Tweaking the Altissimo Register

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wkzh
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 3:45 am

Tweaking the Altissimo Register

Post by wkzh »

I'm having a strange problem: I can't get the altissimo F#. My embouchure is definitely strong enough, and I can even get that *hint* of altissimo G. Strangest thing is, I'm getting an F when I finger F#. (At least it's an in-tune F.)

I suspect it's because of my cork and headjoint position. I push my cork farther out and pull the head out by about 1cm to flatten my upper register (I play in a wind ensemble, not very pleasant having to lip down high notes.) Of course, the low range gets a tad flat (I'd like a shortened footjoint, if anybody builds.)

Fine, I don't suspect, I'm pretty darn sure of it.

So I'm wondering if anyone else has run into similar problems? It's a little sad when you want to hit that F# but know that it's been converted to an F... (I'd like a G though.)
The flute family: probing the lower limit of human hearing and the upper limit of human tolerance.

wkzh
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 3:45 am

Post by wkzh »

Oh and point of note, I used to be able to sqeak out an F#, so it really is the flute's fault.
The flute family: probing the lower limit of human hearing and the upper limit of human tolerance.

m3the01
Posts: 70
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:51 am

Post by m3the01 »

U should be able to whisper a high f#, soft as can be. However, i have seen people with problems with this note,

Practice, try going from high-e to f# directly.

wkzh
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 3:45 am

Post by wkzh »

Heehee I want the high F# for concerto purposes! So a whispertone will not do!
Anyway I have conducted many trials since I last posted, and I am sure that it's because I have my cork pushed further out than I did in the past, else if I push it in (significantly) I can play a high F# just as easy as any other altissimo notes.
And about going from E to F# directly, the fingering does not permit. (I hope we're both talking about the same octave? I'm talking about fourth octave, not the third. The third octave's a 'bad note' because of the poor acoustical conditions given for that particular resonance.)
It'd be nice if someone could invent a "variable stopper" so it's possible to tweak the position in a jiffy.
The flute family: probing the lower limit of human hearing and the upper limit of human tolerance.

m3the01
Posts: 70
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:51 am

Post by m3the01 »

No sorry my bad, most people dont consider that high F# usable. There are not many pieces, and zero i have played with that F#. I do practice to a forth octave F, but never F#, on scales that permit.

You are literally the only person i know who practices scales, and is playable past high F that i know. In all reality, a lot of my friends, phd flute-instructor included, wonder why i play that high even, ;-).

Congrats, u gave me a reason to play that high F#.

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