David Pope Demonstrates Altissimo for Alto Saxophone

[iBeyMaster]

what was that song at the beginning called?

[menace391]

I have a Conn student horn (I'm a Sophomore in High School) and using 1 and 3 on both hands got a Altissimo G out for me. Thanks for the video Mr. Pope!

[cbjazz2c]

I have no problem getting all sorts of good altissimo on my Selmer 1990 S-80 tenor, but my 1925 Buescher TT alto has neither an F# key,and It does not have the F Palm key lifter either... So I got your progression, but without the side Bb (8ve,F palm only with top Bb and A for the F, add just the middle F with some lipping down for F# and release A for G.) Thanks!

[mastergionni]

Hi David are Nico I write from Italy, congratulations for the clarity with which you express yourself, if I can ask you a favor, could you post a video on all positions over tones for the tenor and the alto sax..?.?.Thank you

[SirGeoffGassy]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Finally going to try to master altissimo and didn't know how to start. Thanks!

[robin17171]

I can get a D C# and C on tenor and alto with the D Eb and F keys by over-blowing. But anything lower is a pain for me.

[Popesax]

@robin17171 That's a common situation, as it is easy to bite out those notes without really voicing them. The lower notes require less bite and more precise voicing. Focus on the exercise in the video to find the G, and watch for a new video on tenor altissimo. Good luck!

[robin17171]

Has anybody tried the G on a Tenor?

[bebetocuervo]

I don't know how to whisle...

[nickschulz13]

can you help? my higher notes aren't coming out, their making a c sharpish tone

[Popesax]

@nickschulz13 When you say higher notes, what specific notes are you talking about? I have some ideas, but I'd like to know what notes you are trying to play.

[nickschulz13]

@Popesax just high g's and a's in the altissmo range, i could get a very sharp quick sound that can't last and really just doesn't sound well.

[ToddCWilliams]

@Popesax The altissimo range is anything above high f (or above high f# if you have a high f# key). Once you get above high c#, you use the "palm keys" of your left hand to get d, d#, e, and f -- we're talking about the notes above that. There are lots of them, but you don't find them written down or taught or explained very often. But they exist -- just listen to an Eric Marienthal or Lenny Pickett solo and you'll hear some.

[crypiticfire]

@nickschulz13 if the noise is in a altissimo register then bite less and position your mouth a tad bit back. If the noise sounds like playing a c# with no hands then adjust your mouth a little forward on the mouthpiece.

When i learned altissimo i had to experiment the areas of the mouth piece i played on till i could play it where my mouth usually is without moving it to get the notes.

[therawest601]

do you have a video that demonstrates multiphonics on alto sax?

[Popesax]

@therawest601 Not yet, but I'll try to get something together

[ThePianoguy96]

If it wasn't for you I don't think I would've gotten the concept of playing altisimo notes. I think at being just 14 when i started playing altisimo notes I surprised everyone. I hope to go to JMU in about 3 years. Thanks again for all your help and I hope to see more amazing videos from you.

[Popesax]

@ThePianoguy96 Awesome! I'm glad this was helpful. Keep up the good practicing.

[XxGTxAssaultxX]

Thanks!!!! finally got a g sharp on my soprano!!!!!!

[Popesax]

@XxGTxAssaultxX That's a big deal . . . congratulations!

[saxdaddy213]

@XxGTxAssaultxX

Nice!, try and get an alltissimo D on soprano, it doesnt even sound like a note, but its fun to annoy people :)

[SamuelGrego]

Excellent lesson, very nice job. Thanks !

[ShoeBob98]

are rico reeds any good?

[Popesax]

@ShoeBob98 I've been playing vandoren for 20 years. I don't really like the cane on rico . . . but I haven't tried their newer reeds. If they work for you, use them!

[EmulatorDX]

what strength of reeds do you use?

[Popesax]

@EmulatorDX Vandoren #3 (blue box) on my classical mouthpiece (used above), or Vandoren ZZ #3 on my jazz mouthpiece (Selmer E).

[BlueBurryPimp]

You should've totally tried for the youtube symphony.....represent for the saxophones :)

[ThePianoguy96]

@BlueBurryPimp Unfortunately I don't believe they take saxophones in the youtube symphony

[814jazzer]

Good stuff, Popes!

The Mary Had a Little Lamb demo midway through is hilarious, by the way, :-)

[heliostocker1]

good man...

[DiruBackslash]

hey so im a highschool sax player and i can hit the 5th register D but hav trouble controling and knowing when to use the altissimo range

[msartecat]

This is excellent!! Please do more.

I do some repairing and it is very helpful to see what you are doing and hear the multiphonics that an open key can produce.

You have a good way of explaining why things happen.

[Popesax]

@msartecat : Thank you! More are on the way.

[jimholst]

Now play Classical Gas.

[ranger2l]

Oh my god. The beginning.

[ranger2l]

@ranger2l Thank YOU SO MUCH!