I've been learning flute a while now and I recently got an Aulos Pipit 'Fife' out of curiosity. One thing I've noticed when playing flute is that its so much easier to hit the high notes than the first octave notes. I thought second octave would be harder but its actually easier than first octave! So that makes me wonder why piccolo is seen as harder than flute?
| Advertisement |  |
Click to advertise with us! |
Piccolo harder than flute?
- Thread starter LaFlute
- Start date
Perhaps the following article may be of assistence to understand why the piccolo is considered a more difficult instrument to play than the flute?
What’s the Difference Between a Flute and a Piccolo? - Yamaha Music
Think the piccolo is just a pint-sized version of a flute? Think again. There are numerous differences that make these two instruments unique.
hub.yamaha.com
It was the statement, "With only headjoint and body pieces, the piccolo is missing some of the key work found on the foot joint of the flute. .... Although a smaller volume of air is needed to play the piccolo, players must use a faster stream of air to support each note, especially the higher ones. Due to the difficulty of sustaining tones on the piccolo, playing notes in tune is more challenging on the piccolo than on the flute."
AFAIK, it is one thing to play the flute, but to play it correctly with good tone is another. A doubler (one who plays another instrument well say sax) may get by with a very breathy sound on flute playing jazz. But in a classical sense it is to be able to play it with good tone in intonation (tune) with a pure tone through its range, also ditto on the piccolo. It is the smaller faster stream of air across the piccolo's mouthpiece with a consistent good tone throughout its range is what I thought was the challenge.
I know from playing the higher pitched Eb sopranino clarinet, it is more challenging to play in tune than the regular Bb clarinet. (Although it is a blast to jazz improv with.)
The John Philip Sousa march, The Stars and Stripes is in the US public domain. (It is a publisher's particular printed layout and alternate arrangements that are not). It was composed in 1896 and played in public shortly after. There is a free downloadable PDF of the piccolo part at:
Stars and Stripes Forever (J.P. Sousa) - Free Flute Sheet Music
Sheet music for Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa, arranged for Flute and Piano. Free printable PDF score and MIDI track.
When I did a search, there are other sites as well with a free download. Or, one can special order and buy the part at a music store.
AFAIK, the song is a favorite with some British and other European bands as well. Perhaps it is worth giving a try on the piccolo?
Back when I was playing a ton of flute/picc (mid 80's-90's) I could play the picc solo from S&S from memory! That seemed to be the "ultimate test" for us doublers at that time.The John Philip Sousa march, The Stars and Stripes is in the US public domain. (It is a publisher's particular printed layout and alternate arrangements that are not). It was composed in 1896 and played in public shortly after. There is a free downloadable PDF of the piccolo part at:
Stars and Stripes Forever (J.P. Sousa) - Free Flute Sheet Music
Sheet music for Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa, arranged for Flute and Piano. Free printable PDF score and MIDI track.www.flutetunes.com
When I did a search, there are other sites as well with a free download. Or, one can special order and buy the part at a music store.
AFAIK, the song is a favorite with some British and other European bands as well. Perhaps it is worth giving a try on the piccolo?
I haven't played it in years.....'time to break it out again!
Back a while ago, I forget which Army band, we had top notch tuba players. Our bandleader had one of them play the Stars and Stripes piccolo part during a concert. Those were fun times.