Recorded on May 8, 2014, in Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea, by Neil R. Coulter (alto saxophone)

A few years ago I decided to work on my altissimo range. Honestly, I've rarely heard a good altissimo. Jazz players seem to use it only to screech the climax of an improv solo. And even good classical players, when they reach an altissimo section of a concerto (like the Ibert), the range just rarely sounds pleasant. So I wanted to try to hone an altissimo sound that is closer to the sumptuous, lush, singing tone of a violin--something I could actually use, once I had the facility to move around up there.

At just the point when I was getting bored of the Rascher Top Tones book (having nearly memorized all of the exercises), I found Noah Getz's brilliant book, Stratosphere: Altissimo Etudes for Saxophone. I've been working on those etudes, and this is my first try at recording one of them: Spanish Tinge.  

My altissimo sound still has plenty of room for improvement. I haven't yet achieved the sweet tone of a violin, nor do I know if that is ever possible. As I listen to the recording, though, it seems to me that there is soom good possibility of exploiting the timbral similarities between the saxophone altissimo and some double-reed aerophones of other cultures. That may prove a more fruitful avenue of exploration.

For now, however, I'd really appreciate any feedback, especially suggestions for continued growth in the altissimo range. 

Noah Getz - Spanish Tinge (2011), for alto saxophone

Selmer Super-Action 80 Serie III soprano saxophone; Selmer S80 C* mouthpiece; Rovner Eddie Daniels ligature; Vandoren 3 1/2 reeds

Selmer Mark VI alto saxophone; vintage Sigurd Rascher mouthpiece; Rovner Dark ligature; Vandoren 3 1/2 reeds

Cebulla neckstrap

Noah Getz - Spanish Tinge (2011), for alto saxophone

ethnosax