Learning the altissimo register of the saxophone

Emma Jones

Name: Emma Jones Main Subject: Classical Saxophone Research Supervisor: Pete Saunders Research Title: Learning the altissimo register of the saxophone. Research Questions: What are the different approaches to teaching the saxophones altissimo register? Can a combination of these approaches lead to a confident and comfortable use of this register? Summary: This paper looks at how the altissimo register is taught by a number of performing saxophonists and teachers and how advice from lots of different voices can lead to the moment of understanding with the altissimo register. Several method books exist to help access the register but there are few resources for the initial stages of its performance. A collection of short studies based on selected standard repertoire have been composed as a resource for students who are approaching works that demand the use of the altissimo register. A recording of the study and the excerpt of the original material accompanies a small pedagogical text to help the reader towards success. Biography: Emma Jones is a British classical saxophonist. She graduated from the Birmingham Conservatoire with a 1st class honours in 2015 studying under Naomi Sullivan and is in her final year at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. She aspires to perform regularly as an orchestral saxophonist and makes up half of the Element Duo who released their debut album in 2015.

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Recordings

As proof of my developement with the register, I have recorded extracts or the whole of each study. The intention is for this to be used as an aural reference alongside the study book, however as these recording are of my own playing they should be considered a work in progress. Excerpts are stated as whole recordings or accompanied by their corresponding bar numbers. Click on the sound button next to the name of the piece to hear my recording of the study.

Dahl Concerto : Concerto (complete study recorded)

David Maslanka : Sonata

Starting from the beginning until the end of bar 6

Bar 23 until the end.

Lars-Erik Larsson : Concerto

Starting from bar 8

Piet Swerts - Klonos

Bar 14 until the end.

Robert Muczynski : Sonata (complete study recorded)

Takashi Yoshimatsu – Fuzzy Bird

Bar 1 - 7

Bar 13 - 16

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