what is difference between a flute and a piccolo....?

[legolas]

Hi
thank you for reading my post
What are differences between the voice of a piccolo ad a flute?
which one is easier to learn?
which one has a softer voice and tone.?

with a fixed budget, which one we should buy to have a better instrument?

thanks

[squints]

Well lets see.

Flute is easier.
Piccilo has a higher pitch.
Flute tend to be cheaper.

Most people start on flute because it's easer to learn and later the move up to piccilo because of instrumentataion in the band.

[fluteguy18]

Hi
thank you for reading my post
What are differences between the voice of a piccolo ad a flute?
which one is easier to learn?
which one has a softer voice and tone.?

with a fixed budget, which one we should buy to have a better instrument?

thanks

The difference between the flute and piccolo [in voice qualities] are that the piccolo plays one octave higher than the Concert flute. So, the piccolo tends to be more shrill and a concert flute tends to be more mellow. However, both can be shrill or mellow, it just depends on the music that one is playing. So, basically a piccolo plays one octave higher than a flute.

In relation to easier to learn, I would start off with flute if I were you. Most things are easier to learn on the flute [fundamentals] and they translate over to the piccolo. While both take a lot of work to learn well, I believe that the piccolo takes a more careful ear to play in tune [because the notes are so high pitched] than a flute does.

Of the two instruments, the flute has a softer voice [it isnt as shrill, and the sound doesnt pierce through an ensemble the way a piccolo does], and a more fluid tone [if played well].

I would make the purchase in favor of a flute. They are more available, and the prices for a beginner instrument are typically lower [at least in my area they are cheaper, but this varies by region] than that of a piccolo. Also, I would choose the flute first because it is easier to learn on, then to later move over to piccolo. This is because the fundamentals are easier to form on a flute [because it is bigger]. So, basics of forming the emouchure is easier to start forming on a larger hole to blow into, the keys are larger, and overall I find it better to start students off on flute. Also, when moving into a professional arena, if you a piccolo player, you are also expected to play the flute [ and most of the time: vice versa ]

So, I would look into finding a flute. If you budget is limited, look for a used flute that is in good condition. I would avoid ebay unless you are completely sure that you know what you are buying [ which is still a gamble]. Avoid imports because they typically arent made to a high enough standard.

Here are some brands that you can look for in the student level instrument arena.

Gemeinhardt
Armstrong,
Artley
Selmer
Pearl (this company makes a few student models, but I am not sure of the price0)

And there are several others, I just cant think of any at this time.

Hope that this helps!

[legolas]

Hi
thank you very much.
sure it helps.
I looked ath those producers and i find some items that i can think about buy them

http://www.gemeinhardt.com/products/piccolos4P.html

http://www.gemeinhardt.com/products/flutes2NP.html

What do you think about them?

can they produce soft voices like:
http://www.ringflute.com/hearit.html

Thanks

[fluteguy18]

The flute would, but as I said before, I would start with the flute first, then progress to the piccolo. I also wrote a response to another of your posts regarding simple system flutes which might be a better flute for your specific wants and needs. Also, dont be afraid to look at different brands. I have personally found Gemeinhardt flutes good for the beginner, but the headjoint slightly less than desirable. If you go to selmer-conn.com [or .net or something like that] you can find the Armstrong company. I personally recommend Armstrong over Gemeinhardt because of their headjoints [ I find Armstrong headjoints to be more even in response and in tone than Gemeinhardt], but others might have a different opinion.

To each his/her own.

So, dont be afraid to look around at different companies, and different kinds of flutes. Dont just look for the first one available, because it might not be the best deal. But, as long as you stick to recognizable brands [with the concert flute] like Gemeinhardt and Artley, and Armstrong etc.... you will be fine as long as it is in good working order.

[legolas]

Hi
Thank you for your help.
I followed your advice about Simple system flute (yes now i understand what does it means) and i find some flute makers which produce simple keyless! flutes.
can you please take a look at them and tell me which one has a mellower voice?

first one is
http://www.billymiller.net/ which create Bamboo flutes, i contact him and im waiting for his response.

the second one is:
http://www.tonydixonmusic.co.uk/catalog ... nshop.html
which produce metal and Complex plastic flutes.
from the second one i do not know which one i should look more closely.

If i go with a simple system flute, are there some books which i could learn flute by them? or some video based training materials?
I know music Theory. and i want to know how to play flute.
Thanks

[fluteguy18]

I am not sure which of the ones you have listed will have a mellower voice. probably the bamboo flute, but I am not sure. I am not an expert in simple system flutes. There are books and video based learning systems available, and most makers of these kinds of flutes can put you in the right direction.

I wish I knew more, but I dont. You can continue to ask around, and perhaps someone else on this board has more information. My best advice right now, is to do extensive research into this area by contacting flute makers. I wish you luck. I wish I could help you out more, but I dont know very much about simple system flutes and their playing qualities beyond what I have already told you.

Sorry that I cant be of more help! Good luck finding the flute of your dreams!

[cflutist]

There is a forum whose main focus is "simple" and/or Irish wooden flutes. They can be found at:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/index.php

I went there to get information before buying my Casey Burns 6 hole keyless flute.

[Natalie]

A few more pictures of concert flute and piccolo:

http://www.hansjoo.com/image/music/flute.gif

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Range_flute.png

http://www.dsokids.com/art/instruments/ ... iccolo.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Range_piccolo.png

[Claiken]

flutes are cheaper, really? Piccs are smaller though, so wouldnt less material needed to make it mean less price?

[flutepicc06]

flutes are cheaper, really? Piccs are smaller though, so wouldnt less material needed to make it mean less price?

Actually, piccolos cost roughly the same, but don't get into the 20K+ range like flutes do. An intermediate picc would cost you anywhere from 1-3K depending on what you're buying, just as an intermediate flute would, a pro picc from 3 to in excess of 5K, as a pro flute would. Take into consideration, however that a smaller instrument means it's more difficult to work on, which increases workmanship costs, and many piccs are made of expensive woods, which even in small quantities can drive the price way up.

[fluteguy18]

flutes are cheaper, really? Piccs are smaller though, so wouldnt less material needed to make it mean less price?

Actually, piccolos cost roughly the same, but don't get into the 20K+ range like flutes do. An intermediate picc would cost you anywhere from 1-3K depending on what you're buying, just as an intermediate flute would, a pro picc from 3 to in excess of 5K, as a pro flute would. Take into consideration, however that a smaller instrument means it's more difficult to work on, which increases workmanship costs, and many piccs are made of expensive woods, which even in small quantities can drive the price way up.

But, in relation to price per inch/ pound, flutes are cheaper [not that it really matters...they cost what they cost....]