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Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Altissimo & Multiphonics / Altissimo vary between horns?

Ian O'B.
User ID: 8924643 May 30th 2:48 PM
This is for guys who play the altissimo fluently or at least on different horns. Do you notice that it changes from horn to horn? Model to model(like SBA to Mk VI for example), maker to maker? Same for most horns you play? How does it compare from new to vintage horns?

I've found that new horns, even student models(like my alto, a Vito)get it much easier. Lately I've been experimenting with licks "up there" and trying to go between high register and altissimo notes, back and forth. I play dark Mark VI tenor and it's a lot tougher; I can only get up to the A, and it takes lots of effort. On the alto I can get up to C with little effort, and I practice it about equally on both horns. I've heard Selmers are not good for altissimo but that learning it on a Selmer or any darker horn will make it easier on others.

So basically I'm asking, through experience, what have you learned about how altissimo varies between different horns?

Jax, FL
User ID: 8604013 May 30th 4:08 PM
I noticed from playing many different horns the altissimo varies dramatically. The same is the case with different reed/mouthpiece setups. Older horns that I have played can play in the altissimo area as well as any new horn I have played. In most cases where the altissimo is very difficult to play when you play it well on another may need to be checked for any leaks. Also when using different horns you may have to use different fingerings to keep them in tune and facilitate your efforts.

MojoBari
User ID: 1320554 Jun 3rd 10:47 AM
Different sax brands and sizes need different fingerings for the best intonation. A lot of guys just (try to) lip their favorite fingerings in tune. That can work most of the time.

My bari needs a bunch of different ones. The Luckey book helped out immensely here for me.

I can get away with Rascher fingerings on most other horns, especially on notes from D4 up. But I dont play up there much. For me, F#3 to A3 (or so) needs to be custom for each horn for the best intonation and response. This can drive you nuts.

David
User ID: 0004344 Jun 27th 9:37 PM
I have a question that would fit well under this topic. I am playing on a very crappy Bundy, but am getting a Serie II on Monday. Will my ability to play altissimo increase, or does it not matter which horn I use? Will I be able to hit higher notes, and make the notes that I can hit now a little more solid?

MS
User ID: 0130044 Jun 27th 9:45 PM
Different horns will have different blowing resistance. With the same mps as you change horns, sometimes a change in reeds will work better, not different brand - just a different reed of the same brand and size. You may just have to find the voicing spot for each instrument, mouthppiece. More or less resistant reed may make a slight difference.

MBushaw
User ID: 9050343 Jun 28th 10:36 AM
I've been playing a Selmer BA or Cigar Cutter alto with Barone Jazz or NY HR pieces for a few years now (returning geezer), and have not had much luck with altissimo. In my day we called 'em squeeks and tried hard not to do it, so I figured it was just me. Last month I got a Buffet S1 alto. It has several leaks that need new pads, but I've been playing it anyway. Altissimo pops out with no effort. None, Zero, no changes to emboucher, just finger the notes and they play. Haven't had too much luck with long tone/overtone series (too leaky), but I am just totally amazed at the difference.

bw
User ID: 8304653 Jul 19th 11:52 PM
I have had the same experience:
on alto (MK VI), altissimo just pops out, on my
MKVI Tenor, I always had major problems, then I bought a Buffet SDA Tenor recently, and although it is supposed to be a 'darker' horn, the high range is easy to blow....same MP and reed....so, is it the horn or subtle things in the setup like key opening distance?

MS
User ID: 0130044 Jul 21st 6:54 AM
I find that if I use different mps on the same horn, it takes a while to find the voicings for the whole hor and especially altissimo.

Same mouthpiece on different horns. I still have to alter voicing and find the spot where things work well.

Harmonics on the tenor is most natural and easy for me. When I switch horns I change voicings.

Isn't it interesting that some reeds do harmonics better than others. Same with mouthpieces and aparantly horns too. Try 3 mouthpieces (of the same brand and facing) and there will be a difference if and how the harmonics work.

