High F Sharp above the staff

[johnsax]

This is a very elementary question but what is the best fingering for this note on an alto without an F# key? I can get a high F using the fork F key but I can't get that F#.

John

[Steve J.]

Fork F with rh side a# (Bb). Slur back and forth f to f#..... hard to not get it.

[johnsax]

LOL. Hard maybe for YOU not to get it! When I try that fingering, I get a screech that goes DOWN to a high C# above the staff and then way up to HORRIBLE F an octave above high F.

Any idea on what my problem is?

John

[JL]

Try: octave key, LH 1,3 RH 1, low Eb

[Kevin]

My two most common are 123/1 side Bb and fork F with side Bb and D key (RH, third finger)

[Bill Mecca]

JL, man, that one spoke immediately.

It's not one I heard of before, and it will take some time getting used to. Now to find an alternate E3 that is closer to that F#3 fingering.

[amg]

When I try that fingering, I get a screech that goes DOWN to a high C# above the staff and then way up to HORRIBLE F an octave above high F.

Any idea on what my problem is?

For high F and Fsharp with the front F fingering you are using the F key as a vent key to produce a harmonic from a tube length corresponding to A2 (for the F) and Bb2 (for the Fsharp). Essentially you are using the same harmonic from two slightly different tube lengths. So, if you can't get BOTH of them with relative ease, that suggests to me either your horn has a problem OR that you don't really have the correct embouchure and airstream for the top F either -- because what should work for one should also work for the other.

Once you find the right feel, the whole series F - Fsharp - G - Gsharp should emerge (slur them to start with, don't tongue until they're a bit more secure). F sharp is easy, most people find G harder, Gsharp is usually harder still.

In practice I tend to use 123/1 + side Bflat most, as on my horn it seems to give the best sounding note, and the finger movement connections (up to G etc or wherever you have to go next) are reasonable.

[JL]

Bill, glad the one I mentioned above worked for you. I think you'll find it fairly easy to go from that F# fingering to the normal E3 fingering, once you practice it a bit. I'll have to try some of the other fingerings mentioned here, but that one has always worked for me and I just go to it without thinking about it. In fact, I had to pick up the horn and do it before I could describe it.

[rollen]

Bill,

How about using auxF, bis Key and side Bb for F#. Then use the E fingering as AuxF LH2 LH3.