[BbBoy]

Tenor altissimo...do you guys learn the notes chromatically, from E upwards? Or do you pick the easier ones and get them nailed first?

Some notes are easier than others, clearly - what order would you suggest?

 

[KeithL]

For me there's been no choice - easiest first. I still have serious problems with G, G#, and Bb. The altissimo alternate fingerings for E, F & F# are no problem but the G is widely considered to be the most difficult note for most people.

 

[ratracer]

I'm for going for easiest first as well. Get a little of the low hanging fruit to use as a motivation for that blasted G!

 

[Reedscraper]

Definitely chromatic. I teach using the alternate (fork) fingering for high E and F, add F sharp with the fork F and high F sharp key. It helps to start the note with air instead of tongue at first. If you can get a G sharp, slide down to the G from there. Be sure you can play the overtone series on low B flat, B, C C sharp to the octave, P5, P4 or you will have minimal success. Good luck

 

[BbBoy]

Thanks for the comments

 

[Multi Reed]

Not just chromatic though. Sure, start there but then try to play some tunes. Remember the starting pieces back at lesson one on sax? Often started on the notes G, A & B. if you take a very basic beginner book and play those exercises up 2 octaves there will be plenty to play that isn't just chromatic stuff.

 

[evan1]

Learn them chromatically. That way you can at east have a reference for relevative pitch from the preceeding altissimo note. Plus you will be able to make a judgement on the fingerings relative to the neighbouring notes.

 

[littlewailer]

Why Learn Chromatically when you can't make them speak?
I'd say learn the easiest first and then work around that.

Using Front F for Altissimo D was my first alt. note on Tenor.

I do still have trouble getting the split note A to sound. It does that weird "lip up and then dead"thing.

Every morning I do a partial major scale and triad in my alt range to warm up. Starting in F# Major
1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1 1-3-5-3-1 Up to Altissimo B

 

[maiaihii]

I found it was easiest to practice the fingerings until I found one that worked, and then go from there. I worked on chromatic after the fact, but first find one note you have no problem with. For me it was the alt. fingering for D4 using only the aux F key. Also Try to incorporate the notes in common songs, this helps with speed and embouchure muscle memory.

 

[bjornblomberg]

Things that may help:
- Rehearse the altissimo alternate fingerings for E, F & F# using the front F key. This will help getting a natural transition from the regular notes to the altissimo range.
- Play simple melodies including the easiest altissimo notes, i.e. the above + altissimo A, then build from there