Piccolo - Reality Check

[GerryG]

I need some reassurance again. I''ve been
playing piccolo for about 6 months, casually, teaching myself as a hobby. I''m
54 and learning flute. too. I can now play as high as A3 but that B3 and C4 are
disasters. Over the last couple months I have found it easier playing the high
E, F, G and A but trying the B and C I sound like I''m having a spitting
attack with no real sound. Can it really take this much time to get the hang of
those highest noteson piccolo? I can hit them pretty well now on the flute with
a decent sound. Thanks, Gerry G

[AG950Flute]

absolutely [:)] high B and C, are killers,
especially on piccolos. they can be difficult to single attack as well as just
trying to hit them while playing a scale. sometimes the piccolo will make a huge
difference as well, but keep working on them and they will come soon! for only
playing for 6 months, you're doing pretty well! you should be encouraged!! best
of luck

[damjan]

Gerry, I think you are doing really well.
Playing high notes both on,flute and piccolo is difficuly and requires practice.
One exercise that might help is to play long tones on note sup to A to build up
your lip muscles before attempting B and C. Also, make sure that your embochure
is relaxed. Another thing is the piccolo itself but that comes secondary at this
point. Just keep practicing, you are doing great!

[GerryG]

Courtney, Damjan, Thank you both for your
advice and encouragement. I'll try practicing long tones. I have noticed that
over time G3 and A3 have become easier to play. I'm starting to see a
difference in the tone also when I play my flute. I guess sometimes I just get
too impatient but I am beginning to see the rewards of practicing - it does come
eventually. Thanks again, Gerry G

[GerryG]

Courtney, Damjan, By the way, my piccolo is the
Gemeinhardt 4PMH (plastic body, silver plated headjoint). I also bought the
plastic headjoint for it. One thing I noticed is that it's slightly easier to
hit high notes with the metal headjoint. Maybe that just depends on the
individual. I remember when I researched the various piccolos I decided on one
with a conical bore because they claimed to play in tune better than the
cylindrical bore. It did mention that the cylindircal bore was easier to play
for beginners but I decided I would go for the better tone. Oh well - enough of
all the analysis - I really love playing both the flute and piccolo.

[flutietootie85]

I just started playing the piccolo about 6
months ago too. I wanted to offer a few words of encouragement. Though I am only
in 10th grade, I'vee been playing the fltue for 6 years now and have decided to
try my luck with the piccolo for marching band. It is hard to get the higher
notes out on a piccolo. I can get up to a 3rd octave Bb sometimes but usually it
stops at A. So no need to think your taking to long to achieve them. I know
people who have been playing for way longer and still can not get them out. I
also think the type of piccolo you have influences how high you can go too. My
firts piccolo I got was off of wwbw.com. It was plastic body metal head..and
very cheap. I discovered that gettign notes out on this piccolo was very very
hard. I could not get a 3rd octave F out or anything higher. It also was very
flat..but that's beside the point. So i ended up usuing my lesson teacher's
all metal piccolo and it worked sooo much better and I could get those higher
notes. My friend has a yamaha piccolo that is metal head plastic body and it is
SOOO easy to play, even I can get a high C out on it. So i think it does have ot
do a lot with the piccolo too. I wish you the best of luck as you continue to
work on ur skills.

[GerryG]

Thsnks so much for your reply. I haven't been
on this site recently so I just read your message. I still have trouble getting
the highest B and C to play - I can hit it if I really attack with the tonguing
and blowing but can't hold it for more than a second or two. I will keep trying
- I really enojy the piccolo and love to play along with a CD I have of the
University of Illinois Marching Illini. It's a great hobby. I've also started
spending more time with the flute. I guess it's like most things - the more you
practice, the better you become. It takes patience which I don't always have a
lot of. Thanks again for your hewlp -it's appreciated. Gerry G

[Goddess of Flute]

Ive been piccoloing for 3 years now, and it
took me a couple years to get those high A's, B's, and C's out. Dont worry,
hose high notes will get easy soon enough! You seem to be on the right track to
sucess though! Good luck and Piccolo's rock! (btw- I also play on a gemeinhardt
4pmh [;)] I love it ) oh, and dont forget to protect those ears! Wear earplugs!!
I have already damaged my hearing and im only 18, not good not good)

[GerryG]

Thanks for your encouraging words. I really do
need to be more patient. You've also reminded me to go buy some earplugs.
Thanks again! Gerry G

[sakuramimato]

I've been playing on a Gemeinhardt 4SP since I
was in the 7th grade (a little over two years), and I, too, have difficult
playing in the higher registers. It's mainly my piccolo as it has suffered an
accidental fall on concrete. Since my musical repertoire back in junior high
didn't require any notes to be registered in the upper third octave (A3+), I
didn't have the opportunity to play anything higher than G3. Transferring from
flute to piccolo every once in a while, my repertoire demands notes from the
third register more often, and I found that my A-flat3 doesn't come out while
A3 and G3 do. (Highest I've attempted and succeeded was B-flat3, and C4 didn't
even come out.) I think my A-flat touch key is the problem. In my opinion, the
condition of the piccolo you have can hinder your progress. Happy
piccolo-playing to all!