I have been playing the flute for a while now and have completed many grades, aswell as being first and soloist flute in my orchestra for some time now. I have already mastered the guitar, piano, and violin but have to play the piccolo. One problem I learned to play the flute with braces and will soon be getting them off I am finding the piccolo a bit difficcult and am worried that once I get my braces off I will be completely useless. Any advice? pleases help! Loopy

I am just a little bothered by your use of the word `mastered`. Many professional players would not bring themselves to say that.

A piccolo, compared with a flute, needs a much faster airstram at times, much more accurately directed and formed, and far more on-going attention to intonation. You will not `master` it in a year or two.

To play a piccolo so the audience likes hearing it is a very difficult challenge.

I think you well know what they meant by saying mastered.

Sorry that this is off topic, but has anyone noticed that it seems that there is another "Jessie"? I have been responding to this forum for many months and I logged in today and there are answers from a Jessie that is not me. I am getting nervous that someone will say something insulting and that it will fall on me. If the new Jessie could maybe change his/her screen name, I would be greatly relieved. No offence is meant by any of this, but I am a little nervous of double identity....Thank you!!!

You guys probably have the same name.

My real name is different...I just thought "Jessie" up for my first post. I suppose it is a pretty common name; just as long as everyone knows the basic differences between me and the other Jessie, everything should go alright, right!?!

stay with the flute if u are so good. i really like the flute

Hi I have the same *ehem* problem. I have had braces for almost 2 years now and I didn`t start playing the picc until after I got braces. So I am used to playing a certain way. SAme with the flute. I have come very far. I don`t think getting your braces will make it harder or make you not able to play. It might take some adjusting but you can do it. I mean it just takes practice like everything else. And I`m sure it will be alot easier without the braces

Edit: sorry got off topic
Well definately stay with the flute beacause it is way more important than piccolo. I meanbeing able to play picc is great but being able to play flute and picc is even better. Always be willing to play the flute.

If you are as good of a flute/piccolo player as you say you are, you should have no problem playing after you get your braces off. I didn`t have any problems playing with or without braces. If I were to guess your age by your typing I would say you have not "mastered" the flute and still have many more years ahead of you. Just be patient. In time your playing ability will come if you still have trouble.

The piccolo may be a very cute and extremely high-pitched voice, but the piccolo is picky: if you mess up, you will ruin your entire playing (as in, the band). Flutes are much easier, but still even hard to produce a clean sound. Try flute, get good at it, then try the piccolo.

flute first then piccolo. and braces shouldn`t do anything to mess with your `mastery` or the instrument. (sorry, i had the same "problem" as mentioned above...just don`t use that word). anyways back to point. braces is something you have to get used to. if you proactice, the weirdness will go away.

best of luck