Piccolo

The piccolo is the smallest member of the flute family.

It is pitched an octave higher than the C flute and the fingerings are the same as the C flute.

Although piccolos are made of metal just as the other flutes are, the most sought after instruments are made from wood, especially Grenadilla wood, the same wood clarinets and oboes are constructed from.

The reason for this is the deeper and richer tone quality provided by the wood.

Piccolos are a combination of materials--silver or silver-plated head joint with a wooden body. The silver head can be easier to position the embouchure hole.

Flutists often switch to the piccolo in marching band. Actually, I've always felt that it is completely ridiculous to have flutes on the marching band field, except that flutists fill spots in the drill design. We can't compete with the amount of sound that the brass section is able to produce, unless we are playing the piccolo.

Aside from sound, it is extremely difficult to have good form when playing the flute in the marching band. The flute must be held parallel to the ground at all times in order for the entire section to look uniform. And there is always at least one droopy flutist.

Having the flutists play piccolo alleviates this problem. It is much easier to hold up a piccolo and the sound is much greater.

Of course, the piccolo is an important member of the concert band and orchestra. Usually you will see one of better members of the section, if not the first chair player, on the piccolo. Because of its ability to be heard above the entire ensemble, the piccolo is almost always playing a solo.

In short, the piccolo is not for the faint of heart. You are always "on" and this wily little instrument can be quite difficult to control pitch-wise.

I really enjoyed playing the piccolo. I played it quite a lot in my college orchestra. Many flutists would rather not have to deal with it--it can be scary!

In addition, the embouchure hole is much smaller and you will feel your facial muscles getting tired sooner.

For high notes in general, a firm, but not tight, embouchure is important, as well as a fast air stream. Aim the air stream a little higher, covering less of the embouchure hole.

Another important aspect of piccolo playing is that the high-pitched sound can damage your hearing over time. Piccolo players frequently play with ear plugs to protect their hearing.

Trevor Wye has an excellent method book devoted totally to the piccolo...

Practice Book For The Piccolo By Trevor Wye ; Patricia Morris. For Piccolo. Sheet Music. 212 pages. Published by Novello & Co Ltd. (NOV120658) See more info...

The Vivaldi Concerti are the hallmarks of the piccolo repertoire. Here is a lovely performance of the last movement of the C Major concerto, performed by Ayla Emanet. The visual focus isn't good, but the playing is so well done. The tone is sweet and the intonation excellent.

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