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 Upper Altissimo for Alto SAx
Author: xcop 
Date:   2002-06-19 21:41

Hi. I find that I am unable to play high note above high F# (My sax has that key). I tried the fingerings shown on the fingering guide, but nothing in the range I want comes out. Any iades on what I could do to play these notes, such as high G?

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 RE: Upper Altissimo for Alto SAx
Author: Bill 
Date:   2002-06-20 17:11

As mainly a clarinet player, I also find the altissimo on the sax to be difficult. Two things can help you with them. Number one, talk to your lessons teacher and have him/her help you. There is nothing as useful as someone who can show you what they do. Keep in mind, however, that the altissimo register needs a slightly different shape inside your mouth than the other registers, and, due to the differences in everyone's mouth, that's something that has to be found individually. The second thing to do is to start working with harmonics. Start with your low B-flat (below the staff), and, with the same fingering, change your mouth so that you get the B-flat above (middle of the staff). When you start playing with these harmonics, you should be able to hit the first one or two above the low B-flat, but with practice you can add more until you can hit the 4th or 5th harmonic. Practice these on several of the low notes, and to the point where they come in clearly immediately and remain clear and unwavering. What do these harmonics have to do with altissimo? The altissimo register on the saxophone is simply harmonics, and, after learning some of the harmonics off of the lower part of your instrument where they are easier to hit, you can then use that knowledge to learn the higher harmonics in the altissimo register.

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 RE: Upper Altissimo for Alto SAx
Author: Mike 
Date:   2002-11-14 21:56

So you say you're having trouble with the altissimo regis-ter on alto sax, huh? Well, I know some awesome fingerings that can help.

High G: front F, side Bb, and right hand F
High G#: front F and side Bb
High A: left hand A and G and right hand F, E, and D
High Bb: same as above, add D palm key
High B: same as above, lift right hand E, and add Eb palm key
High C: overblow left hand B and G and right hand F and D
High C#: D and Eb palm keys and high E side key
High D: same as above, add F palm key
High Eb: front F, Eb palm key, and side C
High E: left hand A and right hand E
Higher F: same as High C, add right hand Eb
Higher F#: same as above, add D and Eb palm keys
Higher G: same as High E, add right hand F and Eb
Higher G#: same as above, lift right hand F

I hope these fingerings help you. Also, remember that if these don't work for you, you can do a web search on "altissimo fingerings", "alto altissimo finger-ings", "altissimo sax fingerings", etc. If you've tried all the ones you found and all the fingerings listed above, you might want to consider getting a new mouthpiece that is made for altissimo notes, such as a Runyon Quantum, X.L., or Bionix. Peace.

http://www.runyonproducts.com/

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 RE: Upper Altissimo for Alto SAx
Author: matt 
Date:   2003-01-07 18:59

I also have a high f# key and to play g, I play High f# and just add the b key and the bflat hymn key right underneath. That seems to work. It's just a little flat but I can change that with my lips.

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 RE: Upper Altissimo for Alto SAx
Author: cody 
Date:   2003-06-19 01:46

i wanted to know how to play a high g above the staff

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