I have reason to believe that for my birthday or Christmas (they’re close) I’ll be getting a simple system piccolo in D. I have a C bamboo picc that I love and I’m hoping this will be just as enjoyable playing experience (assuming I get one!).
Some questions, though. Would it be appropriate to play the (as yet purely theoretical) piccolo in a session where only traditional Irish instruments are allowed?
Would a wooden piccolo be as loud as a tin whistle? I’m trying to let a perferated ear drum heal and my whistle and regular piccolo are off limits. I know a wooden picc will be just as high, but what about volume?
Arggh… If it’s that loud then it will sound like static to me for the near future.
On the other hand, I might have a chance to drown out the whistler I affectionately call “she who plays horribly loud, constantly rushes and never met a tune she didn’t think she could diddle through and figure out by the end.”
Of course, then someone would have to get something even louder to drown out the “blasting piccolo” and eventually we would be kicked out in shame from the nice little coffee house
I love the new avatar, artsohio!
-Janet
~JessieD
Thanks! It’s one of the few pictures of me smiling (I get somber when the camera is taken out). I was cleaned up for a party and feeling good!
You hear piccolo on old 78 RPM records of groups and “Orchestras” quite often, it was a popular instrument in the old days, perhaps due to D whistles being a titch scarce? Or perhaps they liked that extra volume.
I like picc. You can learn to control it so it’s not so loud, and the power is there when you need it. Added benefit, it takes a lot less space than a flute, and that’s nice in a crowded session. Ralph Sweet makes nice piccolos, and Hammy Hamilton makes naughty ones.
The only trouble i’ve had so far was with an old-timer who thought it was a fife (and apparently connected it to Orange fife-and-drum bands, etc) and gave me a hard time for that. :roll:
One more thing to know: you’re more likely to have to adjust the cork in a piccolo than in a flute. Darn things are tricky; a very slight change makes a huge difference for the top notes.
I think I’m getting a Ralph Sweet one. I can play my C picc quite softly, but I’m not sure if that’s because it’s bamboo and/or since it’s a bit lower than a D one.
I’m still not positive that’s what is coming my way, I’ve just pieced some things together
Yes, Ralph Sweet’s fifes are consistently good. The new laminated birch (dymondwood) ones are really nice. They have a smaller embouchure hole than his other design, so it’s not as loud.
One outstanding exponent of the piccolo in Irish Traditional music was the late John Doonan from Tyneside in the North-East of England. He has made a few recordings, the best-known being “Flute For The Feis” which came out in the 70s. Most of the tunes on the record were set-dances, which he used to play for dance competitions. He achieved near cult status when the late John Peel used to play “The Ace And Deuce Of Piping” on his late night radio programme. This family tradition of piccolo-playing is continued by his son Mick.
Another fine player is Gordon Tyrell from Leeds.
With all of this talk about piccolos, I decided to order an instrument from Ralph Sweet. I see that Ralph is discontinuing his piccolo and replacing it with what he calls his professional fife made from laminated wood. Based on the recommendations from people here at C & F, I ordered the professional fife (or is it a piccolo?) that can be converted to a D whistle. Here is a photo, and happy Thanksgiving everyone. http://www.sweetheartflute.com/whistles.html
