Plated Piccolo

Plated Piccolo

Mendini Piccolos are one of best selling, teachers approved piccolos. It features flawless finish, undercut beveled embouchure, high quality double bladder pads, and ergonomic finger brace. This piccolo package includes a deluxe plush-lined lasting hard shell case with rexine cover, a soft cleaning cloth, cleaning rod, joint grease, and a pair of white gloves. Buy with confidence, this flute has a one year warranty versus devising defects. This package retails for $399.99.

Background: my reason for writing this article

The piccolo is an interesting fellow member of the family of instruments known as woodwinds. It has the most eminent pitch of all the instruments in a innovative orchestra. Most persons will effortlessly recognize the piccolo in band music, such as John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” where the piccolo solo soars above all the other instruments and produces a counter melody almost like a whistle. It is because of this uttermost pitch that it is of utmost importance to build finelooking tone.

I play the flute. My range starts on concert, or “middle” C, and moves up three octaves. Although both piccolo and flute notes are written in the same place on the treble staff, the piccolo sounds one octave higher than the flute. Therefore it is understood that it is range starts on D, one octave above middle C and also moves up three octaves.

One of the initial things I learned on the flute was that the most criticism will be directed at my tone. It’s all with regards to tone: good tone, pure tone, polished and controlled tone. Third octave tone is the toughest.

I also write music for the flute. Recently I wrote a piece that genuinely suits the piccolo. So now I want to learn to play piccolo, too. This is what brings me to the study of tone on the piccolo.

Specific proficiencies for tone development

1. Make use of a mirror to check alignment and tension.

It took me a long time before I was more than willing to try this. Once I did, and I begun to listen betterment in my playing, I decisive it was a good technique! As you use the mirror, you will commence to see the shape of your mouth and how it is sitting on the lip plate. It’s so easy to tilt off to one side of the mouth and not feel it!

Next, check arm position, noticing if there is tenseness in your shoulders and neck.

Do not play a note! Just look at your position. Close your eyes and detect how it feels to hold the instrument in a relaxed state.

2. Playing notes with the mirror.

Close your eyes and commence to play a nice long note. I like to commence with G or A in the firstborn octave. Listen as you play it, then open your eyes to see if you are still in good position and relaxed.

If you are successful on one note, do two or three in a scale or arpeggio. Play the notes firstborn with eyes closed. Then while you proceed to play, open your eyes to check your alignment.

3. Find a way to record yourself.

No excuses. Find a way. Buy a digital recorder. Get a microphone for your computer. Do whatsoever it takes to record and listen to yourself. Save one recording each 1-2 months, so that you will be capable to go back and compare your progress.

Record the same song or exercises for at least one month. The song or exercise must be no more than one minute in length. This way you may get a good comparison when you listen to it. You may listen to all of your recordings at the end of the month and either discard them, or set one detached for future comparisons.

Tips for good recording:

1. Always warm up before you record.

2. Place the microphone two to four feet away from you.

3. Announce the date before you play.

4. Keep the music simple sufficient that you may relax.

5. Focus on slow, smooth notes rather than fast or short ones.

There are some more ways to work on tone, but if you get started with these techniques, you will be well on your way to performing pretty music on the piccolo, woodwind extraordinaire.

Plated Piccolo Photo

Plated Piccolo Pic

Plated Piccolo Pic

Plated Piccolo Picture