Is Altissimo Overrated?

Altissimo: Underrated by Many

At the most recent NAMM show, I had the chance to ask a lot of great saxophonists their opinions on whether altissimo is overrated or underrated. Not surprisingly, the results were mixed.

Several saxophonists, including Mindi Abair, Tivon Penicott, and Najee, believe the altissimo range of the saxophone is underrated. Mindi brought up the impressive use of altissimo by artists like Gerald Albright, while Tivon and Najee put more emphasis on its creative potential.

Najee also referenced how influential players like Michael Brecker and David Sanborn pushed the boundaries of the altissimo range, paving the way for today’s players. For all three, altissimo is seen as a valuable, albeit under-appreciated, aspect of the instrument’s capabilities.

Overrated in Certain Contexts

On the other hand, players like Alex Hahn, Andrey Chmut, and Mike Phillips argued that altissimo is overrated. Alex stresses that beauty in the saxophone’s standard range is more important than showcasing extreme notes, which he considers more of a showy technique than a musical necessity.

Andrey agreed, admitting that while he appreciates altissimo in specific contexts—like in the playing of David Sanborn—he doesn’t enjoy it when overused. Mike Phillips points out that melodies should not rely on reaching high altissimo notes. The melody itself is the most important part and doesn’t necessarily need to include things like altissimo.

For Michael Ghegan, altissimo is underrated when used at the right time, in the right song, in the right genre, but is overrated in any other circumstance.

A Balanced Perspective

Jason Arce, Marcus Miller, and Grace Kelly offered more balanced views on this subject. Jason suggested that while altissimo is underutilized and valuable for certain musical moments, it’s not essential for every gig or performance, so it is neither overrated or underrate, but “properly rated.”

Marcus Miller, who is a master of the altissimo range, views it as underrated, acknowledging its significance when used appropriately.

Grace Kelly’s opinion was a bit more complex. She mentions that specific notes in the altissimo range, like G to A, are underrated, but the notes above A can be overhyped.

Ultimately, the opinions about altissimo ranged varied from person to person, so it was very interesting to hear the different perspectives. Be sure to check out the full video above to hear from everyone!