I play the flute and my teacher wanted me to learn the piccolo since I already had one. I can not figure out how to get any thing out. Why is it differenter to play than the flute and how do you play it to get a note out.

Be sure your picc is in good condition, but you'll need a very focused and accurate airstream, particularly as you get higher in the range. You may need a smaller aperture than flute requires for you, and try placing the picc slightly higher on your lip than you would a flute. Make sure your embouchure is firm, but not tensed, and really open up to get a nice resonant sound out of it. Once you've learned to produce the pitches, intonation and tone should be among your main concerns.

practice lots of scales and long tones slowly, don't force the tone, let the focus develop naturally..

Lera, unless this student is very wealthy, the picc may or may not be the problem, always look in the mirror before blaming the instrument...

Thank you guys so much I will start working on it as soon as I can.

Now that I figured it out I spit when I play it. Is there a way to stop or controll that?

When you spit, do you get a buzzing sound too? If so, it's a sign that your embouchure is too tight...It's pretty natural to tense in an effort to force high notes out, but a more relaxed embouchure should yield better results.

Yes I do. Thank you so much for your help.

I'm in the same situation too! i need to play picc for band, and everytime i play..my bottom row of teeth hurts. i think it's because i put too much pressure. ah..does it happen to you guys?

Never happens to me. You need to have the piccolo firm against your lower lip so that it doesn't move excessively, but not pressed into your lip to the point that pain occurs. Try consciously lightening the pressure you're putting on the piccolo with your left hand, forcing it toward your chin, and see if that doesn't help.

I used to spit while playing my flute. But I started drinking a lot of water after that, and I didn't anymore. You'd think it have the opposite effect, but it helped me. I guess while your playing saliva just comes up to wet your mouth and you end up spitting it....I don't know. ^^;;

Thanx for all your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, i found out that the picc i was playing had major problems, and i thought it was me. haha oops. that's why i was struggling and putting pressure on my lips, pressing keys harder to get the notes out. silly me! i played on this nice emerson wood piccolo. and OH man, it was quite different, and i played with ease. yayyy ^^

i'm going to take ur advice and play lots of scales, and i'll play infront of a tuner to get in tune. hopefully that will help! the only problem is that i only have 3 days to get in tune. because i have a performance. gAH. and it's orchestra so i REALLY have to be i ntune. it's soo important, guess i have to do some hardcore practing! haha

when my students get that sound I tell them "say it, don't spray it"

I'm really scared because my music teacher wants me to play the piccolo on our bandtrip and I've never even seen one before! I play the flute though and she thinks I should be able to learn the piccolo in three weeks, and then perform a solo in a competition. So I'm really stressed about this. Any tips? How are the two instruments alike?