Wait, where are the instruments?

Piccolo Basics The piccolo is the smallest commonly-used wind instrument, half the size of a standard flute with a sound that's twice as high.  The piccolo is laid out very similarly to a flute, making it fairly simple for an experienced flute player to start playing piccolo right away. However, the piccolo is generally NOT as easy for an absolute beginner to start playing on - despite its small size, it's not generally a good choice for a first instrument. Piccolos are in the key of C, which means the notes the player reads off the music sound the same as a piano. They can be made out of metal, a plastic/resin material, or wood. Piccolo players often get very fun parts to play in the band, such as the famous and recognizable solo in The Star Spangled Banner.

Student Piccolos

Selling price for new: $400 and up

Brands at ABI: Armstrong, Eastman, Pearl, Jupiter, Yamaha

Entry-level piccolos will generally have an all-metal head and body (usually nickel plated with silver on top) or be made from a synthetic resin mixture. The all-metal instruments have a very bright, cutting sound that can border on shrill, and is typically a good choice for a marching band instrument that's going to be played outdoors. The synthetic body piccolos tend to have a somewhat more mellow sound, making them a better choice for indoor concert band playing. Some instruments may have a metal headjoint paired with a synthetic body, giving a tone quality somewhere in the middle.


Advanced Piccolos

Selling price for new: $1500 and up

Brands at ABI: Emerson, Yamaha

If a player advances to a level of ability that demands a truly great piccolo, chances are they'll be looking for an instrument with a wooden body. This gives the piccolo a comparatively rich, warm tone quality that's well suited to symphonic use. Like a flute, the design of the headjoint will have a large impact on the sound and feel of the piccolo, although there generally are not as many options or variations available as there are for flutes.