A modern saxophone goes from low B flat to high F sharp, but it's possible to play way

beyond that by entering what's known as the Altissimo Register.

Altissimo exists on most woodwinds and uses isolated overtones to increase the instruments

range by one or even two octaves.

Welcome to Strong Songs, a podcast about music.

I'm your host, Kirk Hamilton, and I'm so glad that you joined me to talk about music

played down in the pinky keys, music played on the palm keys, and sometimes music that's

played entirely in Altissimo.

Thank you all so much for listening to this show.

Strong Songs is entirely listener-supported, and that can mean financial support via PayPal

or Patreon, but can also just mean spreading the word about this show.

I don't have a marketing department this show totally spreads by word of mouth, and I

really appreciate everyone who tells a friend about it.

On this episode, it's solo time.

We're going to be talking about some of my favorite instrumental solos, why I think

they're great, and what they may have in common.

It's an episode I've been wanting to make forever, and I'm excited that I finally get

to do it.

So, let's push back our chair, adjust our solo mic, and blow this thing.

There is perhaps no more venerated sort of musical performance than the instrumental solo

that moment when the lights come down, and I remember the band steps forward using only

their instrument and takes the reins, leading the band to a new place.

...