• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Website of Steve Neff

  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • MEMBER’S AREA
    • JOIN
    • FAQ
    • MEMBER LOGIN
    • Member Monthly Lessons
    • Member VIP Area
    • Member-Practicing with Neff
    • Member-Brecker Alternate Fingering Lessons
    • Member-Killin’ Altissimo Lick Lessons
    • Member-Monster Lick of the Day
  • RAVES
  • CONTACT
You are here: Home / Sax Lessons / Sax Altissimo / The Secret to Altissimo (no one has ever told you about before) Lesson

The Secret to Altissimo (no one has ever told you about before) Lesson

Rated 4.75 out of 5 based on 8 customer ratings
(8 customer reviews)

$9.99

Category: Sax Altissimo Tags: altissimo, education, jazz sax, saxophone, secret, video lesson
  • Description
  • Reviews (8)

Description

I know, you are sick of it!  Trying to play overtones past the second or third overtone.  Trying to get out an altissmo G or G#.   Trying to sound like you know what you are doing and can play any altissimo note with confidence without failing miserably………I have been there and know how you feel.   You need a breakthrough and here it is………

In this lesson, I introduce you to a revelation I have had over the last few months while teaching the altissimo register of the saxophone to students.  This is a lesson on a technique I use to reach the altissimo notes and gain better facility up in that range.

Many saxophone teachers talk about “voicing” your notes (which can be a bit vague to a student) but in my 40 years of playing the sax I have never heard the approach I teach in this lesson taught.  I recently taught this material to a sax student over Skype who was frustrated that he couldn’t produce certain altissimo notes and within the half hour lesson he was popping out altissimo G#’s with this method.

Although I have been using this technique since my college days,  I never realized what I was actually doing nor how to describe it to students until recently.  It was an eye opener when I realized what I was doing and how to describe it.  I hope this approach to altissimo is a game changer for those of you who have been stuck and frustrated with trying to produce the altissimo notes on the saxophone up until now.  I really believe this lesson will help.

This lesson is just for saxophone players. I demonstrate the material on the tenor saxophone and give you detailed descriptions and examples in this 35 minute video lesson. (35 Minute Video Lesson)

8 reviews for The Secret to Altissimo (no one has ever told you about before) Lesson

  1. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Jakub Martin – October 6, 2017

    Hi Steve! Just wanted to let you know, I purchased and watched that altissimo lesson, and it was very helpful. I had previously been able to hit altissimo up to D above altissimo G, but it was inconsistent and I was pinching a lot. Since I reconceptualized my approach, my altissimo has been cleaner and more consistent than before. It’s obviously still a work in progress, but I wanted to thank you for this lesson!

  2. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Mario Lafrésière (verified owner) – October 16, 2017

    Hi Steve. It has taken me hours to get an Altissimo” G “on my MK VI with Navarro Bop Boy 7* and Hinoki med soft reed . Difficult set up for altissimo register (soft set up). This means that no pressure at all due to the softness of the reed. (I have to play soft reeds due to a jaw problem that lasted nearly 4 years) So when I saw your course on Altissimo I was tempted. I watched the video and could not wait to try and the result was amazing I hit the G first time with the sound as big as my E, F F# with fork key…. thanks for that concept Steve…even the G# and A were as big…..will continue to work on that register

  3. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Mark Peotter – October 16, 2017

    Hello Steve,
    Thank you so much for the “secret” lesson on altissimo!
    Surprisingly, I HAVE already heard about this technique, but from a TRUMPET Teacher!
    What you are doing is the same thing he was/is doing to get his trumpet notes higher. Basically, it is the concept of air speed. Faster air speed, higher notes.
    However – – I was unable to successfully employ the technique for myself. What I do for altissimo is to use a high baffle, and I have been putting the back of my tongue toward the rear and higher, as if thinking of “cooling down my soup with cool air”. I can get all the notes up to D, and then I squeeze the reed to get up up to double F#.
    Without a high baffle in the mouthpiece, I have not been able to get above G#.
    After your video, I tried your technique, of course!
    I used my Meyer mouthpiece without a baffle, and I was able to get one more harmonic from the fundamental (low) Bb. Hoooray! A few minutes later I was hitting high A, but not consistently.
    I need to give it more time and practice to find the right air speed, but now I am excited to see what I can accomplish!
    Thank you, Mark Peotter

