Bret Pimentel, woodwinds

Tag: altissimo

Woodwinds and “altissimo” registers

Nov 8, 2016

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in Woodwind playing and pedagogy

for Bassoon, Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Saxophone

I recently had a saxophone student perform a repertoire piece with some altissimo technique in it, and a non-woodwind-playing musician asked me afterward about the instrument’s extended range. This led to further questions about “altissimo” on other instruments. The answers are a little complicated, but here is some information: The term “altissimo” suggests an extreme high …
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Saxophone altissimo books: Raschèr vs. Rousseau

Nov 19, 2013

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in Product reviews

for Saxophone

My university saxophone students are anxious to tackle the altissimo register, and it’s not at all uncommon for them to show up to their first lessons clutching the Sigurd Raschèr Top-Tones for the Saxophone book and wearing a hopeful expression. I also see the Raschèr book frequently and glibly recommended on online forums. With the greatest respect …
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