Saxophone beginners Tenor altissimo advice

[atwl77]

On alto, I can easily play altissimo G without issues. For G# and A, I might still need a few tries, but can still get it to sound eventually.

But on tenor, I can't even get the G to sound. I hear that A is often easier than G, but I can't get A either (though I am doubting the claim, since G was easier for me on the alto).

I can't even slur up from F# to G.

My front F mechanism is adjusted to close a little more than the "default" middle setting. It used to be closed even more, but I opened it slightly (but still less than the middle default) because I found that it affects the tone of the E/F/F#. I'm only mentioning this because I hear the front F mechanism can help with altissimo notes... though I feel as if my settings (whether very closed or slightly closed) didn't affect it much.

My main "foundation" practice routine for altissimo has been overtone practice with the low B♭ fingering. I have been able to get the 1st, 2nd and 3rd overtones, but so far I haven't been able to get the 4th overtone yet. I wonder if this is what's holding me back? Should I just keep at it until I can somehow get the 4th overtone... or am I missing some other crucial practice method that helps with altissimo?

 

[Nick Wyver]

Do you have a top F# key?
What fingerings have you tried for G and A?

 

[Pete Effamy]

Second what Nick asks about fingerings, especially G. Alto altissimo fingerings and tenor aren’t the same for all notes, and G is the most commonly different for most people I think.

A really is, for most, a far easier note to get. In fact, the higher ones - C C# and D should be the easiest as they are at the top of the overblown series of notes, whereas G can be overshot - so it’s a bit like threading a needle.

Front fingerings for palm notes are a must, otherwise they will be really awkward into altissimo. It shouldn’t be difficult to slur front F to F# - just add the Bb side key (maybe RH index too if flat). From here, remove your LH 2nd finger. It shouldn’t be too far away. Maybe add a little jaw forward as you go - not upwards (bite) but forwards / outwards.

A is commonly LH 2 and 3, and maybe side C if flat. Octave key too of course.

 

[atwl77]

Do you have a top F# key?

Yes.

What fingerings have you tried for G and A?

The main reference that I've been using is the Better Sax reference chart:

https://bettersax.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Altissimo-chart.001-1024x576.jpeg

 

[Pete Effamy]

For most people, both on alto and tenor, the G# is is way harder than the G and A.

 

[Nick Wyver]

For G try fingering B and add top F# and side Bb.

 

[LAP13]

Get Your Sax Together - Altissimo Playlist

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDPTTpWrPumQ&si=FyKRydiYVFLWsTzH

 

[Grumps]

I would try this:

Blow an altissimo high F# without using the F# key. Instead use Octave, Front F, RH 1 (F) and side Bb. Raise the back of your tongue towards the roof of your mouth to squeeze the airflow to get F#. Then lift RH 1 to get G.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Yes.


The main reference that I've been using is the Better Sax reference chart:

https://bettersax.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Altissimo-chart.001-1024x576.jpeg

May I politely suggest you have a look at our very own charts:

Saxophone Altissimo - how to do it, plus Fingering Charts to download

How to play very high notes on the saxophone. Altissimo is increasingly becoming a standard part of any saxophone players technique.

tamingthesaxophone.com

 

[turf3]

It's not the fingerings, it's the voicing. See Rascher, "Top Tones for the Saxophone". Don't do like I did and skip directly to the fingering charts; do what he says to do.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Mouthpiece position is critical. A horn needs to be in tune with itself to hit the overtone frequencies.

 

[atwl77]

For most people, both on alto and tenor, the G# is is way harder than the G and A.

I think what made it easier for me on the alto was that the fingering let me easily slur from F# to G. So I just kept doing it and letting my throat get used to how it works, then one day I could eventually do it without needing to start at F#. Whereas with A, there wasn't any easy way to ease into by slurring.

 

[atwl77]

May I politely suggest you have a look at our very own charts:

Saxophone Altissimo - how to do it, plus Fingering Charts to download

How to play very high notes on the saxophone. Altissimo is increasingly becoming a standard part of any saxophone players technique.

tamingthesaxophone.com

I remember the last time I tried to download the chart, I think it was 1-2 years ago before I joined the forum, it wouldn't let me download. I was downloading other charts from other sites, so I didn't think much of it and skipped it.

I just checked again, it looks like there's a popup asking for a donation.

 

[Woodpad]

My main "foundation" practice routine for altissimo has been overtone practice with the low B♭ fingering. I have been able to get the 1st, 2nd and 3rd overtones, but so far I haven't been able to get the 4th overtone yet. I wonder if this is what's holding me back? Should I just keep at it until I can somehow get the 4th overtone... or am I missing some other crucial practice method that helps with altissimo?

Overtone reach for low Bb is equal for tenor and alto?

 

[Pete Thomas]

I just checked again, it looks like there's a popup asking for a donation.

It’s optional

“We hope you enjoy this free download and will consider a small donation”

And I will add it to the Cafe supporters’ (of which you are one and we are very grateful) downloads

 

[atwl77]

Overtone reach for low Bb is equal for tenor and alto?

Sorry, I don't understand the question.

 

[wakyct]

I think he means can you hit all the same overtones on alto and tenor.

That 4th overtone has been a real bear for me as well. Literally I've been at it for over a year.

 

[Greg Strange]

Well over 40 years ago I purchased a book called "Improvising Rock Sax" by Pete Yellin which set me on the path of playing altissimo on the sax - covers fingerings for alto and tenor saxes. "Hot Rock Sax" by the late Tim Price covers altissimo for tenor and alto, and soprano (!?) and baritone (??!!) saxes. Apparently Lenny Pickett has a 7 octave range on tenor sax...

or buy a soprano sax - make life a bit easier...

Greg S.

 

[skeller047]

I think he means can you hit all the same overtones on alto and tenor.

That 4th overtone has been a real bear for me as well. Literally I've been at it for over a year.

By 4th overtone do you mean the major 3rd + 2 octaves up? If so, can you hit it by first playing the note in natural fingering and then playing the overtone? For example, play palm D then finger low Bb and play the same note. It is about voicing, and this can help.

 

[wakyct]

By 4th overtone do you mean the major 3rd + 2 octaves up

Yes, and no I can't slur to it from palm D though I keep trying.

I can pop it out with some tricks like holding low Bb and bumping palm D.

I can play the same note as the second overtone of low G but I imagine the voicing there isn't the same.