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Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Altissimo & Multiphonics / Please Help ME!!!!

SaxyTarponGuy
User ID: 0673084 Jul 23rd 8:44 PM
I've been Alto Sax for about 5 years now!! I own a Yamaha YAS-23. I have the stock mouthpiece that came with it and a Vandoren A17 mouthpiece. And I use Vandoren 3-1/2s. I use a Rovner ligature, and no matter what setup I use I can't play any altissimo above A3. From what I have heard F3 to A3 is the hardest range to play. Could someone please give me some suggestions to improve my luck with altissimo.

Any Help would be Greatly Appreciated.
Jacob Winkle

Screech
User ID: 0624334 Jul 23rd 11:50 PM
Get an altissimo book - they are listed here somewhere. In any of the books the harmonic series will be explained and exercises given. When you get a good bit of the harmonics down, the high notes will come.

Screech
User ID: 0624334 Jul 23rd 11:53 PM
Get an altissimo book - they are listed here somewhere. In any of the books the harmonic series will be explained and exercises given. When you get a good bit of the harmonics down, the high notes will come.

ChristopherD Jul 24th 8:56 AM
I learned altissimo on alto using a Selmer C* and could get up to F4 reliably with La Voz medium or medium hard reeds (after . I don't think your setup is a problem, at least not the Vandoren mpc.
I've heard F3 to A3 called the 'transitional' range, and these can be a challenge at first for most of us, especially F# G and G#. I think there is another smaller bump going from A3 to B3. There's something about B3 that makes it not want to pop out the way, say, A3 and below does unless you're prepared for it.

Eugene Rousseau's 'Top Tones for the Saxophone' is a very good altissimo book.

Tom S
User ID: 0359544 Jul 24th 11:56 AM
Rousseau's book also is great for overall tone improvement. Overtones should be part of your daily practice routine.

SaxyTarponGuy User ID: 0673084	Jul 23rd 8:44 PM I've been Alto Sax for about 5 years now!! I own a Yamaha YAS-23. I have the stock mouthpiece that came with it and a Vandoren A17 mouthpiece. And I use Vandoren 3-1/2s. I use a Rovner ligature, and no matter what setup I use I can't play any altissimo above A3. From what I have heard F3 to A3 is the hardest range to play. Could someone please give me some suggestions to improve my luck with altissimo. Any Help would be Greatly Appreciated. Jacob Winkle
Screech User ID: 0624334	Jul 23rd 11:50 PM Get an altissimo book - they are listed here somewhere. In any of the books the harmonic series will be explained and exercises given. When you get a good bit of the harmonics down, the high notes will come.
Screech User ID: 0624334	Jul 23rd 11:53 PM Get an altissimo book - they are listed here somewhere. In any of the books the harmonic series will be explained and exercises given. When you get a good bit of the harmonics down, the high notes will come.
ChristopherD	Jul 24th 8:56 AM I learned altissimo on alto using a Selmer C* and could get up to F4 reliably with La Voz medium or medium hard reeds (after . I don't think your setup is a problem, at least not the Vandoren mpc. I've heard F3 to A3 called the 'transitional' range, and these can be a challenge at first for most of us, especially F# G and G#. I think there is another smaller bump going from A3 to B3. There's something about B3 that makes it not want to pop out the way, say, A3 and below does unless you're prepared for it. Eugene Rousseau's 'Top Tones for the Saxophone' is a very good altissimo book.
Tom S User ID: 0359544	Jul 24th 11:56 AM Rousseau's book also is great for overall tone improvement. Overtones should be part of your daily practice routine.