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Re: Sight Reading altissimo

Author: TomS
Date: 2021-02-11 07:01

Playing thru the microscopically printed solo clarinet part in old-traditional marches are a challenge ... but I don't think I've seen anything above a B-flat above high C. I happily hung out in the 2nd and 3rds for a while, but when moved to solo/1st, my reading above the staff was rusty and was a source of embarrassment and frustration. And going for more in-tune fingerings (E-flat and F-sharp, for example) led to more complexity and awkwardness ...

Finesse and delicacy is the approach. High notes will carry, penetrate and contrast, so you don't need a lot of acoustical power. When playing first section in the band, we usually vote for just one player taking the top octave above the staff ...

Think you have problems? Try playing the E-flat clarinet in band literature.

Re-arrangements of the old power marches have watered down the demands in the stratosphere ...

You got to have balanced reeds, a good MP, and fight the tendency to stress out, bite and choke the air flow when playing high notes. Dial in the sweet and easy spot on your gear, embouchure and air supply and relax and enjoy.

Tom

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