CHAPTER 2 - Single Sounds

Chart of Alternate Altissimo Fingerings

The following chart (Table #5) of alternate fingerings contains only a few of the many choices for altissimo register pitches. No unusual techniques are called for, however, such as half-holes or depression of pad keys. Slight deviations in pitch may exist, but these are easily corrected by adjustments of embouchure and air pressure. These adjustments are no more extreme than those that one would make to play in tune with other performers; they merely require a sensitive "auditory image." Since different players play different equipment, the tuning will be slightly different for each individual. An aspect such as how far a particular pad comes away from a particular tone-hole can be very significant. In the same manner, pitches from the microtone charts may work as alternate fingerings; however, one runs the risk of timbre distortion as one becomes further and further from the pitch of the original fingering.

The annotations under each fingering are arranged according to the following format:

I - partial - partial of fundamental that fingering is based on / fundamental pitch (ie. 5th/C4)

[C4mod = modification of C4 fundamental]

II - intonation - tendency towards high or low

III- timbre - bright - dark (sl. or s. = slightly); thick - thin

IV - articulation - resist. = resistant - difficult to begin immediately;

sl.resist. = slightly resistant

hard attack = must begin abruptly

V - dynamics - ppp to fff (only indicated if limitations exist)

VI - preparation - a complex fingering - player must have time to prepare it -legato connection to it may not be possible

smth. = smooth connection from another pitch

isl. = isolated context only

n.isl.= do not isolate

VII- strengths - tr = use as a trill fingering

ps = use in diatonic scale passage

leg.= legato from clarion register

VIII- stability - when sustained or approached/left by legato

above the staves (fingering categories, according to vent used):

r = thumb hole + register key vents

t = overblown throat tones

A = A key vent

Ab = Ab key vent

Table #5

For information on how to see/hear more examples from Table 5, click here

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