Why can Altissimo G be such a hurdle to get over for many Saxophone players?

[Michael]

😎 Hey Johnny,

In doing online browsing/talking to some people, seems like almost everyone says the same thing: that Altissimo G was the one note that was like “breaking the ice” so to speak into the Altissimo range and, once they got past that note, then the others seemed to come easier for them. What is it about that Altissimo note in particular, G, that is such a hurdle to get over? I’m on the ear training exercises right now, will be working on Overtones soon 🙂

[Anonymous]

I’m no Johnny Ferreira, but i could do altissimo G
in 2 different positions before doing Johnny’s altissimo course
from looking at very old sax books.
The altissimo G positions that Johnny recomends are
better ones for fluidity! I think it took me a month
to actually hit them.
For 3 different things stopped me from doing
altissimo G
1 the reed – in my case i had to chuck some good reeds that just wouldn’t play up there.
2 the mouthpiece – thats more personal preference, if something niggles you when you play it really distracts, tension, frustration builds up.
you need to be relaxed and very patient. No gripping the sax !
3 embouchure – Lip strength, correct breathing – air flow under control. This is where you need a teacher!
I think a lot learning Sax players who have been playing for a couple of years, because they can play a number of difficult songs and sound very good,
actually think because of this their embouchure is perfect!
They then try the altissimo G find they cant do it – and they have to
go and work on their embouchure – this is where i strongly
recomend Johnny’s altissimo course. It will give you what he
expects an embouchure should be. Harsh words but true.

[john]

it’s the first note that really breaks away from the “normal” end of the sax range. once you can control it, moving up from there is just step by step. but to control it you need to have some things under your belt, as in the altissimo course I laid out, this gets you there.

[Michael]

Which is why I am so, so happy you decided to make the Altissimo course so that we can buy it and learn how to do it; slim pickings is all there was online. I found stuff regarding Alternate fingerings and what; but no one would really show what we need to do regarding those things like you say we need to get under our belt first. Like right now, I’m working on your ear training exercises; no one else online even remotely talks about what you talk about in the ear training, subtones, chromatic scales as being things we need to tackle first. So you laid out the Altissimo course in a way that makes so much sense…….is this the same process you went through when working towards the Altissimo range?

[john]

Yes. I also talked to a sax player friend of mine who shared an interesting story…
His teacher was getting him to do all this type of stuff like ear training, long tones, overtones etc. But he kept requesting to learn how to play the altissimo register but the teacher ignored his requests. This went on for months until one day he showed him how to play some high notes and he was able to do them. Surprised he asked how could he possibly play these altissimo notes and his teacher said because you’ve been studying the necessary techniques needed for the last few months! Yes, he tricked him but it worked anyways even though he was working on the altissimo techniques without even knowing it.

[Anonymous]

I second all that – Johnny’s Altissimo course works for me!
Without it i would be lost!
With it i’ve also got a far better embouchure.

[Michael]

Funny story LOL brings back some memories for me while in nursing school….but with your Altissimo course we know what’s coming….then again maybe not LOL Looking forward to your next Song release.

[Author]

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