MY PICCOLO IS BEING ANNOYING

jazzema · Post by **jazzema** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 11:36 pm

So i've been playing my piccolo a lot now in both the bands I'm in and it was playing fine until a couple of weeks ago. Now its cracking, and can't reach some notes without splitting down to the lower one. Then sometimes if I adjust things, i can play those notes, but then I can't play others. Its very complicated and very annoying. Im not sure what I should do.. does it sound like it has a crack and needs to be fixed? Also my lips been kind of messed up lately cause i've been sick does that affect it?
anyways I have a Burkart and Phelen Global piccolo- grenadilla wood
any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
peace

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:53 am

I would have it looked at by a tech as soon as possible. It may have a crack, or simply need some adjusting. It could be you, but not likely if you have been playing for a while with no problems.

Zevang · Post by **Zevang** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 9:46 am

Jazzema, something occurred to me like this sometime ago. I was slowly loosing body water because I was not drinking it properly during the day. I was just forgeting to do that. I live in a very dry region, sometimes seems like a desert, and this affected directly my lips and consequently my embouchure and after that my sound...
Since you were sick, it's good for you to gradually rehydrate, and see what happens then.

That doesn't mean fluttiegurl wasn't right concerning the need for a check in your instrument. This is always good anyway

Zevang

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:09 pm

Very good point.

Meredith · Post by **Meredith** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:53 pm

If the problem with your lips is dry skin, I'd suggest a lip balm containing Vitamin E.

I knew a girl in high school who sun-burned her lips a day or two before a state-wide qualifier for All State, used Vitamin E (I'm going to assume topically), and totally kicked butt at the competition a few days later.

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:55 pm

Shameless, uncompensated plug for ChopSaver. try it, it's awesome!

Meredith · Post by **Meredith** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:58 pm

What's ChopSaver?

(someone had to do it...)

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:08 pm

It's this great, non-irritating, fabu lip goop, invented by a Cincinnati Symphony trumpet player, that we can't keep in stock anymore at work. One of our employees, WV Symphony principal trombonist, found this stuff on a trombone weblist, became intrigued, ordered some, and now all his wind-playing friends and collegues are addicted. Here's the link:

http://www.chopsaver.com/

Meredith · Post by **Meredith** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:49 pm

... thanks!