What type of piccolo is the best for me?

[vinie]

What kind of piccolo should I get?
First, before you decide what kind of piccolo that you should get, you should determine
what you are going to use it for. Are you only going to march with it? Are you going to
march with it, then eventually also use it in concert environments? Are you going to want
an instrument that requires a lot of maintenance or an instrument that is very durable?
These questions are essential to determining what kind of piccolo you purchase.
Firstly, one must understand that there are three central materials that piccolos are made
of: metal, plastic, and wood.
Metal piccolos: tend to have a lot of power to cut through an ensemble when needed.
These Piccolos are fine for marching band, but depending on the material can be sensitive to
temperature.
Plastic piccolos: have a more mellow timbre and are easier to blend into an ensemble.
These piccolos are also well suited for marching band because they are less sensitive to temperature
or moisture.
Wood piccolos: also have a mellow timbre like the plastic piccolo. However these
piccolos can be damaged if exposed to extreme temperature changes, or moisture. I would not
recommend this type of piccolo for outdoor use.
Hybrid piccolos: that are plastic with a metallic headjoint. This type of piccolo
will give you the "cut" you need to get through an ensemble, but are mellow enough to blend
in. These are also one of the easier piccolos to transition to from a flute because they have
lipplates. Because the body is plastic, this makes them also idea for marching band.

I have a couple problems with stipulating a suitable piccolo for me.
Ofcourse I have read the FAQ, but I can't deside.
The purchase of the piccolo is over a couple year, but I have started with savings, and I want to know for what I save…

The problem is, that I rather many play several occupancies.
-I take part in local harmony orchestras, and they march regularly.
-They also play in concert halls, and one of the orchestra's I play in, only play's in concert hall's.
-Furthermore over a couple years, I will take part in an ensemble that is esembled by my music academy (this is obligatorily, so I have to do this.)
Does anyone have an idea which type of piccolo is the bests for me?

I can't buy 2 or more piccolo's, because I can't save much money. (app. 1300-1500€)

(I'm sorry for the bad english, I don't use it often)

[vinie]

Almost forgoten:

Is it true that when you start to learn piccolo, that your embrochure on the flute becomes "bad"?

A flutist in one of the harmony's where I play in say's that she doesn't like to play the piccolo because her sound on the flute get's bad when she played the piccolo for a long time...

[Phineas]

1. I would suggest a Hybred Piccolo.

2.

Is it true that when you start to learn piccolo, that your embrochure on the flute becomes "bad"?

This is a myth(false). Playing a piccolo may even improve you flute playing. However, what can happen is a loss of reference. Sometimes when I switch from playing piccolo, I tend to play the flute in the wrong octave for a while until my reference comes back. It does not do any harm, but I just have to be extra aware of what octave of the flute I am playing in.

I would recommend learning flute first if at all possible, but learning piccolo will not harm you.

Phineas

[fluttiegurl]

The only time I have seen students fall back on flute because of piccolo is when they do nothing but play piccolo for long periods of time (during marching season) and neglect their flute altogether. Otherwise, piccolo should not hurt your playing flute.

[vinie]

thanx you

I won't forget to play on my flute

And I will safe for an hybrid piccolo

[vinie]

What brand of piccolo's are good?

[fluteguy18]

I would recommend looking at:

Yamaha [ model YPC-32]
Sonare piccolos
Gemeinhardt piccolos
Pearl piccolos.

These are the ones that I can think of at the moment. Now, one thing to warn you about. The Pearl piccolo looks like it is made of wood. It is not made of wood. It is made of a composite/plastic/fibre glass material. It is good for playing outside and inside.

I played the pearl piccolo at a flute convention. It is nice. I thought it played a little flat [low pitch] but there were a lot of people there who played it and sounded great.

[vinie]

Thanx

Yamaha [ model YPC-32]

I tried that piccolo already, and I loved it.
But the YPC-62 played better, but I can't use that model...

Sonare piccolos

I didn't find anything about this piccolo....

Gemeinhardt piccolos

They look good but I never tried one...

Pearl piccolos.

I checked it out, but I don't think that there are any distibuteurs in my country...

[Phineas]

I played the pearl piccolo at a flute convention. It is nice. I thought it played a little flat [low pitch] but there were a lot of people there who played it and sounded great.

Yeah, if I were not in debit for 3 saxophones, I would buy it! It is a great piccolo.

Phineas

[etgohomeok]

http://www.trevorjames.com/2006/flutes/ ... cital.html

[vinie]

A bit late but still...

I've tested a YPC-32 first, but after a lot of suffering I realised that it's pitch was too high.
It wasn't my fault apparently, but that of the instrument.

I'm playing a Jupiter 301 now, I love it.

[dogster]

I would play the piccolo if not the damage it could do to your hearing. So I stay away from it unless I wore ear protection. The high frequencies can render your ears extreme damage to the celia in your ears

Doug