Pre-Multiphonic Training

I sometimes get asked questions about fingerings I use to play multi-phonics on the soprano. Using the correct fingerings is only a part of the process. It’s a combination of breath support, cross fingerings, and oral cavity manipulation.

The exercise below is from an excellent book by Ronald L. Caravan, Extended Techniques & Etudes in Contemporary Saxophone; it sets the stage for playing multi-phonics as well as microtonal fingerings. The exercise itself doesn’t sound very good, but it’s a great way to gain the control you'll need to play multi-phonics and other extended techniques.