Piccolo

:This article is about the instrument. For the Dragon Ball character, see Piccolo (Dragon Ball).

Timbre and construction

Because the piccolo sounds in a very high register, it has a potential to be strident or shrill. Thus, it is often used only as an ornamental, "flavor" or "garnish" instrument. A typical flute section may include only one or two piccolos, and since piccolo players usually also play flute, they may alternate between the two, according to what is appropriate for the music. Not all flute players play piccolo. Though the fingerings are the same, the embouchure and other differences do require a separate effort to learn.

Related Topics:
Register - Shrill - Embouchure

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The piccolo is somewhat notorious for being difficult to play in tune, as evidenced by the joke circulating among musicians that defines a minor second as "two piccolos playing in unison". Besides being generally sensitive to tuning, the piccolo does require a great deal of breath support and is quite conspicuous when out of tune.

Related Topics:
Minor second - Unison

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Piccolos may be constructed out of wood, metal, or a combination. Many piccolo players find that wooden piccolos offer a more mellow timbre than metal ones. A popular compromise combines a metal head joint with a body made from wood. In more recent years the piccolo has also been made out of a plastic composite material. The composite piccolo is durable enough for marching and produces a fair quality sound. Most professionals agree that it should be made out of one material as two separate ones rise to separate temperatures, leading to tuning inconsistencies.

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