learning altissimos; can anyone answer my question?

[saxman_Bill]

This is kind of weird. Well let me start off by saying that I'm a semi-new player at altissimos. I've been practicing for a few months now. The problem I have isn't in reaching them. I can reach pretty much my full range and I can control them usually. The problem I have is that I can't find a way to differentiate my fingerings. I use the fingerings on a chart that I have, but for some of them I get different notes. For example LH- B and G RH- F and D is the fingering I have for C but I also use it for G and B. This is really hurting my progress, I was wondering if there was anything that I'm doing wrong that I can fix or if I just have to le`rn more control...

[MojoBari]

Fingerings are secondary. They help in fine tuning some of the notes and sometimes help you lock in a stable note. But there are a lot of good fingerings that are usefull for more than one note. You need to hear the note in your head before you play it. That will help your muscle memory in your embochure to configure itself for the pitch you want. So I think you are on the right track.

[jasongoblue]

I agree with saxman_Bill. Muscle memory, muscle memory, muscle memory and ear training. Your soft pallet and throat "muscles" will memorize the correct positions to place the notes over time. Ear training is just as important to place the notes correctly.

Practice with a tuner!

Good luck.

[Wailin']

saxman_bill, many of the altissimo fingerings don't work on certain brands of horns. Try holding the RH--Eb key low key with your fingering for C. For G try omiting the RH-- D from your fingering for G along with the Bb side key.

Bottom line, get "Saxophone Altissimo:High note development for the contemporary player" by Robert A. Luckey, Phd. It has helped me lock in a lot of altissimo fingerings.

[Djt2005]

This was the most helpful site that I ever found. The bad thing is, once you out grow it, you're on your own.