As the subject implies, I am looking for help with altissimo. I`ve been trying for years to reach that stupid altissimo range and I just can`t hit anything. I`ve researched the topic and I`ve met with a bunch of different pro sax players, but nothing seems to help. Can anyone help me out here?

first what sax do you have name and type(alto tenor?) The biggest tip i can say is you need to have a supportive embouchure, and a controlled airstream. However the trick is getting your tongue in the right position because what ur trying to do is reduce the size of the air passage- try saying: who, hee or hay and have a steady air passage

o ya -it will work better if u use a stiffer reed. okay i hoped i helped good luck just practice though~you cant force it

I`m using a selmer series III alto. Now when you say "supportive" emboucher, what does that mean exactly. I know I`ve heard the term so many times (as well as "controlled airstream") but I really have no idea exactly what that means. I can do plenty of things that "feel" supportive, but they really are not. Is there an exercise that you know of that can accurately guage my emboucher/airstream? If not....how do I know if I an doing it right?

Thanks for the tips.

Series III huh? me too only on tenor~a great instrument love altissiomo on this one. ok a supportive emboucher,means to have a postion of ur jaw, jaw muscle, chin ect... in a stable positon- not moveing try (when with the sax) put ur lower jaw out as far as u can than bring it in a little an keep it steady (supportive). NOW 4 a controlled airstream- imagine blowing out a candel a hard steady stream of air, useing that kind of force. make sure ur mouth is closer and not as open like if u played a low low c and not too much lower lip either
an exercise that may help is if you put ur lower jaw in and ur top lip over it so there is like a centimeter gap and blow with a strong force than graduliy move ur lower lip forward so it lines up with the top one (but keep the gap the same), thats the steady air stream u`ll need!

ok see what that does 4 ya

Thanks so much! This is really gonna help me a lot!

idk if it`s just me or something, but i play high notes easier with lower lip really pulled back, my upper lip is almost more "out" than lower... idk why... what kind of reed is good for altissimo?

The trick i've been taught to learn altissimo is to play a low note, like the D on an alto, then lip up an octave. Move up chromaticly every time playing the low note then lip up an octave. This build strengh and is great for learning altissimo.

That would be overtones. You should go more than just the octave though.