Altissimo And Upper Altissimo Register (clarinet), How best to tackle the alternatives ? Options

[Tequila]

One of my areas to improve in my clarinet playing is the Altissimo and upper altissimo registers.

I know basic fingerings up to top G plus one or 2 alternatives for some of these notes. I also know one fingering for top G#/Ab (overblown middle finger Eb) and one for A (Overblown E ) I also know 1 fingering for top C (Based on long Bb/top G) and have previously been able to play all of these - but on my old clarinet. I am aware that the fingerings may need changing slightly for best tuning on my new clarinet.

Tonight I've been going back through my old tutor for this register (The Complete Clarinet Player book 4) and trying to learn some of the other alternatives and test out tuning. I then looked at the fingering chart that came with my clarinet and a lot of the suggested fingerings are different, particularly which little finger key to use (C# in many places rather than C or Eb). I'm assuming that these fingerings are perhaps more instrument specific so may be better to use...

Then of course Woodwind.org has much more extensive charts with many more options.

I have to admit to end up feeling a bit bemused by it all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) My brain kind of shuts down and I only remember 1 or 2 of the options so how do I know which are the best to learn??? Should I just learn them in conjunction with pieces or in isolation?? Problem is that when i encounter these high notes (particularly when in trills) in pieces I can struggle with the fingerings for them. I really want to improve this aspect of my playing so any suggestions of how best to expand my knowledge of teh alternative fingerings up there???

[barry-clari]

For me, the fun starts at F# : this is when an awful lot of options come into play.

You won't need every single fingering variation on the woodwind.org list, but it's as well to know a selection. I use three fingerings for F#, 2 for G, then beyond, yes, it gets a bit daunting if you look at the list! Taking the G#, there are 18 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) different fingerings there, but I only use three of them anything like regularly.

Equally, there are fingerings beyond G# that I use that aren't on the woodwind.org list at all! For altissimo B, for example, I use the fingering at the top of that list, but with the right hand Eb key rather than the side G# key : I find the tuning's rather nicer on my clari that way.

Scales are a good way of absorbing these extreme notes, along with long notes : deal with them one at a time is my recommendation. So, taking G#/Ab as an example, try a couple of fingerings as long tones, then try a 3 octave Ab major scale, a G# minor scale (try a natural minor for a different approach, rather than a harmonic or melodic minor), the arpeggios and then if you're feeling really daring, a scale in 3rds in Ab major. You can do equivalents with the other upper altissimo notes.

When you're feeling happy with your selection of G#/Abs, have a look for a few pieces with them in, to really glue them in. It'll take work, but you'll get there. Have fun Dawn! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Clarimoo]

It'll take work,

.... and all the dogs in the neighbourhood will start barking....
Thanks Barry-Clari, I need to work on these too and as usual you have provided a constructive and detailed answer. I have shunted this practice to the end of my practice sessions with the consequence that it's too easy to not bother because I only consider doing it when I'm tired. The question is "shall I work on my high notes and make my lip hurt or shall I stop there and have a cup of tea?". Recently tea has won. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Tequila]

For me, the fun starts at F# : this is when an awful lot of options come into play.

You won't need every single fingering variation on the woodwind.org list, but it's as well to know a selection. I use three fingerings for F#, 2 for G, then beyond, yes, it gets a bit daunting if you look at the list! Taking the G#, there are 18 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) different fingerings there, but I only use three of them anything like regularly.

Equally, there are fingerings beyond G# that I use that aren't on the woodwind.org list at all! For altissimo B, for example, I use the fingering at the top of that list, but with the right hand Eb key rather than the side G# key : I find the tuning's rather nicer on my clari that way.

Scales are a good way of absorbing these extreme notes, along with long notes : deal with them one at a time is my recommendation. So, taking G#/Ab as an example, try a couple of fingerings as long tones, then try a 3 octave Ab major scale, a G# minor scale (try a natural minor for a different approach, rather than a harmonic or melodic minor), the arpeggios and then if you're feeling really daring, a scale in 3rds in Ab major. You can do equivalents with the other upper altissimo notes.

