 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ned
Date: 2006-05-25 07:47
I have seen some posts recently regarding this topic, where some have suggested a range of between 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 octaves.
Just for the record, I gave it a test and on my old Hawkes & Son simple system, I can get from (piano reference, please note) the low D, 2 octaves below middle C to high F#, 3 octaves and 1/3 above middle C.
So, more that 3 1/2 but less than 4 1/2.
I would not venture to say that I was fluent across the range, but I can at least blow the notes cleanly. Overblowing helped a great deal in the exercise.
p.s. the range of the saxophone too, can be extended greatly by overblowing, check out some of the good bop players. Oddly enough I can't overblow the alto sax at all, for some unknown reason.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-05-25 10:51
The basic range of the clarinet is from low E to altissimo C which is 3.6 octaves, though a basset clarinet/horn and bass clarinet to low C has four complete octaves (low C to altissimo C).
On alto sax (and others), I've found that holding LH3 down with the octave key (8ve oox|ooo) will give altissimo Bb, and opening up the palm keys (as well as the RH high E and F# keys) in turn will extend the altissimo range up to altissimo Eb when all the palm keys and high F# key are opened). Provided you have a high F# key.
So, altissimo G is (all with the octave key open) - xox|Side Bb xoo (or on tenors and bari - xoo|High F#ooo)
Alt. G#/Ab - xox|Side C xoo,
A - oxx|xxx
Bb - oox|ooo
B - High D oox|ooo
C - High D & Eb oox|ooo
C# - High D & Eb oox| High E ooo
D - High D, Eb & F oox| High E ooo
D#/Eb - High D, Eb & F oox| High E & F# ooo.
Then with a different embouchure you can repeat the same fingerings and extend the range up even further following the same sequence. It works much better on tenor and bari though.
I forgot to mention why I keep LH 3 and the 8ve key on - this keeps only the lower octave vent open for the altissimo register.
I got this idea from oboe altissimo fingerings as only the lower octave key is open from altissimo E upwards, so if it works on oboes, then why not try it on saxes (which work pretty much the same way)? And it did!
Shame on saxes (with automatic octaves) you can't use harmonic fingerings (that make it overblow 12ths) for quiet passages as on oboes by opening the top octave only and playing D gives a good subdued A, Eb gives a good quiet Bb and E gives a B. But this can't be done on automatic oboes (as they have mainly in Germany and East Europe).
Try playing D (xxx|xxx but it'll sound the same as A - 8vexxo|ooo), Eb and E with the crook key wedged open for the 12ths.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2006-05-26 19:39)
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Author: ned
Date: 2006-05-26 05:02
OK thanks Chris for the alto sax chart. I'll give it a go, although I'll have to transpose from saxophone notes to concert - a good little mental exercise for me then.
ned
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Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2006-05-26 06:26
we discovered that the entire clarinet family has a very large range in that last thread. It's a shame no one clarinet can cover that whole range... that would be incredible.
Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-05-26 09:57
I am reminded of Rowland-Jones's book "Recorder Technique", which discusses fingerings for very high notes. The normal range of the recorder is only a little over two octaves, but higher notes are possible, and he writes:
"But let us be satisfied with just one note in the fourth octave, a horrible G that can be made to shriek aloud in a tempest on the fingering..."
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2006-05-26 13:04
Hi,
There are two key sources to extending the ranage of the saxophone and both are quite different.
The "Top Tones" approach by Sigurd M. Rascher uses the overtone/harmonic series which are overblown. There are exercises that begin on low Bb. I had a master class with Rascher at Interlochen more than 50 years ago and I still remember the demo device he used, a saxophone with no keys that blew the fundamental low Bb. His method book is from Carl Fischer. An interesting note though is that on page 19, he talks about "fingerings" and why he uses the overtones instead.
The other terrific method book is by Ted Nash "Studies in High Harmonics." This is the book I use and there are some neat exercises. Interestingly, many fingerings that work for alto have better alternates on tenor and vice-versa. The method book is still available from Hal Leonard.
Any serious sax player needs to have both in his or her library.
HRL
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-05-26 13:43
Hank's book recommendations are excellent, and indeed should be in each person's library.
A third sax fingering book which I like is "Beginning Studies in the Altissimo Register" by Rosemay Lang (Lang Music Publications).
Exercises are provided as well as the comparative different fingerings for alto and tenor sax...GBK
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Author: Merlin
Date: 2006-05-26 16:03
No one ever seems to mention the clarinet altissimo book by Norman Heim. It's published by Kendor. That book got my high note skills in shape.
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