There was never the emphasis on altissimo as there is today.

What is a good method for gaining proficiency in the altissimo registers?

Because of my disability I am confined to slower music and do play a lot of worship music

(practices 2-3 days a week)

I used to be a professional player but sustained a hand injury. Lost Thumb and index finger on my right hand. I had a toe to hand transfer and have an easier time holding my horn but I can not hold it in a conventional manner.

In addition trying to control the f key is a challenge. I have re-engineered the f key with an extension so I can roll the topside of my middle finger to close the f key but it is awkward. My biggest problem is knowing what I used to be able to do and accepting the limitations I now have. .

I guess I should be thankful I can still play. I was injured when I was 37, I am now 70 I did not play for about 25 years and once again picked up a horn and found I still had it.

I worked on my embouchure and tone and have been playing and teaching but still get frustrated with my handicap, and inability to play in all keys and being restricted to slow an less demanding up tempo music. ( some keys present a problem).

I learned using the universal method and was a student of Bill Shiner who instructed Stan Getz

-Joe

My response:

Quite a story you have there! Sorry to hear about the injury, sounds like that does make things more difficult.

One of the first steps to getting altissimo is to work on the harmonic series and overtones.

You can check out this post to hear some examples

How to Get Started with Saxophone Overtones and Harmonics – Video Sax Lesson

When you can play four notes using the low Bb fingering, you’ll be on your way to being able to play altissimo.

To actually get into the altissimo, you’ll want to find a fingering chart. And basically, the fingerings for altissimo are not standard like the other notes. Certain fingerings will work on one horn, but not so well on another. Your mouthpiece and reed can also change how easy it is to get the altissimo to play.

So it will take some experimentation with fingerings. I highly recommend working on the overtones as well as experimenting with the fingerings. It will also take time and likely sound pretty ugly at first.

-Neal