If you can play the overtone series with low Bb up two octaves, you can probably handle starting to work on the altissimo range. Working on all this will develop your sound further, but it is a more advanced topic.
It can strengthen your tone and can be a different sound, check out this video. I play the note at the beginning using a low Bb fingering. When you use the harmonics, you can hear different parts in the sound that make it rich & interesting. Not necessarily pretty though.
I’m in the upper left, mostly covered up…..
If you are unsure about the harmonic series, check out the diagram and video below, then leave a comment about what you are able to do.
Note: You should be able to get low Bb, the octave, and F. Maybe not more than that initially.
Here are some audio recordings I made:
Bb_overtones_tenor (mp3, right click and save)
You should work on the harmonic series until you can get that two octave jump, fourth in the series, before working on altissimo. The overtone series and the control you develop while working on it will help a lot with playing altissimo.
First
Check out this video about the overtone series (.mov movie file, right click and save, I recommend using quicktime to play the file).
Leave a comment about what notes you can play when you finger the low Bb.
Altissimo
After you have worked on the overtone series and can play at least two octaves above the low Bb, while fingering low Bb, then try this.
The easiest altissimo note to play on saxophone is definitely not G, even though it’s immediately above F#.
I would recommend starting with these four notes in altissimo: B, C, C#, D. They use the palm keys.
Here’s how to play them. The fingerings work for both tenor and alto. I’m playing them on tenor in the video version of the guide.
Those four fingerings seem fairly consistent across the horns I have played them on.
PDF Guide (right click and ‘save as’ onto your computer)
Video Guide with Audio (right click and ‘save as’ onto your computer)
The A isn’t too bad to get either, though probably a little harder than B, C, C#, and D. That fingering is a little less standard in that you can hold down the right fingers too to bring up the pitch a bit (if necessary on your horn). And you’re pressing the second two fingers on your right hand.
Here’s an example of me playing it in a solo (on alto), at 1:12
Luke Bong says
Hi Neal,
I’ve been working on the Bb Overtones this entire week. The most challenging note for me is the Bb an octave above. I struggled to get that one out because I would usually get the F instead. So I adjusted my tongue and initially got a robotic-static sound instead which I found out to be multiphonics. Eventually the Bb came out. Yay! I can now reach the Bb 2 octaves.
I find that my reed plays a role in helping me play the overtones. I alternate between 3 reeds which I number 1,2 and 3. I find it ‘easiest’ to play the Bb overtones when I use reed #3 which I recorded last night. I’ll play the overtones again tonight using reed #1 and see how it goes.
I find that practicing overtones really helps my overall saxophone tone. Not only that, I also find myself able to reach the higher notes on the left palm keys. Its a really useful exercise.
Does the same principles apply when playing overtones on low B, C, D, etc? I tried those but could only get the octave above and another note. I can’t reach 2 octaves yet no matter how I shape my tongue at the moment.
Thanks!
Luke
Luke Bong says
Hey Neal,
Could hear your sax screaming at the start of your solo. Really works up the audience. And I really like the way you sounded in the solo – mean and rough. How do you produce that tone?
Were you the one covered by the music stand in the video?
Neal says
Hey Luke,
Yep, it seems to work pretty well in that place of the tune.
I ‘growl’ a sometimes when I play.
Will do a lesson about it, it’s a cool effect that I like to use.
Not in the next few days though since my throat doesn’t feel great.
And yes, that’s me in the upper left. I just added another video to this page at the bottom with a different altissimo note, on alto too.
Luke Bong says
Really like the second video of you playing. Can hear the growl in there as well which really spices up the piece. Hope your throat gets well soon.
Gil says
OK, thanks
Gil says
Hi Neal, you had said earlier that you were going to do a video, etc, when will our next challenge be and video, thanks.
Neal says
Hey Gil, working on the video now. Just posted a new challenge http://saxophonetribe.com/challenges/
Asha says
I am not understanding this challenge. When I play the low Bb, I can play the octave F, and high F, but it does not sound like the notes. I do not understand. What is the goal?
Neal says
Send me a recording of you playing this, it’s possible you’re not doing it quite right.
KT says
Neal,
Low D is D without octave
High D is D with octave key
? What is the D above the staff lines called?
Neal says
You could call it D above the staff or D with the palm key, those aren’t official terms but I think they would be understood, that’s what I would prefer if you’re talking to me about it.
To be technical, you could use the numbers that they use for piano notes, like C3, D5, etc. But then you would probably want to talk about them in concert pitch.
KT says
Could not reach with left pinky. Trying harmonics with low C first then Bb.
Neal says
Actually noticed that there’s a table key modification on a Buescher alto model that gives two options for pressing low Bb, one is easier to reach. But it feels strange to me.
KT says
Neal,
I finally got low C to feel right, but I have to wait or try twice before breathe goes through smoothly. It sometimes causes me to be off on rhythm. The Bb is at the beginning stages after a long time just trying to reach the correct key for enharmonics. I have not tried it ” in stride” while playing.
Neal says
Hey Tim, try the series using the fingering for the low Bb, no octave key. Let me know how it goes.
Neal says
Hey Tim,
It’s played…. when it fits in. Adds range to the saxophone. Lets you get some notes on tenor that you would usually need an alto or soprano for. But actually, I think your response is very practical, just to use a soprano.
That said, besides the direct benefits of having a bigger range, being able to play altissimo helps your sound. I wrote a few posts about this on Sax Station, will maybe bring a few of those ideas over to this page.
If you’ve been playing less than a year, I wouldn’t recommend worrying about altissimo. After a few years though, you might get interested in working on overtones and altissimo. And you may discover that some of your favorite sax players use altissimo, some pretty frequently. Examples include Lenny Pickett, Stanley Turrentine, and quite a few others.
It’s not always used and a lot of times you don’t see it written in saxophone music since it does take a little more work to be comfortable in that range.
Michael Sojka says
I just emailed you back, realizing that you told me to post on this page. I’m still just focusing on the scales and getting some consistent fingering down. This seems like something I’ll move up to in a month or so when I am producing more consistent sound. Come to think of it, I’m actually having a harder time with higher notes. They tend to squeak quite a bit. It seems like it takes a lot more effort to play the higher notes, as far as embouchure and I feel like I’m having to tighten around the reed and mouthpiece more to produce the right sound. More long tone exercises maybe?
Neal says
Hey Michael,
Thanks. It’s good to get the fundamentals first before tackling altissimo, but altissimo is good to add down the line.
Playing long tones in that range should help there.
Thanks
-Neal
Thom says
Hi Neal! I’m going on vacation June 12 through June 19 To Washington State (Seattle Area). When I get back, I’m going to try to get down to business with this sax.
Thomas