The immediately apparent difference between flute and piccolo is their sizes. The difference in size makes these instruments sound drastically different from each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because piccolo is half the size, it sounds higher than the flute<\/strong>. The flute sounds in the octave it is written on the staff, whereas piccolo is written in the same place but sounds an octave higher<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen played soft, the sound of the piccolo is delicate and sweet<\/strong>, but when played loud it can be resounding and shrill<\/strong>. In contrast, soft playing on the flute is warm and mellow<\/strong>, while high playing is brilliant and full<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOverall, piccolo is perceived as louder<\/strong> due to its extremely high range. While both instruments are difficult to play soft in the higher register, piccolo is even more so.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOne challenge of the piccolo vs the flute is that, due to its high pitch frequencies, the piccolo can damage your hearing with prolonged high register practicing, particularly in enclosed spaces. Ear plugs are a good solution – one can be worn in the right ear when practicing while keeping the left ear open for listening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Embouchure and ergonomics<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe headjoints and the opening of the mouth holes are significant in making a sound on each instrument. Depending on the shape of your lips, you might need to place the piccolo slightly higher on the lip<\/strong> than you would a flute. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIt also feels drastically different to hold the piccolo versus the flute<\/strong>. The hands are further apart on the flute, so a flute player may initially feel their arms and fingers are cramped on the piccolo.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe keys of the piccolo are very closely spaced<\/strong> and much smaller. This isn\u2019t usually an obstacle, but it will take a moment to adjust. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe size of the flute can be slightly cumbersome at times, especially if you started on piccolo. You will notice the difference in their weights<\/strong> when switching between the two. That said, both instruments are quite lightweight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Which is easier to learn and make progress on?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile it may seem like the smaller instrument would be easier to learn, the opposite is true in this case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The flute is more forgiving with more margin for error that the piccolo, and is found to be easier to learn. You will likely make progress faster on flute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being the larger instrument, flute requires more air to play<\/strong>, which would make it seem less beginner friendly. This is one drawback, however the piccolo presents other obstacles. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAlthough piccolo requires less air, it demands more strength and precision from the embouchure<\/strong>. The mouth hole is significantly smaller on the piccolo headjoint, so the lips must be consistently focused. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe petite-ness of the piccolo requires extreme accuracy with the embouchure, air direction, and breath pressure. <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
It can be easy to accidentally cover the mouth hole of the piccolo, so proper placement of the instrument and mouth is essential<\/strong>. This can be tedious at times, as having the instrument rolled in even slightly can inhibit the ability to make sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThis consistent focus of the embouchure requires endurance, which is built over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So at first, the flute is easier to make a steady, consistent sound than the piccolo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most difficult aspect of playing piccolo is the intonation<\/strong>. Your lips and ear must train to be exact and proficient at adjusting intonation as you play the piccolo.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn the piccolo, alternate fingerings<\/strong> are often employed to assist with pitch issues. They are used on flute sometimes too but it is far less common due to the compromise of tone, which is not experienced on piccolo.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThere isn\u2019t much beginner music written for piccolo specifically, however, method music can be played interchangeably between the instruments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Which is easier for symphony, band, ensemble, jazz, pop?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nDue to the timbre and highness of pitch, the sound of the piccolo cuts through and above any ensemble<\/strong>. This can be fun if you enjoy the spotlight, but a bit scary for inexperienced players. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPiccolo is best suited for marching band and orchestral\/symphonic works<\/strong>. Bands and orchestras have enough instruments to balance against the piccolo\u2019s sound, and marching band is outdoors where projection is needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPiccolo is uncommon in jazz or pop music, and would overpower most smaller ensembles. Flute is more suited to these genres<\/strong> and is often heard in jazz music.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt is very rare for there to be more than one piccolo in any ensemble. So while there will likely be a section of flutes in a band or orchestra<\/strong>, piccolo is more of a solo instrument, even when not playing a solo.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPlaying in an ensemble makes it even more essential that you learn to adjust for intonation when playing piccolo<\/strong>. Being out of tune will be evident in a group situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\nMusic for piccolo frequently features character qualities, such as imitating bird calls or humorous moments. Flute is often used for lyrical passages, and can blend nicely into other instrument sounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The difficulty of the music for each instrument varies depending on the situation. \u201cThe Stars and Stripes Forever\u201d is a famous march that features one of the most standard piccolo features, and it is pretty difficult to play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are plenty of difficult flute excerpts<\/strong> out there too, and each contain their own unique challenges depending on the musical selection. The flute is often better suited to exposed sections of music in an ensemble than the piccolo.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMusic for ensembles shouldn\u2019t be exchanged between flute and piccolo since the specific instrument is chosen and written for based on the tone color the composer desired. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Can flute players play piccolo?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNearly every piccolo player in the music world started with playing flute. Musicians often double on both<\/strong> and can also specialize one or the other. <\/p>\n\n\n\nSince the fingerings are nearly identical<\/strong> (with a few exceptions), that part of the transition from flute to piccolo is relatively simple. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe scales and finger technique developed on the flute will transfer well<\/strong>, and the fingers get to be even closer to the keys on piccolo. <\/p>\n\n\n\nUsually flute players will adjust to the finger spacing of the piccolo quickly<\/strong>, but beware of keeping your arms and posture open and not crunched. <\/p>\n\n\n\nMaintain an open diaphragm and keep the elbows from tucking into the body, which is tempting with the piccolo being smaller. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flute players are accustomed to a larger stream of air and opening of the lips<\/strong> to play and will need to decrease the size of the embouchure for piccolo. You don\u2019t want to tighten your lips necessarily, but rather form a smaller, but still relaxed air flow. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen switching to piccolo, do not refrain from playing with strong air support like you do on the flute. Oftentimes, beginning piccolo players shy away from the prominent sound<\/strong>, which can lead to fundamental issues with tone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n