What does altissimo mean?
Altissimo is a musical term denoting the very highest register of an instrument's range, particularly on the saxophone, where it has become a celebrated specialty. Derived from the Italian superlative form meaning 'highest', it entered English through classical music terminology. Producing altissimo notes requires advanced technique: players use special fingerings and control of harmonic overtones to sound pitches well above the instrument's conventional range. The term carries connotations of virtuosity and daring, since altissimo playing is difficult and often dramatic — a soaring, sometimes piercing quality that can electrify a performance. Beyond describing a register, altissimo can also appear as a performance direction instructing a musician to play very high. It remains chiefly a specialist term known to musicians and serious listeners rather than the general public.
nounThe highest register or range of an instrument, especially the saxophone; also used as a direction in music indicating that a passage is to be played very high.
- The highest register of an instrument, especially the saxophone, produced using special fingerings and overtones.
- A musical direction or indication to play in a very high register.
"The saxophonist's altissimo notes soared above the rest of the ensemble."
"Her solo climbed into the altissimo register, drawing gasps from the audience."
"The composer marked the passage altissimo, pushing the clarinetist to the top of the instrument's range."
Saxophonists spend years mastering 'altissimo' — squeaky overtones most people would call mistakes become the instrument's most thrilling sound.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of altissimo
Altissimo comes from Italian, where it is the superlative of 'alto' ('high'), itself derived from Latin 'altus' meaning high or deep. The word entered English as part of the broader adoption of Italian musical terminology during the development of Western art music. Its cognates include other Italian superlatives used in music, such as 'prestissimo' and 'fortissimo'.
How altissimo is actually used
Primarily a technical term in music, especially associated with woodwind players (notably saxophonists) who extend their instruments' range beyond the normal fingering system using harmonic overtones. Borrowed directly from Italian musical terminology and treated as an invariant loanword in English.
Easily confused with altissimo
Alto refers to the middle-low vocal or instrumental range, while altissimo denotes the very highest register above the normal playing range.