There really is no easy road to the altissimo range, per se. While you may have a certain amount of luck with the “finger the note and blow” method, this is by no way a reliable (or musical!) means of accessing the register. Altissimo is produced not only by altering the length of the instrument (or, fingering the note) but also through the manipulation of the air stream and oral cavity, and through hearing the pitch in your head before you play. That being said, it is important to gain some proficiency with the overtone series before attempting to play in the extended range of the saxophone.

I would suggest the following resources:

“Top Tones for the Saxophone” by Sigurd Rascher
Published by Carl Fischer

“The Altissimo Primer” by Paul Cohen
Published by To the Fore

In interests of helping to expand the saxophone repertoire, I have just posted a new page entitled Note to Composers. This is information for composers to help with understanding of the instrument. You will find a brief discussion of repertoire and extended techniques for the saxophone, as well as a basic historical context.

Tuesday April 24, 2007 at 7:30 PM
The Manhattan School of Music: Room 607
TACTUS “Plugged In”
Environment/Four: Re-synthesis - E. Antonellis

Monday April 23, 2007 at 7:30 PM
The Manhattan School of Music: Greenfield Auditorium
Electronic Music Composers’ Concert
Environment/Four: Re-synthesis - E. Antonellis (premier)

Next week, I will have two opportunities to perform a new work for Soprano Saxophone and Live Electronics by friend and composer Evan Antonellis. Here is what he has to say about the piece: (more…)