Piccolo tones
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
-
cheer_annie_08
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2005 6:34 pm
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Piccolo tones
Hi, I just started playing piccolo a few months ago when our band teacher bought 2 of them for our concert band. He didn't tell us anything about them just left us to figure them out alone. I've read alot of articles about the piccolo but nothings covered my problem. I'm not getting a good quality sound out of the lower notes (from about a middle 'f', 5th line on the staff (excuse my poor music knowledge lol)) The sound is very airy sounding but my embochure is tight and everything like it should so whats my problem? THanks so much!!! *annie*
If you ever thought you wanted to be a band teacher, just come to a 6th grade brass class.. It will make you want to work at the 7-11 gas station.
Annie
Welcome to the club! It really depends on a few things, so I will cover the ones I have ran into.
Fisr let me tell you, you cannot tighten up your embochure!!!! You have to loosen it, and focus more air down then across. The same way you hit C4(High C) on the flute, you have to play a piccolo the same way. Here are some other possible issues.
1. Plastic or Wood headjoint with no lip plate.
This kind of piccolo is a funny animal, because you will have the tendency to get too close to the hole, which cause you to have to over blow.The thing you will have to do is experiment with your lower lip position. I would try rolling tye headjoint forward a little till you find the right spot. If you can get you hands on a transverse Bamboo flute, it wouldbe a good tool for practice.
2. Metal Headjoint with Lip Plate
Try starting from F with long tones, and work your way down. Then start from D with long tones and work your way up. Loosen up!
3. Adjustments?
If all else fail, you may need to get your adjusted. However be carefull, cuase it is more than likely the other 2 things.
Everyone has a sweet spot, just keep experimenting till you find it, and get into the habit of getting your lips to that spot!
Hope this helps.
Phineas
Welcome to the club! It really depends on a few things, so I will cover the ones I have ran into.
Fisr let me tell you, you cannot tighten up your embochure!!!! You have to loosen it, and focus more air down then across. The same way you hit C4(High C) on the flute, you have to play a piccolo the same way. Here are some other possible issues.
1. Plastic or Wood headjoint with no lip plate.
This kind of piccolo is a funny animal, because you will have the tendency to get too close to the hole, which cause you to have to over blow.The thing you will have to do is experiment with your lower lip position. I would try rolling tye headjoint forward a little till you find the right spot. If you can get you hands on a transverse Bamboo flute, it wouldbe a good tool for practice.
2. Metal Headjoint with Lip Plate
Try starting from F with long tones, and work your way down. Then start from D with long tones and work your way up. Loosen up!
3. Adjustments?
If all else fail, you may need to get your adjusted. However be carefull, cuase it is more than likely the other 2 things.
Everyone has a sweet spot, just keep experimenting till you find it, and get into the habit of getting your lips to that spot!
Hope this helps.
Phineas