When you're feeling happy with your selection of G#/Abs, have a look for a few pieces with them in, to really glue them in. It'll take work, but you'll get there. Have fun Dawn! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Thanks Barry. As always you've provided a clear methodic way to approach these. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I know and use 3 fingerings for G but only 2 for the F# (without consulting the fingering charts) - the one base on A minus top finger plus little finger Eb key and long F# (RT123G#/12-) which other one do you use regularly? Also, as there are 18 possibilities (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) for top Ab/G# Could you maybe suggest the best 2 or 3 to try? So far I'd do middle finger Eb overblown; and maybe at a later stage I can ask the same thing with regards to A... ?(currently I'd use overblown E)

Finally, At the risk of sounding really ignorant in my theory..... What's a natural minor??? having only done exams up to grade 5 and nothing beyond I am aware that my theory might not be quite as good as my playing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

[barry-clari]

Thanks Barry. As always you've provided a clear methodic way to approach these. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I know and use 3 fingerings for G but only 2 for the F# (without consulting the fingering charts) - the one base on A minus top finger plus little finger Eb key and long F# (RT123G#/12-) which other one do you use regularly? Also, as there are 18 possibilities (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) for top Ab/G# Could you maybe suggest the best 2 or 3 to try? So far I'd do middle finger Eb overblown; and maybe at a later stage I can ask the same thing with regards to A... ?(currently I'd use overblown E)

The other F# I use is overblown side key Bb. I'll let you know about A soon, yes, but in the meantime, these are my preferred G#s :-

register key/thumb -2-/-2- Eb key

register key/thumb ---/1-- Eb key

register key/thumb --3/1-- Eb key

Finally, At the risk of sounding really ignorant in my theory..... What's a natural minor??? having only done exams up to grade 5 and nothing beyond I am aware that my theory might not be quite as good as my playing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

Natural minor scales don't add any raised sixths/sevenths like other minor scales do : it's just simply follow the key signature. A natural minor would therefore be A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[controller76]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/niceThread.gif)

I'm at work at the moment, I can't wait to get home and try out some of these different fingerings out.

Thanks Barry, and all.

Regards, Peter.

[Tequila]

Thanks Barry. As always you've provided a clear methodic way to approach these. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I know and use 3 fingerings for G but only 2 for the F# (without consulting the fingering charts) - the one base on A minus top finger plus little finger Eb key and long F# (RT123G#/12-) which other one do you use regularly? Also, as there are 18 possibilities (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) for top Ab/G# Could you maybe suggest the best 2 or 3 to try? So far I'd do middle finger Eb overblown; and maybe at a later stage I can ask the same thing with regards to A... ?(currently I'd use overblown E)

The other F# I use is overblown side key Bb. I'll let you know about A soon, yes, but in the meantime, these are my preferred G#s :-

register key/thumb -2-/-2- Eb key

register key/thumb ---/1-- Eb key

register key/thumb --3/1-- Eb key

Finally, At the risk of sounding really ignorant in my theory..... What's a natural minor??? having only done exams up to grade 5 and nothing beyond I am aware that my theory might not be quite as good as my playing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

Natural minor scales don't add any raised sixths/sevenths like other minor scales do : it's just simply follow the key signature. A natural minor would therefore be A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Ok. That makes sense. Thanks Barry (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'm going to get organised and print off some fingering charts and mark on the best ones to use - adding to the listed ones if necessary (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Then introduce some time to parctise these in my practise schedule. As Barry has nicely tailored his suggestions to tie in with what he konws I'm already doing it shouldn't be too hard to do.