  4. Avatar
    Rated 3 out of 5

    Noah – October 21, 2017

    This is a good lesson; it doesn’t cover all the altissimo techniques, but is a variation on the Joe Allard “exxx” and hiss approach.

    • Steve

      Steve (verified owner) – October 27, 2017

      Thanks Noah. The fingerings I used are covered more specifically in:
      Alto Sax http://www.neffmusic.com/blog/product/altissimo-lesson-alto-sax/
      Tenor Sax http://www.neffmusic.com/blog/product/altissimo-lesson/

      The fingerings are dependent on your saxophone so adjustments might have to be made to find the best fingerings for your saxophone. I talk about this in the lessons. Steve

  5. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    philipe – October 21, 2017

    it worked right off the bat, i already knew the high g, but with another fingering, this is a useful single key g, it aids in bringing down the notes too, less hesitant–

  6. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Johnny Hedlund-Sweden (verified owner) – November 7, 2017

    This was a great help for me explaining the altissimo playing for my students, also for the classical alto. For me it opened up a wider understanding what happens with different wovels impact in tone production. Thanks a lot!

  7. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Doug – July 28, 2018

    I finally broke into the altissimo register after reviewing your
    video like 50 times! lol This was really really helpful!! Doug

  8. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Barry – November 23, 2020

    Steve, I have enjoyed your transcriptions and lessons over the last few years. I’m 63 and been playing 45 or so years. I have always had trouble with altissimo G…until today. I bought this Altissimo lesson and the G popped right out. Amazing!!!!!! Thank you! The absolute best $9.99 I ever spent!-Barry

Add a review Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related products

  • Practicing Tips-Slow it Down Lesson

    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
    Add to cart
  • Overtone Scale Exercise Lesson

    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
    Add to cart
  • Long Tones Lesson 1

    $9.99
    Add to cart
  • Pentatonics-Lesson 1

    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
    Add to cart

Primary Sidebar

Cart

Search Products

COMPLETE LESSON INDEX

PRINTED BOOKS


NEFFMUSIC PRINTED BOOKS

Testimonials

Hello Steve, I’m getting so much out of your lessons and books, amazing how much one may think one knows, there is always a new frontier or new way to view something you think you had somewhat down. You have taken it all to a new level and am so grateful. Your lessons are so down to earth and understandable and clear!  Thanks so much Steve! Cheers, Eddie

Eddie Parente

Mr. Neff,  I want to thank you for sharing your God-given talents through your on-line lessons.  My husband, Michael, is blind, but he is a great sax player and he has been enjoying your lessons for quite some time now.  It’s not unusual for me to hear “Hey, babe, listen to THIS!” – and he will cut loose on his sax, just thrilled at what he learned during his session with you.  His excitement warms my heart!  You have no idea how much you have poured into my husband.  You have opened musical … Read more

Carole B
I’m an experienced player in the pop/soul/funk areas of music and, previously, classical.  Over the decades I’ve been playing, I’ve always felt that I could do what I needed in those styles of music.  However, recently I began to feel limited by my use of the same old licks. When I discovered Steve Neff’s website, and heard the audio examples based on the exercises in his books, I realized they were what I needed.  I purchased all of them and have been working on them since.  It’s very hard work… Read more
Paul
I want to let you know that your instructional material is transforming my playing.  It is an immense pleasure to learn and play now, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am. The instructional material I got from you is by far the best of any I own (and I have over 100 books, DVDs, and what not). I literally can’t thank you enough! Deric
Deric
Thanks so much for putting all this great learning material out there. I don’t often have the time to take a lesson with a teacher, so the ability to download lessons is really invaluable. My playing has improved enormously (I think :)) – and the lessons are so varied there’s always something to be inspired by. Incredible value too!
Roger

