High F
But before we get to the high F#…
Below is your regular F. This is the highest note of the saxophone’s normal range. To make things easier we’ll write the F that sits on the top line of the staff with the 8va which means to actually play it an octave higher. In actuality this top F is written on top of the 3rd line above the normal staff as shown below on the right. As we get higher this written register will get more difficult to read and recognize so we’ll use the lower written octave with the 8va.
*Note – octave key is used for all fingerings below
For now, ignore the above fingering and play high F with it’s regular fingering position which is all 3 left hand palm keys with the top right hand side key; this is the standard way of playing a high F.
Play it over and over, alternating it with the 2nd F, which is the one an octave below it. Do this to really get the note’s pitch in your head… you are the F!
Now play the same high F using the fork fingering as shown in the image above. I call this the fork or forked fingering because it shapes the 1st and 2nd fingers into a kind of fork shape.
It’s very important to know and use this forked F fingering. Practise it until it’s all second nature for you.
High F#
Below is your high F#, technically, the first note of the saxophone’s altissimo range.
F# fingering position #1
Notice the same fork fingering on the left hand with the addition of the F with the right hand. These three notes will give you the high F#.
The best way to start practising is going from the F to the F#. It’s just the addition of the right hand index finger so do this as smoothly as you can and it will work for you.
Once you get the F# hold it for a good while, trying not to lose control of it. As you hold it, try tonguing it and see if you can still control it.
Next, compare the high F# with the middle F# to see how in tune it is. If you fell it’s just about right or even perfect, then you’re in luck and you can keep this as your main high F# fingering…. not very in tune?
If this fingering is giving you a flat high F# you need to help it get a bit sharper by adding another key…
F# fingering position #1 with added side key for sharper intonation
Notice the addition of the bottom side palm key. This key should be just about parallel with the F key your right index finger is on, so just depress the bottom palm key with the base part of your index finger at the same time.
Go back and forth with this and see if you get a better pitched F# (check it against your middle F#). If there is no difference then you don’t need to bother with this extra key. If it makes a big difference then this is your new best alternate fingering for the high F#.
I have one more F# fingering for you. This one works very well but doesn’t employ the forked fingering so might not be as easy to slide into from the forked F fingering position but you should try it anyway as it might prove to work perfectly for you.
F# fingering position #2
