Altissimo
Encyclopedia
Altissimo refers to the uppermost register
on woodwind instrument
s. For clarinet
s, which overblow
on odd harmonic
s, the altissimo notes are those based on the fifth, seventh, and higher harmonics. For other woodwinds, the altissimo notes are those based on the third, fourth, and higher harmonics. The altissimo register is also known as the high register.
flute
, the first altissimo note, D6 , is played using the third harmonic of G4 . Fourth harmonics are used for D#6 through G#6 , and notes from A6 through C7 are played with fifth or sixth harmonics.
A careful examination of the flute fingering for the notes D6 through G6 reveals that they are actually a combination of third and fourth harmonic fingerings. For example the D fingering is like the low D4 with the addition of the G# key vented, for which D6 is the third harmonic. Similarly, in the third octave, the E is a combination of E and A fingerings, the F is a combination of F and B, et cetera.
On the oboe
, third harmonics are mainly used.
On clarinets, fifth harmonics are used for the first half dozen notes above (written) C6 ; seventh and ninth harmonics are used beyond that.
For bassoon
s, the altissimo notes bear complicated harmonic relationships to the fundamental register.
Saxophone altissimo is generally considered to be any note that is higher than written high F# which is considered to be the highest note in the saxophones regular range. Altissimo is produced by the player using various voicing techniques such as air stream, tongue, throat and embouchure
variations to disturb the fundamental
of a note which results in one of the higher overtones
dominating.
In classical music, altissimo playing is considered a necessary skill for saxophonists, and much of the modern concert saxophone
repertoire utilizes the altissimo range. A notable proponent of the altissimo range was Sigurd Raschèr
, who preferred the term top tones. Raschèr is also the author of "Top Tones For the Saxophone", which is the most widely used and known method book for training saxophonists how to perform in the upper and altissimo register of the saxophone. Pete Thomas
has published an online altissimo fingering chart for alto and tenor saxophones.
In jazz
music, use of altissimo is common, especially among avant-garde
players, though one of its earliest practitioners was the swing player, Earl Bostic
. Altissimo technique and the use of multiphonics are prominent in the influential work of Eric Dolphy
and John Coltrane
during the 1960s, as well as in the work of Lenny Pickett, Ron Holloway
and Scott Page
.
Low note overtones are similar to altissimo but mostly result in a lower pitch than written high F.
For example, it is possible to use a low B♭ fingering to produce a series of higher overtones by using air stream, tongue, throat and embouchure variations.
Register (music)
In music, a register is the relative "height" or range of a note, set of pitches or pitch classes, melody, part, instrument or group of instruments...
on woodwind instrument
Woodwind instrument
A woodwind instrument is a musical instrument which produces sound when the player blows air against a sharp edge or through a reed, causing the air within its resonator to vibrate...
s. For clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
s, which overblow
Overblowing
Overblowing A technique used while playing a wind instrument which, primarily through manipulation of the supplied air , causes the sounded pitch to jump to a higher one...
on odd harmonic
Harmonic
A harmonic of a wave is a component frequency of the signal that is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency, i.e. if the fundamental frequency is f, the harmonics have frequencies 2f, 3f, 4f, . . . etc. The harmonics have the property that they are all periodic at the fundamental...
s, the altissimo notes are those based on the fifth, seventh, and higher harmonics. For other woodwinds, the altissimo notes are those based on the third, fourth, and higher harmonics. The altissimo register is also known as the high register.
Flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon
On the Boehm systemBoehm System
The Boehm system is a system of keywork for the flute, created by inventor and flautist Theobald Boehm between 1831 and 1847.Prior to the development of the Boehm system, flutes were most commonly made of wood, with an inverse conical bore, eight keys, and tone holes that were small in size, and...
flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, the first altissimo note, D
A careful examination of the flute fingering for the notes D6 through G6 reveals that they are actually a combination of third and fourth harmonic fingerings. For example the D fingering is like the low D
On the oboe
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
, third harmonics are mainly used.
On clarinets, fifth harmonics are used for the first half dozen notes above (written) C
For bassoon
Bassoon
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers, and occasionally higher. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band and chamber music literature...
s, the altissimo notes bear complicated harmonic relationships to the fundamental register.
Saxophone
- See also: Altissimo section in Saxophone article
- See also Altissimo section in Sigurd Raschèr article
Saxophone altissimo is generally considered to be any note that is higher than written high F# which is considered to be the highest note in the saxophones regular range. Altissimo is produced by the player using various voicing techniques such as air stream, tongue, throat and embouchure
Embouchure
The embouchure is the use of facial muscles and the shaping of the lips to the mouthpiece of woodwind instruments or the mouthpiece of the brass instruments.The word is of French origin and is related to the root bouche , 'mouth'....
variations to disturb the fundamental
Fundamental frequency
The fundamental frequency, often referred to simply as the fundamental and abbreviated f0, is defined as the lowest frequency of a periodic waveform. In terms of a superposition of sinusoids The fundamental frequency, often referred to simply as the fundamental and abbreviated f0, is defined as the...
of a note which results in one of the higher overtones
Overtone
An overtone is any frequency higher than the fundamental frequency of a sound. The fundamental and the overtones together are called partials. Harmonics are partials whose frequencies are whole number multiples of the fundamental These overlapping terms are variously used when discussing the...
dominating.
In classical music, altissimo playing is considered a necessary skill for saxophonists, and much of the modern concert saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
repertoire utilizes the altissimo range. A notable proponent of the altissimo range was Sigurd Raschèr
Sigurd Raschèr
Sigurd Manfred Raschèr was an American saxophonist of German birth. He became one of the most important figures in the development of the 20th century repertoire for the classical saxophone.-Career in Europe:...
, who preferred the term top tones. Raschèr is also the author of "Top Tones For the Saxophone", which is the most widely used and known method book for training saxophonists how to perform in the upper and altissimo register of the saxophone. Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas is best known as the longtime drummer for Elvis Costello. Tom Waits has referred to him as "one of the best rock drummers alive".-Career:...
has published an online altissimo fingering chart for alto and tenor saxophones.
In jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
music, use of altissimo is common, especially among avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
players, though one of its earliest practitioners was the swing player, Earl Bostic
Earl Bostic
Earl Bostic was an American jazz and rhythm and blues alto saxophonist, and a pioneer of the post-war American Rhythm and Blues style. He had a number of popular hits such as "Flamingo", "Harlem Nocturne", "Temptation", "Sleep", "Special Delivery Stomp", and "Where or When", which showed off his...
. Altissimo technique and the use of multiphonics are prominent in the influential work of Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy
Eric Allan Dolphy was an American jazz alto saxophonist, flutist, and bass clarinetist. On a few occasions he also played the clarinet and baritone saxophone. Dolphy was one of several multi-instrumentalists to gain prominence in the 1960s...
and John Coltrane
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
during the 1960s, as well as in the work of Lenny Pickett, Ron Holloway
Ron Holloway
Ronald Edward "Ron" Holloway is an American tenor saxophonist. He is listed in the Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz where veteran jazz critic Ira Gitler described Holloway as a "bear-down-hard-bopper who can blow authentic R&B and croon a ballad with warm, blue feeling." Holloway is the recipient...
and Scott Page
Scott Page
Scott Page is a multimedia entrepreneur whose primary recognition is as a musician and as founder of technology firms such as New Media Broadcasting Company .-Awards:Scott Page has received several acknowledgments and awards, primarily for his...
.
Low note overtones are similar to altissimo but mostly result in a lower pitch than written high F.
For example, it is possible to use a low B♭ fingering to produce a series of higher overtones by using air stream, tongue, throat and embouchure variations.