I'm looking at buying a piccolo and am going to hopefully get it tomorrow!

Does anyone know of any good brands to get please?

Thanks

Annetta

The PFP-105 is really good!
(easy playability and worth the price).

I've got a john packer one (JP111 I think can;t remember off the top of my head). I love it

I've got a Pearl 105. I find it easy to play - much easier than the Yamaha YPC 32 - but that is a personal opinion.

I have a Yamaha - not sure which model it is but it has a wooden head - I've been really pleased with it and its served me well for years. I did have a yamaha with a silver plated headjoint at first which was ok but it was worth paying a bit more for the next model up.

The Pearl 105 is excellent value for money and easy to play - a few pupils have them, and they are easier to play/have better intonation than my own which was a lot more money!

Sorry to hi-jack this thread with my own question....but...when should one buy a piccolo? and is it necessary to have one if you play flute? Bearing in mind flute is not my first instrument...more like my 4th or 5th...and I am about grade 5/6 standard

im not really sure ! sorry x

I know many first study flautists who don't play piccolo, and some second/third study flautists who do. If you wanted to play flute in an orchestra it would be useful.

Well I doubt I will ever play flute in an orchestra....I might get one eventually though

I have a Yamaha 32. It's great especially for a first piccolo. It has a silver headjoint, with a lipplate. I'd say it's the most popular (well, atleast i thought it was until i read this thread and no-one has suggested it yet :s). Anyway, it serves me well!

My first piccolo was the ypc32 and yes it is a good starter one .
Though, compared to the Pearl I own now, the yamaha is just okay.

Depends on how much you have to spend. Under £400 go for the Yamaha 32, under £800 go for the Pearl 105.

Never! Do not give in to the temptation of the Shrieking Stick! It is evil and should be avoided at all costs!!!

(Unless you want to play in orchestras in which case it's probably unavoidable that you'll need one sooner or later. Pah.)

lol! why do you dislike the piccolo so much Sarah?

Just to prove the piccolo doesnt have to be a shrieking stick
Mower sonata mvt 1
Mower sonata mvt 2

I dislike it because I don't like the sound - at all.

I've heard quite a lot of Nicola Mazzanti before... I appreciate that the guy is an awesome piccolist... I had a listen to most of the soundfiles on his site in an effort to change my own mind some time ago... and I still hate the sound of the picc. If HE can't convert me..............

The only time I find it bearable is in its lowest reaches... where one may as well play the flute! I'd rather hear a flute in its second register than a picc in its low register.

Alto and bass flutes... them I can see the point of

(No offense intended to any piccolists: I know many people like the nasty little thing instrument... I don't, but my posts about it are usually somewhat tongue in cheek !)

Anyone want to form a We love piccolos group?

Sorry sags_3, I'm with sarah-flute on this one - only ever play the piccolo when I absolutely have to!

I do love the piccolo! Although I can't join the 'I play piccolo well' club yet!

I love piccolo too!

I love the fact that everyone looks at the size of it and goes 'it's so cute!' Then they hear the sound of it. Muah haha!

I join you sags!
With patience and practice piccolos can be lovely. Its often neglected of practice time so playing never improves, give it time and you shall reap the rewards!

With Sarah Flute on this one
We had Piccolos and alto flutes on the flute weekend - the piccolo high notes did my head in - but the alto flute was lovely. I had a go on the alto and could make a nice sound but think I need to take weightlifting classes to play it for any length of time.