in the bands i`ve been in we always tune to the oboe for rehearsals but she uses an electric tuner first to make sure she`s in tune.

"Have to agree about the piccolo thing - very odd. "Definition of a minor 2nd - 2 piccolos playing in unison!"

That reminds me of my favourite flute joke:

How do you get two flutes to play in tune? Shoot one of them.
How do you get to piccolos to play in tune? Shoot both of them.

That never fails to make me laugh