The piccolo is a small flute normally pitched in the key of C, which is one octave higher than the concert flute, making it a soprano flute. The fingerings on a piccolo correspond to the fingerings on a flute, but its embouchure is different. It has a very high register with a potential to be shrill or strident.
It is commonly used as an ornamental or flavor instrument; however, many solo pieces and concertos have been written for the it. One of the earliest pieces that made use of the piccolo was Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. It is also used in marching bands, particularly in Italy and Basel, Switzerland.
Materials used: Choose a piccolo made of wood to get a mellower timbre. For use in marching bands, choose a composite piccolo made of plastic for more durability.
Construction: Choose a piccolo made only of one material. Two separate materials can lead to having two separate temperatures that can cause tuning inconsistencies.
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