HELP! I NEED TO PICK A NEW PICCOLO

FltnPicc_David · Post by **FltnPicc_David** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 5:50 pm

My mom told me she is getting me a new Piccolo! I'm still a beginner...almost an Internediate player...I want Gemeinhardt, Yamaha or Emerson but I hear there are some other brands out there. She says I can pick one from a range of 1,000-3,000 what should I get?

Band_Geek · Post by **Band_Geek** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 5:52 pm

Is your family rich or something? Thats a lot of money for an instrument. If your between the beginning-intermediate range, I would suggest getting a Gemeinhardt if you want the best sound quality. My friend Courtney plays a Gemeinhardt with a plastic body which is really good.

Hows about lending me some money so I can get a decent piccolo lol!

FltnPicc_David · Post by **FltnPicc_David** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 5:55 pm

Lol. I wouldn't say we're rich but the neighborhood I live in is "upscale.." I have a Gemeinhardt all metal....I think I might get a wooden one because I dont plan to march with it. I have my metal Yamaha and Gemeinhardt for those purposes.

Band_Geek · Post by **Band_Geek** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 5:58 pm

If your a beginner-intermediate, wouldnt getting a wooden piccolo be overdoing it? I read that wooden piccolos take a lot of hard work, practice and being a very good player. Still, there all nice choices. Any of them would be very good.

FltnPicc_David · Post by **FltnPicc_David** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 5:59 pm

Good point...hmm....maybe I should get something else...maybe some headjoints for my metal piccolos. A plastic on for marching (so the piccolo tone isnt so shrill and cold) and a wooden head for the concerts.

Starqle · Post by **Starqle** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 7:27 pm

From what I've heard, read, and experienced, metal piccolos are the hardest to play in tune and wood piccs need the most care.

Personally, I have a plastic Yamaha 32 picc with a metal head joint (http://brassandwoodwind.ca/Yamaha32Piccolo_62XXX.html has a similar one). When I got it (used), it was the cheapest instrument in town. That's why I got it - my parents said they'd buy me one if I found one under $500. That said, it's a very GOOD piccolo. It has a beautiful sound, is capable of playing in-tune (and when it doesn't, it's because of me, the player), doesn't get problems with its keys or anything, etc. When my teachers borrow it, they remark on its quality. I'd recommend this instrument to anyone... but I don't know if all are built to the same standards (though I'd think they are; Yamaha is a good company), and I've only played a few others ones (and all of those briefly) so maybe there's something even better out there.

I highly recommend trying out as many as you can. As you are just a beginner, having a more experience friend/teacher try them out might also be a good idea. I think you should get the best one possible - it's frustrating trying to learn an instrument with inherent flaws, and many people wind up thinking they're worse than they really are.

Band_Geek · Post by **Band_Geek** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:11 pm

Wow. Nice piccolo Stargle. Maybe I can convince my parents to get me one.

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:24 pm

Stargle, you got a great deal! Anywho... For the sake of intonation, stay away from Gemeinhardt. Have a teacher (FLUTE teacher) help you choose one if you've not played one much yet. Try several--use a tuner! The YPC-32 is an excellent choice for an intermediate player! If you're looking for a good wooden picc, I can certainly recommend the Yamahas also. A former student bought a YPC-81 before becoming a music major this year, and she's quite happy with it. It has really good tone (ok, SHE has really good tone!) and allows great intonation.