3rd octave F#

[Person056]

i play alto sax in a high school concert band and theres some songs that require use of the highest F#. problem is, i use a Selmer Bundy sax which doesnt have a button for that extra half step.

for now i play the phrases down an octave but id like to know if i still can hit the note without the key for it. is there some alternate fingering? if not, can i get the key modded onto my sax?

[Mal 2]

i play alto sax in a high school concert band and theres some songs that require use of the highest F#. problem is, i use a Selmer Bundy sax which doesnt have a button for that extra half step.

for now i play the phrases down an octave but id like to know if i still can hit the note without the key for it. is there some alternate fingering? if not, can i get the key modded onto my sax?

Do you know how to play high F with the front F key (see the very last fingering on this chart)? You'll need to do that first, then add your side Bb key. I am assuming you are not proficient in altissimo or you would not be asking the question. If you WERE proficient in altissimo, you could also get F# using a fingering of XOXXOO -- but otherwise, that fingering is just going to go "fnark".

[Person056]

Do you know how to play high F with the front F key (see the very last fingering on this chart)? You'll need to do that first, then add your side Bb key. I am assuming you are not proficient in altissimo or you would not be asking the question. If you WERE proficient in altissimo, you could also get F# using a fingering of XOXXOO -- but otherwise, that fingering is just going to go "fnark".

no, im not all that great. ive been playing for 4 months but i am progressing swiftly.

i can hit the F just fine but when i go for the side key it just sounds like someone stepped on an asthmatic cat's tail... but i assume thats just my inexperience, right?

[saxpiece]

Yes, if you can play top F using the Front F key (Front F o x o | o o o) (x = closed key, o = open key and Front F means close the left hand top key or the topmost key on the sax),

then when you press the Bb side key for F# you need to have a fast and focused sort of airstream which is mainly done by arching the back of your tongue a bit.

Just keep practicing this and eventually it will come together just like anything practice makes perfect.

It's a hang sort of thing, once you get the hang of it then it's easy, like riding a bike really.

Some people will advise doing months of low note overtone exercises and you can also do these if you want to but nothing prevents someone from just having a go at a Altissimo F# and depending on the player it can be mastered pretty well in a couple of weeks.

[pneumasax]

i play alto sax in a high school concert band and theres some songs that require use of the highest F#. problem is, i use a Selmer Bundy sax which doesnt have a button for that extra half step.

for now i play the phrases down an octave but id like to know if i still can hit the note without the key for it. is there some alternate fingering? if not, can i get the key modded onto my sax?

Do you know how to play high F with the front F key (see the very last fingering on this chart)? You'll need to do that first, then add your side Bb key. I am assuming you are not proficient in altissimo or you would not be asking the question. If you WERE proficient in altissimo, you could also get F# using a fingering of XOXXOO -- but otherwise, that fingering is just going to go "fnark".

If needed add the G# key. Sometimes that will help the note "speak" better depending on the horn, etc.

[harmonizerNJ]

If needed add the G# key. Sometimes that will help the note "speak" better depending on the horn, etc.

I second the adding of the G# key, especially on the alto sax.

Also, in addition to playing F3 by using the "front-F" key fingering suggested above, I suggest you practice this for E3 as well - add the closing of the "G" key with your left hand ring finger, to the fingering described above for F3.

Bigger question:
What kind of concert band is asking someone who has played the sax for 4 months to play a 3rd octave F# (F#3)? This seems out of place to me.

[Person056]

Bigger question:
What kind of concert band is asking someone who has played the sax for 4 months to play a 3rd octave F# (F#3)? This seems out of place to me.

my high school's music program is that prestigious i suppose you could say.

but keep in mind, ive been in the program for 6 years and sax is my 4th instrument. i picked it up pretty fast.

its also kinda scary that im better than another saxophonist in the line thats been playing for 3 years. she cant even hit 3rd octave D

[Pete Thomas]

Bigger question:
What kind of concert band is asking someone who has played the sax for 4 months to play a 3rd octave F# (F#3)? This seems out of place to me.

my high school's music program is that prestigious i suppose you could say.

The prestigiousity is not really relevant, most good arrangers that I know would not use an altissimo note as part of a written arrangement. Like harmonizerNJ, I also feel it's out of place in a concert band.

Maybe in a solo part when the arranger knows the soloist is capable.

[Person056]

btw thank you so much for the advice everyone!

i almost got it now so by the end of the day i know ill have it down right.

[Person056]

The prestigiousity is not really relevant, most good arrangers that I know would not use an altissimo note as part of a written arrangement. Like harmonizerNJ, I also feel it's out of place in a concert band.

Maybe in a solo part when the arranger knows the soloist is capable.

maybe the arranger was bad maybe my band director expects too much but both are irrelevant to the note's presence in the selection. but regardless, its making me learn to play altissimo register. thats an accomplishment thats only gonna make me better.