Beginner High F sharp

[shaunc]

Came across a piece of music requiring the High F sharp and I can't for the life of me remember how to get it. I looked up some fingering charts but got a bit confused and they didn't seem to work.

I have a Hanson SA-8 Alto. I think it should have a high f sharp key somewhere. I was trying to press the key above the "B" key but I couldn't get anything out of it, whereas I can play the normal high F, so I'm not sure it was right.

I'm sure someone out there can tell me what I'm doing wrong.

 

[Mamos]

I could be wrong but i have just had a blow and I used Octave+High F (key just above the B key)+bis(key just below the B key)

mamos

 

[Mamos]

Having another little play I have discovered a little boomerang shaped key nestled below the right side keys. That appears to open the upper most pad which is F# I think

Again, I am learning all this stuff myself so i could be wrong

mamos

 

[Chris98]

There are two different fingerings for High F#:

and:

Hopefully I put the rings around the right keys.

My alto looked too grubby to photograph when I pulled it out of it's case, so gave it the once over, I might have to play it now

And welcome to the forum, hope you're enjoying your Hanson.

Best wishes,

Chris

 

[Pete Thomas]

Great pics as usual Chris. But not quite right.

The top one is spot on., This uses the palm keys D, Eb, side E and palm F as shown (which is standard F fingering) , plus the F#key which is the long metal one in the top right pic, often boomerang shaped these days.

Older horns don't have this, so we use the "fake fingering" which you have almost right in the lower picture. But you have missed out the C key which needs to be down as well as the top (aux) F Key and the side Bb.

 

[Chris98]

Great pics as usual Chris. But not quite right.

Older horns don't have this, so we use the "fake fingering" which you have almost right in the lower picture. But you have missed out the C key which needs to be down as well as the top (aux) F Key and the side Bb.

Hopefully this is now right:

 

[Pete Thomas]

Yes, but should include the B (LH1) or bis key (the little one)

 

[Chris98]

Yes, but should include the B (LH1) or bis key (the little one)

Good thing you're here Pete. I hope I've got it this time, I can play the note just seem to be having difficulty putting rings around the right keys.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Nearly there!

You still have the B key ringed. That key will go down along with the aux F, so no need to finger it as well.

 

[kevgermany]

I'm confused... Is it side Bb + top F + C ? What about the octave key?
And what is the false fingering solution for those who don't have a front F (like my old Kohlert) ?

 

[Pete Thomas]

Yes, the octave key also.

With no aux F, the trick is to finger A (LH 1 and 2 as normal) and use LH 3 on the top F key, + the side Bb.

 

[Clivey]

LOL While we are at it Pete. What about more Altissimo fingering suggestions for your 10m. Ive never been successful above F# apart from False squeeks /overblows.

 

[Chris98]

Nearly there!

You still have the B key ringed. That key will go down along with the aux F, so no need to finger it as well.

But in my defense you did say:

Yes, but should include the B (LH1) or bis key (the little one)

I guess you meant 'Should not'

Okay last time, I'm beginning to go gray! I thought this was going to be simple ;}

 

[phooesnax]

-front F key above you B on left hand
-finger an A
-add the alternate A sharp

Use octave key of course.

 

[thomsax]

I can play F# on a sax without hig F# key:
- as above
- front F + C + F + side B
- front F + F
Octave key on all.

I think older saxes, like Conn 10m, King Super 20, Martin Committees .. , is more complex, and richer in overtones than new saxes. It can be good but harder to master. I think it's good. How the altissimo tones comes out depends on the player. mouthpiece, reed and sax.

Thomas

 

[Pete Thomas]

But in my defense you did say:

Yes, but should include the B (LH1) or bis key (the little one)

I guess you meant 'Should not'

Sorry about that. Still jet lagged I expect.

 

[kevgermany]

... Still jet lagged I expect.

From Frankfurt????????

Bier lagged, more like 🙂))

 

[saxnik]

If I'm using altissimo fingerings I use:
Octave key, Lh1, Lh3, Rh1 (so like top-line F natural but without left-hand middle finger) - but you need to set your chops up for altissimo. For G, swap Rh1 for Rh3.

Check out Top Tones for Saxophone (Sigurd Rascher) - but make sure you do the exercises!

Nick

 

[shaunc]

Thanks for all the answers and thanks to Chris for the excellent photos. I've just tried to play the F# using the top photos and got it. Had to work my way up through F though!!

I thought the alternative on the bottom (the one with all the corrections) was more complicated but looking at it again it doesn't look so bad so I might give that a try.

Chris, the Hanson seems to be going okay. It certainly seems more solid than my first one although I'm no expert and I can't really compare it with anything else.

 

[Chris98]

Thanks for all the answers and thanks to Chris for the excellent photos. I've just tried to play the F# using the top photos and got it. Had to work my way up through F though!!

I thought the alternative on the bottom (the one with all the corrections) was more complicated but looking at it again it doesn't look so bad so I might give that a try.

Chris, the Hanson seems to be going okay. It certainly seems more solid than my first one although I'm no expert and I can't really compare it with anything else.

Hi Shaun, (or should it be shaunc?)

Well, we got there in the end! It's good that we've got Pete as well as many other very knowledgeable players to keep people like me from miss-directing others .

I find I tend to use the second fingering if it's a quick passing note, not sure I'd depend on it where tone and intonation are needed, but then again I try and stay under top E most of the time, oddly enough my teacher doesn't share my thoughts on that.

Best wishes,

Chris