Saxophone Altissimo Technique

1. Key Points for Learning Altissimo Notes
The altissimo technique extends the normal range of the saxophone and is one of the advanced playing techniques. Before attempting altissimo notes, it is essential to have a solid mastery and control over the basic range. Based on my years of study and exploration, I believe the following steps are crucial. First, you should focus on preliminary overtones practice. Using a single fingering, experiment with changing your embouchure and adjusting your airflow to produce different pitches. Through this practice, you’ll discover the embouchure and throat position that best suits your body’s structure for playing altissimo notes. Once you’ve mastered this control, you can begin practicing with the correct altissimo fingering chart. Finally, incorporate these notes into your scale exercises until you can seamlessly apply them to musical pieces. If controlled well, the overtones produced using the altissimo technique can have a powerful impact on the listener, enriching the color and fullness of the music.

2. Choice of Breathing Technique
Although the airflow for playing altissimo notes is the same as for the regular range, it’s crucial to remember to use Abdominal breathing during the process. Specifically, remember that you should not blow with your mouth, but rather with your abdomen breath. When playing altissimo notes, there should be no tongued attack (produced by the tongue touching the reed). Instead, focus on using the strength of your Abdominal breath to achieve the higher pitches.