Playing the saxophone I finally found a use for my high F# key!!!!

[Martysax]

I've been playing the saxophone since the Nixon administration but only have owned a saxophone equipped with a high F# key for about 15 years. During that time, I had never considered using it until a few minutes ago.

I play alto and tenor in a Bob Seger tribute. In the song "Mainstreet," I play the soprano sax part on my alto which starts on its high F# to E to D# (which is actually a familiar sax motive in many Seger songs) and have been playing using the Fork-F fingering for the F# and E forever. Today I tried using all palm keys and the high F# key and it was so much easier to keep fluid.

So, here I am. Will I be the old dog and continue to play the way I've been playing forever, or should I go this route and learn to use it better?

I guess the whisky will help decide.

 

[Nick Wyver]

There’s a reason why it’s there. It’s very handy for G too. I’ve been playing saxes with high F# for over 40 years and I’ve got the hang of it.

 

[PigSquealer]

I guess the whisky will help decide.

Makers Mark, Glenfiddich, Kirkland Irish Whiskey, Rebel Yell or Jack Daniels No7 ?
Neat ?
Standing or sitting ?

 

[mizmar]

all palm keys and the high F# key

Blimey, I feel like an idiot.
I moved from a Tenor without to one with the F#. But I didn't know what it was - someone said, F#, I tried it with front E/F, and didn't really see the advantage... I never thought to use it with the palm keys 🫣

 

[Colin the Bear]

Palm or front. It works with both.

 

[SuperAction80]

Blimey, I feel like an idiot.
I moved from a Tenor without to one with the F#. But I didn't know what it was - someone said, F#, I tried it with front E/F, and didn't really see the advantage... I never thought to use it with the palm keys 🫣

It also comes in handy to stabilize the tenor G3. Funny enough, though, I've never missed it on alto. Come to think of it, I've never owned an alto with a high F#. The low altissimo range of the alto is just stable enough where I've never given it a second thought. Tenor is a bit trickier in the same range, and I like having the extra options when I need it.

 

[thomsax]

None of the tenors I play have the high F# key. To fingering F#3 is more or less diffent on all my tenors. I'm not a frequent altissimo player. I just know how to play a few altissimo tones. 100 % Rock & Roll Saxophone, so I just play in the rock & roll keys! I like Jr Walker way to deal with altissimo tones. Hit the tone without altissimo fingerings. Less technique, more bravery?

Some nice Jr Walker altissimo!

View: https://youtu.be/5-FHTEqFkrI?si=8C9UE8FfgKotPE5P

 

[Pete Effamy]

I never use the high F# key. There is a very good use for it though - an easy, clear note at pp. If you were playing in a pit orch or something similar and you needed to whisper the note, and be sure that it would speak - that's the fingering.

 

[Greg Strange]

I have found on tenor sax if you play 3rd octave B and open up the high F# key you get a nice and in tune altissimo G...

Greg S.

 

[Nick Wyver]

I have found on tenor sax if you play 3rd octave B and open up the high F# key you get a nice and in tune altissimo G...

Greg S.

Indeed. It’s a pretty standard fingering. Works on baritone too.
I usually add side Bb, but I can’t remember why.

 

[skeller047]

I have two tenors, one with high F# and one without. I don't like using the key at all, and if I could find a simple yet elegant way to remove it from my Barone tenor I would.

 

[PigSquealer]

if I could find a simple yet elegant way to remove it from my Barone tenor I would.

Contact me for review. I have a new hammer and torch to try out 🤓