Therefore, the piccolo is pitched nearly an octave higher than the flute. The tone holes and keys are also smaller in size and placed closer together, which may make fingering easier for some players. 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. Flutes are most often crafted in a variety of metals such as alloyed nickel, silver, and even gold, while piccolos tend to be made from wood with metal keys, although there are also plastic-bodied piccolos such as the Yamaha YPC These types of instruments are not quite as bright in sound as metal piccolos, but they are less expensive and more durable against the outdoor elements, making them a popular choice for students and marching ensembles.
Interestingly, and less commonly, flutes have even been made of all glass, but these instruments typically serve more specialized roles in folk or period music. For centuries, the flute and piccolo have played significant roles in the magic of storytelling through music.
The flute is known for its graceful, celestial sound — a gentle tonality that blends well with other instruments. Like the violins in an orchestra, flutes are often heard playing the melody. From love themes to flowing rivers and birdsong, the dazzling flourishes and trills that are characteristic of the flute have been used by composers for centuries to evoke passionate emotions and the sounds of nature.
The piccolo is renowned for its capabilities in the highest register. Like an excited younger sibling, the piccolo likes to imitate its older flute brother or sister in the way it looks and acts, but with more energy and a much more piercing voice. And even though the piccolo has become a mainstay of many orchestral woodwind sections, where it is primarily used to produce tension and excitement as well as, on occasion, humor , its unique tonal qualities make it a great fit for marching bands too.
Learning how to play these instruments is a great place to begin your musical journey and spark your imagination. This will give you a great foundation to work from and will help you build endurance as you learn a broad range of notes and hone your technique. When you move on to learning how to play the piccolo, you will fine-tune your ear and build confidence.
Piccolos are not instruments for the shy! When a child initially takes an interest in learning to play the flute, parents often opt to purchase or rent a basic instrument , and with good reason. While there are numerous benefits to learning to play, the fact is that instruments are costly and there is no guarantee that the child will enjoy the learning process.
Of course, for the parent who is not musically inclined, it can be challenging to select the right instrument to advance to. Here are some tips for discerning what sets an intermediate flute apart from a beginner version. Beginner music students usually take some time to learn the finer points of how to care for an instrument. As such, the majority of starter flutes are made of mainly silver plated nickel.
The body and the moving parts are usually made of these materials because this type of construction can withstand a decent amount of wear and tear. Having fewer extras to focus on while still learning proper hand placement is a big selling feature for beginners. Once a student graduates to an an intermediate flute there are almost always small holes on the five keys that are directly pressed by the fingers. These holes present more of a challenge to the player, but also allow for clearer sound.
Another advantage of the holes is that having them forces students to polish their hand positioning, as the holes must be covered correctly to achieve clear notes. Interesting post! Thanks for the great information. This is really helpful. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
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