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Piccolo The piccolo is a small flute. Similar to its larger counterpart, the piccolo has the same fingerings but sounding an octave higher than written. The piccolo is often one of the highest instruments within the orchestra or band. Now only manufactured in C they were once made in D-flat during Sousa's time. Notorious is the Scherzo from Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 in F minor, the piccolo has one of the most technically challenging solos lasting only for 2 seconds total. In the orchestral setting, the piccolo player is often designated as Piccolo/Flute III or even Assistant Principal. The larger orchestras have designated this position as a Solo position due to the demands of the literature. |
