flute to piccolo...

[fluteyplayer:]]

i have never really tried to play the piccolo before, but i just made 1st chair flute for my high school's marching band, and i think maybe i would like to try it.
last year, i was 3rd chair, but the two flutes above me played piccolo for the season, and they both told me i should try to play piccolo, because they both graduated, and now we have no piccolos at all.
they told me that because i was good at flute (i taught myself in one summer, and have only been playing for 3 years, so i've only been playing for as long as the upcoming freshmen) i would be able to learn it fairly quickly.
i'm only going to be a junior, and i am curious if anyone here can give me advice on learning the piccolo, is it difficult?
the people i've talked to say that it just takes some practice, that it's just like the flute, but smaller, and higher pitched.
could i learn the piccolo this summer and be able to play it in the fall?
or should i just wait and play it next year, when i am a senior, and well practiced?

* i'd like to get a piccolo soon, whether i play it this fall or next year, can anyone tell me a good one to get, what i am looking for?
preferably one that is not that expensive?

thanks :]

[etgohomeok]

Check out pawn shops, they tend to have good instruments for marching band use (not concert band, don't get ideas).

Just get one and annoy the hell out of your parents and neighbors for the next few weeks, it pretty much comes naturally.

[Phineas]

This thread should answer alot of your questions.

http://www.fluteland.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=2411

[snowstripedmoose]

learning to play the piccolo is not that hard only took me 2 hours to get the hang of it just need to learn to control your airflow and poise your embouchure as you would when playing high notes in the upper octave on the flute
try not to roll the piccolo in either

Snow

[Dirty_Dave]

The bigger thing you'll encounter is that the pitch is really flexible, and you'll need to be very accuarate (because everybody can hear you!!!).

[lula]

Piccolo isn't too hard to play. I had to play it for marching season for lack of flutes in our section. The only thing that is hard is going back to flute for concert season because it feels and plays different. And yes everyone can hear you. Good luck with the piccolo.

[twiggy208]

The piccolo's not much different to the flute to play, its just getting the initial air flow right. Once you play a few scales and get used to how that feels, especially how to hit the high notes, its pretty easy. I agree with Dirty_Dave on this one, you need to get used to working for hitting every pitch perfectly each time as the sound has a tendency of 'slipping' when jumping notes. You will get the hang of it though

Good luck (:

[vernuskloyz]

Hey Craig,
I have returned to Henrico, Va and have been playing the flute for a bit. On occassion I attend the drum circle at byrd park. Would be great to hear from you to share the experience.

[Arlee]

Really late reply but I thought I would add it is also important when playing the piccolo to be careful you do not develop the habit of pressing the piccolo to much into your lip. Doing this can cause pitch problems and also can cause you to hurt your lip.

[muffin777]

I played piccolo for marching band for the first time this year and I loved it. The first time I ever played the piccolo was when one of my section leaders wasn't there and our director was just like "hey, why not get her piccolo out?" (It belonged to the school) And I couldn't get the note to come out at all when we tuned, so just make sure you get used to it before playing in front of people.

I think as long as you are comfortable with the music you should play the piccolo!