Hi, I`m new to this forum and after taking a look around I`ve noticed that many of the responses are helpful. So i have now decided to ask my questions.. I just started the piccolo this summer to ensure a spot in a band next year. I`m getting really good and can hit up to an A.. the squeeky one... but what is the basic range needed in a high school band? anyone know? The piccolo is REALLY baddly out of tune.. a b flat shows up as a b natural *yuck* is it ok to pull out the cork? Im not sure... if that is the WISEST thing to do since i never have to do it on my flute.

....first off, i`d say good idea getting an early start!! you`ll be thankful later when you don`t have to worry about it... i wait to get my pic till about 2 weeks before i had to play it.. lol.. anyways.. in our band we play high.... everything that can be taken up an octave(sp?) we take up. i`m not sure if you could say that`s a basic range for high school or not however.. that`s just how things are in our band. it is rather difficult with tunning... i`m not sure about pulling the cork out? ...i`m not exactly sure what your talking about? we pull the headjoint out if it`s very out of tune or you can try rolling it out or in... depending if your sharp or flat.. i`m by far no expert on this.. i`ve just play for a few years. i`m sure that someone else can give you answers that may better answer your questions.. just thought i`d offer my views

Intonation issues are largly do to inexperience with a Piccolo. As you practice scales, intervals, and studies your embouchure should adjust itself to a Piccolo so that you`ll only have to minimally adjust the headjoint.

Also to check to see if your Piccolo cork is in the right place just stick your Piccolo rod into the headjoint and make sure the line is centered across the hole.

Just give it time and intonation issues should fix itself... if you practice!

Oh the cork is in the right place... Sarah, by pulling out the cork i mean.. you know how you can unscrew the end on the flute/piccolo if you pull on it it will adjust the cork, i dont know if doing that alot will affect the instrument... I had some really bad problems with my embouchure which my teacher is helping me with so that`s probly why my tuning is sooo bad... ty for the responses they`re helpful :D

All flutes and piccolos should come with flute rods and at the end of those flute rods is a line. When you insert the rod into a flute or piccolo headjoint that line should line up in the center of the flute or piccolo embouchure hole for optimal performance. It doesn`t adjust for intonation.

Use the rod to push the cork out to adjust, but don`t pull on the crown. You can push the crown in to adjust the other way.

If the cork is not sealing take it to an instrument shop to replace. You can test the cork seal by covering the end of the headjoint and sucking at the lip plate and see if it holds suction for 10 seconds.

Yes, As Piko states the cleaning rod line should be centered in the embouchure hole. It should probably not be adjusted.

If you have been only playing Picc for a few months. Getting up to a high A is pretty good. Most pieces don`t really go much above that. For example, Sousa`s S&S Forever goes up to high Bb.

Tuning on that instrument takes time, ears, and embouchure muscles. It will get better but will rarely be perfect. More often, tuning may only involve listening well and lipping the note up or down with support and embouchure adjustments. The cheaper student-line instruments can give troubles on the notes with less fingers down such as b,c, c#, & high D.

Other issues with Piccolo tuning may include bad pad height. They should all open properly to the correct height to vent the holes. A low pad may play the note flat. A leaky one may play sharp. Condensation, spit in the bore or in the key holes can ruin a good fingering and should be cleaned out with a swab or soft absorbent cloth. This happens more often when the air is getting cooler in the fall.

~Bilbo

Basic Range. If you are talking about the highest note that you will have to play, I would say a High B Flat. The fingering I use for a B Flat, is the "Thumb, Pointer, and Pinky fingers on the Left hand; Pointer and Pinky on right hand". Sorry if I do not know any other way to describe it, unless I just say play a B Flat and then just put your A Flat key down and blow (tighten lips up) a little harder.

Hope this was help?