Thanks again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'll be trying out later (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)


As an aside: Anyone starting out on the altissimo register and finding it all a bit scary... I found this http://miamiclarinet.blogspot.com/2009/01/...-altissimo.html article last night when researching. Personally i thought it sounded helpful. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[barry-clari]

As an aside: Anyone starting out on the altissimo register and finding it all a bit scary... I found this http://miamiclarinet.blogspot.com/2009/01/...-altissimo.html article last night when researching. Personally i thought it sounded helpful. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I wouldn't use that in isolation, but a lot of that is helpful : particularly the advice about not making the high notes a great big ordeal (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Tequila]

As an aside: Anyone starting out on the altissimo register and finding it all a bit scary... I found this http://miamiclarinet.blogspot.com/2009/01/...-altissimo.html article last night when researching. Personally i thought it sounded helpful. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I wouldn't use that in isolation, but a lot of that is helpful : particularly the advice about not making the high notes a great big ordeal (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

That's what I thought. It was interesting about what she called the "2nd register key" though and the fingering patterns. I've realised that now but not when i first started on this path many years back. It could have been helpful.

Incidentally in relation to not making the high notes a big deal do you know anything about Dr Downing's Clarinet is Easy book, Professional fingering charts and Technique Doctors? Couldn't help but be intrigued about what it said about fingering being taught wrongly etc... link here

[barry-clari]

Incidentally in relation to not making the high notes a big deal do you know anything about Dr Downing's Clarinet is Easy book, Professional fingering charts and Technique Doctors? Couldn't help but be intrigued about what it said about fingering being taught wrongly etc... link here

Not read the Clarinet is Easy book. The fingering charts are pretty good, but there are online ones now that are superior. The technique doctors are OK, but there are things in there that won't suit everybody.

The one Dr. Downing book I do recommend wholeheartedly is the First Aid Doctor, which is a first class publication, that I strongly recommend to every clarinettist (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[jazzycat]

Incidentally in relation to not making the high notes a big deal do you know anything about Dr Downing's Clarinet is Easy book, Professional fingering charts and Technique Doctors? Couldn't help but be intrigued about what it said about fingering being taught wrongly etc... link here

I have Playing the Clarinet is Easy - cut my teeth on it, so to speak! The main issue about fingering is that the book teaches you to keep the right-hand fingers on for the throat notes - from the very beginning - so that the clarion notes afterwards are much easier. Other tutor books teach you 'no hands' throat G and then suggest that after about grade 5 you re-learn the fingerings with the right-hand fingers down.

Also the book covers exercises in the whole range, from the start, rather than insisting you learn the chalumeau notes first and progress upwards. As a result, I haven't had issues with the altissimo register!

You are a far more advanced player than I, Dawn, so I wouldn't have thought there was much in the book that you won't have covered already. The Technique Doctors and the First Aid Doctor are very handy, though.

Hope this is useful
j (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

[Tequila]

Incidentally in relation to not making the high notes a big deal do you know anything about Dr Downing's Clarinet is Easy book, Professional fingering charts and Technique Doctors? Couldn't help but be intrigued about what it said about fingering being taught wrongly etc... link here

I have Playing the Clarinet is Easy - cut my teeth on it, so to speak! The main issue about fingering is that the book teaches you to keep the right-hand fingers on for the throat notes - from the very beginning - so that the clarion notes afterwards are much easier. Other tutor books teach you 'no hands' throat G and then suggest that after about grade 5 you re-learn the fingerings with the right-hand fingers down.

Also the book covers exercises in the whole range, from the start, rather than insisting you learn the chalumeau notes first and progress upwards. As a result, I haven't had issues with the altissimo register!

You are a far more advanced player than I, Dawn, so I wouldn't have thought there was much in the book that you won't have covered already. The Technique Doctors and the First Aid Doctor are very handy, though.

Hope this is useful
j (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

Thanks. My teacher taught me lower hand on from fairly early so I never had that issue. He just applied it to the pieces I was doing. I did learn low notes first though and the others later. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)