Altissimo
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- For Italian commune, see Altissimo (commune). For the politician, see Renato Altissimo.
Altissimo refers to the uppermost register on woodwind instruments such as the saxophone and clarinet. While clarinetists routinely play in the altissimo register, on saxophone altissimo notes are considered above the normal range of the instrument.
For example, on a saxophone, it is possible for the saxophonist to finger a low B♭ (the lowest note on the instrument) and by changing the configuration of the tongue and throat blow the full overtone series of the low B♭ (middle B♭, middle F, high B♭, high D, high F, and into the altissimo range.)
Using this technique, sax players have determined alternative fingerings that work well with very high notes (altissimo notes). Most saxophones were designed with altissimo in mind. The "front f" key on the sax above middle and high-b which closes the B but opens high F (played with the left index finger) is put there for alternate fingerings of high notes, as well as altissimo.
Here are some examples on saxophone (all utilize the octave key).
- High E alternate fingering: front f (left index finger) + A (left middle finger) + G (left ring finger)
- High F alternate fingering: front f (left index finger) + A (left middle finger)
- High F♯ alternate fingering for some horns, altissimo for others: front f (left index finger) + A (left middle finger) + side A♯ (right hand)
- High G altissimo: front f (left index finger) + side A♯ (right hand). This is a hard one.
- High A altissimo: finger a middle-d and lift the left index finger. This is an easier altissimo note.
Practicing overtones is the secret to altissimo. Low B♭, B, C, and C♯ allow a large spectrum of overtones to be practiced.
Few saxophonists have completely mastered this. Matthew "Squares" Squires was the first to attempt a live show using this technique. Some accomplished altissimo players include Eddie Harris Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Craig "Drizzy" Driscoll, Joshua Willard, Lyndon "London" Franks, and Lenny "L.P" Picket.eo:Altissimo fr:Altissimo it:Altissimo nl:Altissimo nap:Altissimo pl:Altissimo pt:Altissimo
