I just started playing piccolo and have managed to get a good tone but I`m having trouble using dynamic contrast in the 2nd and 3rd octaves. There is a piccolo piece that I`m playing that requires pp in the third octave (a G actually). Any tips?

Hi hope you`re enjoying the piccolo. The piccolo is alot trickier than the flute and takes alot more skill to achieve good dynamics, tone and intonation.

the piccolo is also thought of as being a "specialist" instrument and most orchestra`s have a flautist(usually 3rd flute) who specialises in piccolo due to it being a rather awkward instrument

The 3rd octave is particularly hard to play quietly and in tune. Sadly like most things in life the only way to achieve this is practice practice practice.

Good luck

Graham is correct, you need to practice tone studies up high on piccolo with great care to learn to control dynamics, remember, you don`t learn to play by just playing through literature, you need to do your tone and technique exercises first

i also just started piccolo in school and somehow it seemed easier than flute to get a good tune for me. its a very interesting instrument. don`t be afraid to blow hard into it is the first thing for me to learn.