Your material is great! I got your New Altissimo Lesson 6 months ago and I have learned more from that than in all my 44 years of playing! I appreciate your down to earth teaching method and I really appreciate the heart that you teach with. I have been a subscriber to your lessons for the past 6 months and I have learned a great deal. Over that period of time I have had some questions and you have never failed to respond. Thanks! I have already recommended your lessons to a number of players in… Read more

Michael Byington
I am a music book junkie and I have to say that your books are the most clear, user friendly, and helpful books I own.  They are my absolute favorites and I only wish I had them years ago.  I wouldn’t change a thing about the experience I had in acquiring my degree at Berklee, but my playing has perhaps grown more in the time I’ve spent buried in your books and lessons.  Keep up the great work!!! Thanks, John
John
Just wanted to send you a quick note to say thank you for being you, your playing, your website and your desire to help others. I’m a professional musician in the US Army and I’ve visited your website almost every day since discovering it a couple of months ago. Your lessons are profound and easy to use. I’ve purchased most of your PDF books and now am starting to delve more into the video and audio lessons.  Thank you for being a great resource!
James
Just a brief note to compliment you on your teaching skills and in particular for the honesty of your lessons.  I am a returning alto sax player in my 50’s and I was looking for a no nonsense, straight to the point kind of guidance. I had intended to email you with a few questions regarding the use of the bis key but then I noticed that there was a lesson on that specific topic and after viewing it,  all my questions were answered. I once took a group lesson with a well known professional sax … Read more
Patrick

Hello Steve,

I have not received my alto yet but have already gone through 14 lessons. I love your approach, style, knowledge and competence. I now regret so much to have stayed away from playing the sax for the past 45-50 years…(I am 65).  But It is never too late to get back to your first love. After 23 years in compuer sciences and 22 years in finances…I am now back to music for the rest of my life.

Doing some research on the net, I found this:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?1… Read more

Claude

Featured Lessons

  • The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor $9.99
  • Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson
    Rated 4.90 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Secret to Altissimo (no one has ever told you about before) Lesson
    Rated 4.75 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Lesson Series Deals-Save Big on Select Lessons

Product Categories

Recent Reviews

  • Mastering Altered Pentatonics (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Dino Govoni
  • Mastering the Bebop Scale Review-Blues in All Keys Lesson 1
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Steve Nye
  • Devastating Minor Lines for Jazz and Funk Soloing (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Mark White
  • Devastating Dominant Lines for Jazz and Funk Soloing (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Mark White

Top Rated Products

  • Straight No Chaser-Jazz Articulation Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Overtones-The Path to Altissimo Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Dorian Mode Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99

Footer

Recent Comments

  • Rory Leitch on Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Marc Vanden Eynden on Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Steve on Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Rory Leitch on Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Alan Klingaman on Phil-Tone Rift Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

Top rated products

  • Beginner Jazz Improvisation Lesson 8B-Tenor Sax
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Tune of the Week-Softly as a Morning Sunrise Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • One Bar Blues Licks and the 12 Bar Blues Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Round Midnight Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Sax Intonation Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99

Product tags

alto sax alto saxophone approach notes audio lesson bebop scale beginner beginner saxophone blues blues licks blues patterns blues scale blues scales diminished scale dominant chords ear training fundamentals II-V-I improvisation jazz improvisation jazz lines jazz patterns jazz sax jazz saxophone jazz standard jazz standards licks Mastering the Blues Scale Michael Brecker modern improv modern improvisation online lesson patterns playing outside practice habits reading music sax basics sax lessons saxophone scales smooth jazz steve neff tenor sax tenor saxophone video lesson video lessons
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • SUPPORT

Neffmusic © 2023