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RE: altissimo register playing

Author: Kevin Bowman
Date: 1999-09-29 18:48

Any reed that works reasonably well for you in the clarion range should do OK in the altissimo. Be careful not to bite or pinch these higher notes. Practice long tones that slur from the lower notes to the harmonics, such as:
C-G(clarion)-E(altissimo)-A(altissimo). Try to make each transition with breath support and voicing only - make no change in the embouchure. As you go from the low note to each higher note, convince yourself that you are still playing the lower note (so your embouchure will not move). A real easy interval to play that emphasizes the "no embouchure movement" concept is low F to altissimo F with the long fingering. Play low F then "exchange" the RH F/C key for the LH C#/G# key (and the register key). I can usually get my students to do this interval shortly after the embouchure is set and they are venturing into the clarion register (at about 12-15 weeks).

Also - I know you want to stick with the same reeds, but you might want to look into a reed with a thicker stock, such as the V12 or the Grand Concert Thick Blank.

Kevin Bowman

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