Piccolos

The Piccolo plays an octave above the flute, in the same range and with the same fingering as the D tin whistle.  It shouldn't be confused with simple cylindrical instruments like the fife.  Like the D flute, the headjoint is cylindrical and the body conical, offering much better tuning and a sweeter sound than a cylindrical instrument.  It is a two part instrument, three if a tuning slide is needed.  

Bore Dimensions

Two bore dimensions are available:
 
11mm This is the "classical" piccolo bore dimension, offering response up to the upper third octave.  It is modelled after an original by famous London makers, Rudall and Carte.
12.5mm This optimises response over the bottom two octaves, giving a much fuller lower octave.  Ideal for Irish music and other folk tunes.

  

Piccolo with New Improved Tuning Slide, red ivorywood, sterling silver rings

Piccolo with New Improved Tuning Slide, Boxwood, sterling silver rings (extra for boxwood)

Medium bore piccolo in African Blackwood with silver rings, no slide, Minimum Disruption Tenon.

Timbers

African Blackwood, Ebony or Australian gidgee included in price.  Boxwood, add $80.  Other timbers as available.

Rings and ornamentation

Sterling silver, or artificial ivory rings in baroque style ornamental turning, included in price.

Tuning slide

A conical piccolo without tuning slide can be tuned over a narrow range by pulling its head out in the manner of a recorder.  My Minimum Disruption Tenon design assists by minimising the cavity formed inside the head socket as the body is withdrawn.

A tuning slide offers easier control and a greater range of tuning.  The New Improved Tuning Slide Mk II retains the appearance of the traditional lined head, while adopting strategies to minimise the risk of splitting.  In this design, the metal sections are surrounded with a resilient layer of tenon cork, to permit movement of the wood to take place without risk of splitting the wood.

Stopper

The stopper is the plug in the bore of the headjoint located just above the embouchure hole.  The piccolo comes with a screw-stopper arrangement whereby the stopper to embouchure hole distance can easily be adjusted by turning the cap.  The stopper itself is delrin, with a tenon cork seal, and should have an indefinite lifetime.

Keys

Many players do not use keys at all - the instrument plays in the main traditional music keys of D and G without their use.  Up to six keys can be added at a cost of $250 each.   The most popular priority order for adding keys is:

G#, to enable playing in the key of A
Short F, for accidentals and the key of C

Bb, for the keys of F and D minor
Eb, for accidentals

C, for a clearer upper c note
Long F, to permit the D to F slur.

Note that the four keys commonly fitted during the classical period - G#, Short F, Bb and Eb - are enough to provide fully chromatic playing.  The remaining C and Long F were added later to improve the tone and facilitate certain passages.

Cases & Bags

We can do a very nice handcrafted presentation wooden case, or a piccolo bag.

Other Accessories

Most of the accessories listed in Flutes for Irish Music are relevant to piccolos too.

Prices

Piccolos USD
With New Improved tuning slide  $803
Without Tuning slide      $634
Presentation timber case $254
Piccolo bag $51

 

Ordering

Orders should be accompanied with an USD $200 deposit.

Postage and Insurance

We'll work out postage and insurance options at the time of delivery.