[JeffT]

Hi,

is there anybody here that can play altissimo and had his (or her) soft palate surgically removed? This is the "typical" surgery done to counter snoring.

In another thread someone mentioned exercising the soft palate and throat. So now I am wondering if without one it is even possible to play altissimo...

 

[Kermit]

I don't have an answer. But "ouch." That sounds like a painful solution to a common problem!

 

[Sigmund451]

There was a recent post of a modified sax for a guy who didnt have the use of one hand. He could out play a fair number of people.
Given that I have to say that when there is a will there is a way.

 

[paulwl]

Some say the back of the tongue is what is really key in altissimo - being able to voice notes by using the "hump" sensitively without involving the front half of the tongue.

There are, AFAIK, no exercises specifically for the back of the tongue.

 

[JeffT]

I don't have an answer. But "ouch." That sounds like a painful solution to a common problem!

Well painful it is as since of the procedure is also to remove the tonsils "since they are there already". But the worse is not the pain is the fact that 6 months later I was still snoring "in new ways".

This happened in a period where my sax was never leaving its case. If only I had known...

There was a recent post of a modified sax for a guy who didnt have the use of one hand. He could out play a fair number of people.
Given that I have to say that when there is a will there is a way.

The "will" is there but I'd like to know if I am chasing ghosts

I'd be really happy to find out someone that can do altissimo and also miss his solf palate.

 

[MojoBari]

Could you play altissimo before the surgery?

 

[JeffT]

Could you play altissimo before the surgery?

Nope I didn't even know altissimo existed back then.

 

[stormott77]

How much of it is gone? I bet you could if you used more throat constriction. If you make a K sound is there anything above the arch of your tongue?

 

[Randy Hunter]

You might be better able to answer this question than anyone else. Are you able to do overtone exercises? I would think that if you can produce the first 4 overtones based off of the fundamentals, Bb, B, C, and C#, then your chances of playing quality altissimo are are relatively good.

Randy
www.randyhunterjazz.com
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YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/saxtrax

 

[JeffT]

How much of it is gone? I bet you could if you used more throat constriction. If you make a K sound is there anything above the arch of your tongue?

Back then all of it. Some of it grew back (I gained some weight) so I have 1/4 the size of a normal one and it is asymetrical i.e. one side is slightly longer.

You might be better able to answer this question than anyone else. Are you able to do overtone exercises? I would think that if you can produce the first 4 overtones based off of the fundamentals, Bb, B, C, and C#, then your chances of playing quality altissimo are are relatively good.

Randy

I can sound 3 overtone (octave, fifth & octave) of Bb, B albeit I usually have to cheat to play the third one by moving a key to help it enter. Never tried to do them on C# and on D I can do 2. That's on alto. On tenor I can sound the 3rd overtone 50% of the time without cheating from Bb.

 

[JeffT]

By the way, I am not saying I have practiced enough yet, just that I have a hard time progressing further in the overtone series, can only sound high F# on tenor, still can't manage on alto. Hence my question to determine if there is a physiological reason or I simply haven't practice enough yet!

Thanks you for helping me determine that!

 

[gary]

Q: "Does an XT-33 mouthpiece give me the best articulation of all other mpcs?"
A: "Well, I've never played XT - 33, but . . . . . . . .. " :bluewink:

I don't have tonsils, an uvula (always thought that was a female part, anyway), etc. I've had the soft palate roto-rooter job done and my altissimo was fine.

Are you using "Top Tones" and have you read the first couple of pages very carefully?

Practice.

 

[JeffT]

Q: "Does an . . . I've had the soft palate roto-rooter job done and my altissimo was fine.

Are you using "Top Tones" and have you read the first couple of pages very carefully?

Practice.

THANK YOU!

Very happy to learn I just need more practice, that my lack of a soft palate won't block altissimo

I have the "Top Tones" book but progress is awfully slow. Hence the worries.

Thanks again for the testimony

 

[widetrack]

When I started studying Rasher's book, I had a teacher make me spend several weeks before we opened the book with me blowing, I think 5 or maybe even 6 overtones on all the notes from low Bb up to--again, it was a long time ago--I think the A or B above that.

The thing was, he had me focus on supporting the sound ONLY from the diaphragm, and making every muscle above the diaphragm as relaxed and un-involved as possible in the process. I got fairly good at it, but always had trouble keeping the jaw out of the loop.

Anyway, this probably bodes well for you. Spend the time, and I bet you get results.

 

[paulwl]

Interesting. How much "dumb practicing" was involved? How long did you just have to keep bashing on it with just the same basic instructions?

(I have a theory that "dumb practicing" is how teachers make sure their students are only the most dedicated. Because those who need more guidance will just drop out.)

 

[CountSpatula]

Q: "Does an XT-33 mouthpiece give me the best articulation of all other mpcs?"
A: "Well, I've never played XT - 33, but . . . . . . . .. " :bluewink:
.

Reminds me of those old Holiday Inn commercials...lol

 

[Kermit]

This may sound silly, but would singing high notes with just your voice help you "discover" new ways to articulate/voice on the sax? In other words, doing some work away from the sax might show you what you could do when playing the sax to reach the altissimo notes.

 

[BabyBoomer]

I had the same throat surgery about 11 years ago, and I can't hit the altissimo notes either, but I've only been playing for a little over three years, so I was assuming I wasn't far enough along in developing my technical skills yet. I also can't sing high notes, middle C on the piano is a stretch for me - my comfort zone is from there down two octaves. Could be the surgery has no effect, since I've never been able to sing high. I do notice that it's easy to keep my throat open for a fuller sound when I think about it.

 

[JeffT]

I had the same throat surgery about 11 years ago, and I can't hit the altissimo notes either, but I've only been playing for a little over three years, so I was assuming I wasn't far enough along in developing my technical skills yet. I also can't sing high notes, middle C on the piano is a stretch for me - my comfort zone is from there down two octaves. Could be the surgery has no effect, since I've never been able to sing high. I do notice that it's easy to keep my throat open for a fuller sound when I think about it.

Well there is hope, I finally managed to play that elusive high F# :cheers:

I am at the same time relieved and very happy to finally jump that hurdle.

Thank you all for your advices! I'll have to put a mark on my calendar as it has taken me a LONG time to play it. And tonight I didn't just managed to play it for a first time was able to play it in a slow D major arpeggio. :mrgreen:

The "regular" fingerings didn't appear to work for me (YAS-23). Ended up using this weird fingering: X000|000 with octave G# and side Bb...

p.s. Now for the kicker I still cannot play more than 3 overtones on either of low Bb, B, or C.... :faceinpalm:

 

[stormott77]

Try doing mouthpiece only exercises. Once you can play about a full octave on your mouthpiece using your tongue to focus the air the overtones should become a lot easier.