There are a few things to consider when you are looking to purchase a new piccolo, whether you are new to the instrument or looking to up-grade from your student model. In this short guide we take a look at some of the factors you might take into account in your search to find the right instrument for you.
Consider your environment
Piccolos are usually made from a choice of three materials – metal, resin (composite/ plastic), or wood. If you will be doing a lot of playing outdoors such as in a marching band, then a wooden piccolo may not be the best choice, as external environmental factors may cause cracking. On the other hand, metal piccolos can produce a rather shrill tone quality, so many orchestral players will choose a wooden instrument which tends to have a sweeter quality that blends well with both strings and other woodwinds.
However, if you are looking for a piccolo that will work well in various situations, then you can’t go too far wrong with a composite instrument. Composite piccolos combine plastic with wood which gives the player all the tonal benefits of a wooden instrument without the risk of it cracking.
Determine your budget
Once you have decided what you need from a piccolo, you can do some research on models and pricing. Although it is possible to spend a great deal of money on a piccolo, it is also possible to obtain a fairly decent instrument without breaking the bank, so if you have a budget in mind, you can rest assured that there is still an instrument that will work well for you. You could also ask the advice of your teacher who may be able to give you some recommendations within your budget.
Headjoint style
The style of headjoint you choose may be influenced by how long you have been playing the instrument. It takes practice to blow across a piccolo embouchure hole, which often does not have a lip-plate, so many novice players prefer a metal headjoint which has a lip plate like a flute. This will feel familiar to blow across and ease the transition from flute to piccolo playing.
‘Wave style’ headjoints are also a popular choice. This headjoint style reduces air resistance, improving the playability a little and offering a bit more security and control over the sound. This can be a great step-up option too.
Other specifications to check
Bore – Bore shape refers to the shape of the inside of the instrument, both for the headjoint and the body joint. The bore can be either conical or cylindrical and this will have an influence over how a piccolo performs. A cylindrical bore will allow for an easier response, especially in the 3rd octave, but can result in a thinner tone in the lower octaves. By contrast, a conical bore will have a uniform, even response throughout the registers.
The headjoint should fit snugly into the body and be free of any rough or sharp edges. Key mechanisms should be light and smooth.
Play testing
If you are new to the piccolo, you may want to take your teacher along with you to offer some help in choosing an instrument. When play testing, try playing the same excerpt of music in all registers (legato, tongued and mixed articulation) in order to test the response and tone colour of each instrument. It is also advisable to have a tuner handy to check the intonation. Playing with good intonation is one of the the most difficult aspects of playing the piccolo and although control over intonation is largely down to the player and practice, it can vary from instrument to instrument too.
Some popular starter and step-up piccolos
Yamaha YPC-32
A beginner to intermediate model and one of the biggest selling student instruments worldwide. It has a metal headjoint and plastic body and is therefore a great choice not only for outdoor playing, but also popular with beginners as it has a lip plate to ease the transition from playing flute to piccolo. This is not the cheapest piccolo on the market but is a wise investment as its build quality is robust and will last a long time. So if its longevity you’re after, then this would be a great model to consider.
Yamaha YPC-62
A step up from the YPC-32, this is a full wooden instrument, using grenadiila wood for both the head and body joints, as well as silver-plated keys. Perfect for orchestral playing or indoor bands. It is important to ‘condition’ the wood slowly by playing it gradually at first and building up the length of playing time in order to reduce the risk of cracking.
Pearl 105E/ ES
This piccolo is a composite model, based on the legendary Hans Reiner piccolos, sought after by many professional players. This piccolo is made from Pearl’s own proprietary material called grenaditte. Like other composite models, you will get the tonal benefits of wood without the drawback of cracking due to external environmental factors. As with Pearl flutes, this piccolo also features their One-Piece-Core-Bar system and Pinless mechanism. The 'E' model features a 'High Wave' headjoint and the 'ES' model has a traditional headjoint.
Pearl 165E
This model has the same specifications as the popular 105E model, but with the addition of a grenadilla wood headjoint. This is a great choice if you would like a warmer tone but don’t want to spend out on a fully wooden instrument.
The YPC-32 is probably the most popular student piccolo in the world due to its easy playability, accurate intonation and reliable keywork.
The body is made of sturdy, maintenance-free ABS resin for a sound similar to that of natural wood. Because the headjoint has a lip-plate similar to a flute, it feels familiar to flute players, making the transition from flute to piccolo playing easier. The standard model includes an E mechanism, as is found on professional model piccolos.
The Pearl PFP-105ES is an affordable and reliable instrument with a well-centred sound and excellent intonation. Its reliability means it is a great choice for any flautist looking to take up piccolo playing.
This piccolo is made from Grenaditte - a recent discovery for the construction of musical instruments. Grenaditte is a form of plastic which echoes all the qualities in appearance, weight, density, feel and tonal qualities of Grenadilla wood (the traditional wood used to make piccolos). Grenaditte is impervious to fluctuations of temperature and humidity which means it won't crack to ensure a consistent performance every time.
As with all the Pearl range, the PFP-105 features their patented Pinless Mechanism which significantly reduces the level of perspiration and body acids that can enter the mechanism, almost eliminating the binding and corrosion of keys - the only piccolos on the market to feature this innovation.
Pearl's commitment to accuracy of pitch and a beautiful projecting sound is realised in this remarkable piccolo.
The Pearl PFP-105E is an affordable and reliable instrument with a well-centred sound and excellent intonation. Its reliability means it is a great choice for any flautist looking to take up piccolo playing.
This piccolo is made from Grenaditte - a recent discovery for the construction of musical instruments. Grenaditte is a form of plastic which echoes all the qualities in appearance, weight, density, feel and tonal qualities of Grenadilla wood (the traditional wood used to make piccolos). Grenaditte is impervious to fluctuations of temperature and humidity which means it won't crack to ensure a consistent performance every time.
As with all the Pearl range, the PFP-105 features their patented Pinless Mechanism which significantly reduces the level of perspiration and body acids that can enter the mechanism, almost eliminating the binding and corrosion of keys - the only piccolos on the market to feature this innovation.
The PFP-105E piccolo features a 'High Wave' embouchure which helps to focus the sound, offering a quick response, stability and control.
Pearl's commitment to accuracy of pitch and a beautiful projecting sound is realised in this remarkable piccolo.