Ian O'B. User ID: 8924643	May 30th 2:48 PM This is for guys who play the altissimo fluently or at least on different horns. Do you notice that it changes from horn to horn? Model to model(like SBA to Mk VI for example), maker to maker? Same for most horns you play? How does it compare from new to vintage horns? I've found that new horns, even student models(like my alto, a Vito)get it much easier. Lately I've been experimenting with licks "up there" and trying to go between high register and altissimo notes, back and forth. I play dark Mark VI tenor and it's a lot tougher; I can only get up to the A, and it takes lots of effort. On the alto I can get up to C with little effort, and I practice it about equally on both horns. I've heard Selmers are not good for altissimo but that learning it on a Selmer or any darker horn will make it easier on others. So basically I'm asking, through experience, what have you learned about how altissimo varies between different horns?
Jax, FL User ID: 8604013	May 30th 4:08 PM I noticed from playing many different horns the altissimo varies dramatically. The same is the case with different reed/mouthpiece setups. Older horns that I have played can play in the altissimo area as well as any new horn I have played. In most cases where the altissimo is very difficult to play when you play it well on another may need to be checked for any leaks. Also when using different horns you may have to use different fingerings to keep them in tune and facilitate your efforts.
MojoBari User ID: 1320554	Jun 3rd 10:47 AM Different sax brands and sizes need different fingerings for the best intonation. A lot of guys just (try to) lip their favorite fingerings in tune. That can work most of the time. My bari needs a bunch of different ones. The Luckey book helped out immensely here for me. I can get away with Rascher fingerings on most other horns, especially on notes from D4 up. But I dont play up there much. For me, F#3 to A3 (or so) needs to be custom for each horn for the best intonation and response. This can drive you nuts.
David User ID: 0004344	Jun 27th 9:37 PM I have a question that would fit well under this topic. I am playing on a very crappy Bundy, but am getting a Serie II on Monday. Will my ability to play altissimo increase, or does it not matter which horn I use? Will I be able to hit higher notes, and make the notes that I can hit now a little more solid?
MS User ID: 0130044	Jun 27th 9:45 PM Different horns will have different blowing resistance. With the same mps as you change horns, sometimes a change in reeds will work better, not different brand - just a different reed of the same brand and size. You may just have to find the voicing spot for each instrument, mouthppiece. More or less resistant reed may make a slight difference.
MBushaw User ID: 9050343	Jun 28th 10:36 AM I've been playing a Selmer BA or Cigar Cutter alto with Barone Jazz or NY HR pieces for a few years now (returning geezer), and have not had much luck with altissimo. In my day we called 'em squeeks and tried hard not to do it, so I figured it was just me. Last month I got a Buffet S1 alto. It has several leaks that need new pads, but I've been playing it anyway. Altissimo pops out with no effort. None, Zero, no changes to emboucher, just finger the notes and they play. Haven't had too much luck with long tone/overtone series (too leaky), but I am just totally amazed at the difference.
bw User ID: 8304653	Jul 19th 11:52 PM I have had the same experience: on alto (MK VI), altissimo just pops out, on my MKVI Tenor, I always had major problems, then I bought a Buffet SDA Tenor recently, and although it is supposed to be a 'darker' horn, the high range is easy to blow....same MP and reed....so, is it the horn or subtle things in the setup like key opening distance?
MS User ID: 0130044	Jul 21st 6:54 AM I find that if I use different mps on the same horn, it takes a while to find the voicings for the whole hor and especially altissimo. Same mouthpiece on different horns. I still have to alter voicing and find the spot where things work well. Harmonics on the tenor is most natural and easy for me. When I switch horns I change voicings. Isn't it interesting that some reeds do harmonics better than others. Same with mouthpieces and aparantly horns too. Try 3 mouthpieces (of the same brand and facing) and there will be a difference if and how the harmonics work.