Have you gotten to third space "high" C on the clarinet and felt like you knew the range? If so, you are mistaken because there is a third set of notes which are a new difficult challenge to master. The altissimo register goes two octaves higher than the high C.
Steps
- Understand that these notes are pitched squeaks and probably won't be the most relaxing sounds to your ears for a while. As you get used to the fingerings and air intensity, you can shape the sound to create a warmer tone.
- Finger a top space E. Then lift your top finger. This will be your first altissimo note. Meet C#!
- Finger a top line F. Now, do the same thing for this note, except for intonation reasons put your pinky on the key used in low G#. This is D.
- Follow this pattern until you get to the high F#. Now, only cover the middle hole on the upper joint, the two bottom holes on the lower joint, and keep the pinky key down. This is high G, exactly one octave above the top of the staff.
- Finger the D you learned earlier. Now you will perform an overtone. Try blowing into the clarinet harder and aim for getting a half step higher than G, G#/Ab. This note can also be done by playing G from the previous step and lifting the 3rd finger on the lower joint, so only the 2nd hole on both the upper and lower joint, and the upper left pinky key as normal are being covered.
- Finger the E you learned earlier. Now perform an overtone on this for an A. This note can also be played by pressing the 2nd and 3rd holes on the upper joint, like playing the high E, but instead of using the upper left pinky key, use the lower left pinky key, the same one used for 3rd space/middle register C#. This is more of a standard fingering that could be called an overtone, but the C# key makes it much more of a defined A.
- Press the register key down without the thumb down. Press the key used for the G# on the staff. Finger the rest like the high F you played earlier. Now aim to play the overtone and get A#.
- Cover the top two holes on the upper joint with the thumb and register key down. Cover the top two holes on the bottom joint and make sure you haven't forgotten the pinky key for any of the altissimo notes(excluding C#). Now try to make the pitched squeak on this note and if you can get it out, you have accomplished playing a B over an octave from the staff.
- Cover the top hole on the upper and lower joints, keep the thumb and register key down, and keep the pinky key down. This is high C, on top of the 5th ledger line over the staff! This is an accomplishment!
- Notes above this can be produced using overtones. It is advisable to use the altissimo fingerings you just learned, because then you don't need to try as hard to get the right note, you're in the range already.
- Remember that playing above a high A is largely a matter of overtones and not so much an exercise in fingering. The best way to prepare yourself for this is to play the mouthpiece. To do this, take the clarinet mouthpiece and using only changes in your throat play different notes. You should (with practice) be able to play an entire octave on the mouthpiece alone.
Tips
- Opening your throat (like you are saying aww) will help darken the tone of these bright notes.
- Notes this high have a lot of alternative fingerings - some fingerings work better depending on the player and the clarinet. Private teachers will be able to teach you fingerings that are easier to jump to in a particular piece.
- Pull your chin DOWN like crazy! Pulling off the reed allows it to vibrate more freely which is necessary especially in the altissimo register. This is opposite of what our embouchure and psyche want to do, so be ready to work!
- Ask private teachers and band directors for help. This is something that is accomplished faster if someone can give the right suggestions at the right time.
- Many of these notes may be out of tune at first. Many of the fingerings are known to be particularly sharp or flat. This allows you to use different fingerings at different dynamic levels and in different technical applications.
- Master each note before moving onto the next. Each note just gets harder.
- Use MAXIMUM air pressure and air support for these notes (which you should ALWAYS do for EVERY note in every register!!!)
- To help play these notes, you need to put a lot of air though your clarinet, tighten the corners of your lips, and do not bite the mouthpiece.
- You can also play a low note like a low g and add a register key.
Warnings
- Harder reeds will help to a certain degree, but don't assume anything. Also, the brand of reed affects this too. See your private teacher, never a band teacher (unless he/she is a clarinet player), for the best types and strengths of reeds for you. Remember, everyone is different.
- Don't give up! These are the hardest notes on the clarinet!
- Reeds only work well if they mesh well with your mouthpiece.
Things You'll Need
- Good lung capacity
- At least two years of experience or less if you are dedicated
- Medium-hard reeds
- Possibly private lessons
- Patience and practice
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