[altobeginner]

I can play the first (octave) overtone consistently from low Bb to middle C#.
I can play the 2nd (octave + 5th) overtone consistently from low Bb through Eb. But when I hit E it drops out, disappears, nada.
I can play the 3rd (2nd octave) overtone consistently from low Bb through Eb. Again it disappears at E.
I haven't tried to hit any 4th overtones yet. Maybe tomorrow.

But first I need to know. Is the roadblock I run into a E normal? There's no roadblock for the first overtone, what's going on?

I'm playing a Yamaha 280 alto with a Meyer 5 medium mouthpiece and a Legere 2..25 reed if any of that matters.

 

[altobeginner]

I figured it out. It was my Legere Signature 2.25 plastic reed that was creating the "roadblock". I swapped it out for a Rico 2.5 cane reed and was able to play the 2nd overtone all the way from low Bb to G. I was also able to hit the low Bb and B fourth overtones for the first time. And I was able to play the 1st overtone all the way up the horn from Low Bb to the middle left side D and Eb when I'd previously only got to open Db on the Legere.

Went back to the Legere after removing the mental roadblock at E and was sort of able to hit the 2nd overtone but it was still tougher than with the cane reed. Now I know!

 

[andre251]

While it is good to try and hit the overtones from each note, it is actually also advised to use the lowest possible fundamental when performing an overtone. So instead of using Low Eb fundamental to hit Bb3, you should be using low Bb fundamental to hit Bb3.
I honestly don’t think I have tried doing anything except for one octave from low E and up. When I get to Eb I usually drop to the lowest fundamental.