piccolo's help!

angelsweetbaby04 · Post by **angelsweetbaby04** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 5:10 pm

i wanna look in to gettin a piccolo, i just dont know
really where to start with that quiet yet, what brands to get what kinds, and
all of that. I have a flute and im at a pretty high level with that, and have a
nice flute and all, but i just dont know where to go with the piccolo stuff. If
any one has any tips on the piccolo or ne of that please let me know, iv never
plaied 1 b4 but i really wanna

FluteDiddy · Post by **FluteDiddy** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 7:54 pm

As far as student level piccs many of the same names
hit the list. Emerson, Armstrong, Yamaha, Gemeinhardt and a different company
from the flute names Hardy. In this group, like Yamaha in flutes, Gemeinhardt
has a slightly better market reputation and share than the others from what I am
told. My knowledge of pics is a little more limited. The names in the higher
quality group are different as Muramatsu, Miyazawa and Altus do not market a pic
under those names, I dont think. Hammig is a big name among the top quality
piccs as is the flute maker Haynes. Burkhart-Phelan is another high quality
flute maker that is a factor in the picc market in the $5 thousand area. By the
way Haynes has recently gone from a very old family held company to being bought
up by a group that owns Steinway strings. Not sure how that will affect their
products. There are probably tons more little makers and a few larger ones I
missed. But again I hope it gives you a starting spot.

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 8:32 pm

I bought the Gemeinhardt 4PMH (resin body with silver
headjoint) for my daughter a year ago. She has been happy with it. Oh, and you
can use the search box at the top of the page and type in "piccolo" and it will
bring up different discussions we have had here about them. Kim

notootsieno · Post by **notootsieno** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 8:53 pm

Hello, I've been playing piccolo for 2 years, and I
have the same type that Kim's daughter has. I definitely would suggest
Gemeinhardt, but you probably should go to different music stores and test
different brands they have there. Oh, and don't be afraid to play loud. I used
to be a bit timid with the piccolo because it was so shrill, but now I'm
getting used to it.

ick27 · Post by **ick27** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 12:18 am

Piccolos are made from wood, metal, and plastic. Wood
piccolos are prefered in the symponic setting, but they don't work well for
outside playing (they can crack for one thing.) So if you will be playing in a
marching band, make sure to get a plastic or metal piccolo. Many companies make
student piccolos (such as Gemeinhardt, Emerson, Yamaha, Jupiter,) so the best
thing to do would be to go down to a music store and try some out. Also, bring
your teacher or an experienced player along--they'll be able to compare
instruments and make sure the instrument is in good playing shape. -Bradford

angelsweetbaby04 · Post by **angelsweetbaby04** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 12:36 am

yeah thats the brand of flute i have, and i love it.
its also the brand that the music store that im havin my flute worked on at is
there, so i don tknow, i just dont knwo what to do about it, but thanx 4 the
advice. when playing is the fingering the same as the flute?

FluteDiddy · Post by **FluteDiddy** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 5:48 pm

Gemeinhardt makes some nice pics, better in my view
than their very average flutes. again my opinion One thing to think about metal
headed flutes usually have a lip plate like a flute and the transition is
simplified. The plastic and wood heads usually do not have and it will be more
of an adjustment. Or maybe you will have no problem either way. As was said test
em out. If you are just going to play in marching band sound will not matter so
just stay with a plated Emerson or Gemeinhardt. The Emerson is probably cheaper
and unless you get serious about the pic or use indoors for orchestra/band it
wont matter. Plus a few seasons of marching band depending on climate can make a
piccolo a throw away instrument. Expect to pay about 350 to 450 for a new metal
pic by Gemeinhardt or Emerson. To get anything for serious play made of wood you
probably looking at over double that maybe 4 times that. By the way being
thrilled with a student Gemeinhardt, and this gets me into trouble on this
board, but it is my opinion, shows that you haven't played long or progressed
to an intermediate level yet. Once you do your affection for the Gemeinhardt
will go down rapidly.

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 6:24 pm

Yes it is the same fingerings but there are alternate
fingerings to help to keep notes in tune. If you do decide to purchase a
piccolo..don't forget to pick up some earplugs also. Kim << i just dont knwo
what to do about it, but thanx 4 the advice. when playing is the fingering the
same as the flute>>

flutietootie4lyfe · Post by **flutietootie4lyfe** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 8:26 pm

how much did your daughters pic cost kim?

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 9:13 pm

Hi~ I paid $545.00 a year ago. That was pretty much
the going rate at all of the stores I had checked with at that time. Kim

FluteDiddy · Post by **FluteDiddy** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 9:30 pm

Model 4P High impact plastic body and head, Conical
Bore, silver plated keys Price $469.00 Model 4SP Silver plated, Conical Bore,
silver plated key Price $489.00 Those are the prices from a major store you can
buy from, Gemeinhardt wont let them list the prices because Gemeinhardt stuff is
so heavily discounted. If you call those are the prices, at least currently, I
have been quoted less like 419 but maybe there has been an increase since then.
But the above are current I have seen these available for less but I think these
prices are a good guide. Emerson and a couple others are around 420. Occasional
specials have them in the upper 300.

FluteDiddy · Post by **FluteDiddy** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 9:44 pm

I just checked ebay and there is a guy there with like
500 transactions with not one complaint. He sells gemeinhardt pics for 399. I
think he has the silver plate or plastic for that price, the silver head goes up
a bit. I am not recommending him not having dealt with the guy but 500 happy
custerms would seem worth looking into. Of course a lot can be said for dealing
with your local music store because that is who you will have service it and
help you with any problems. But it gives you a range of options.

FluteDiddy · Post by **FluteDiddy** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 9:50 pm

In case I forgot to include Weissman, this NYC
retailer of flutes and pics with a great reputation and selection and great
knowledge also makes his own line of wood pics which are considered very good.
There are just so many companies If your willing to go big bucks and wood,
Hammig would be my personal choice and I doubt you would be disappointed.

PiccChick · Post by **PiccChick** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 7:03 pm

I've been playing piccolo for almost three years.I'm
in seventh grade. I play Geimenhardt and w/ a golden mouthpeice. its really nice
and produces a great tone. You can get it at any local music store. Piccolo's
are very expensive though. mine is 1000 dollars.It's just a student edition.
plus it isnt mine.its r schoolz. well-have fun. piccolo's fun 2 play.Enjoy.
PiccChick[;)]

Cleartone · Post by **Cleartone** » Tue Apr 06, 2004 11:50 am

I think you might just want to go for a Gemeinhardt
Model 4W. most flautists these days don't want metal headjoints and prefer
wooden ones. Playing a wooden piccolo headjoint may even help your embouchure on
the flute. I know it is more $$. but I think it is a better picc. for the long
run.