website

Submit Comment

+ Subscribe To Our Newsletter

4 of 5 02/13/2017 12:14 PM
Saxophone Altissimo https://tamingthesaxophone.com/saxophone-altissimo

About Saxophones Beginners Sax Tuition Impro & Composing Shop

Site Info

Search Page
Privacy
Contact

Info:

Cafe Saxophone Ltd T/A TamingTheSaxophone

Share

Follow

2003-2017 Cafe Saxophone Ltd

+ Subscribe To Our Newsletter

5 of 5 02/13/2017 12:14 PM