Do I have to learn to play the flute to learn to play the piccolo?

Question

i didn't sign up for band this year, and buying two instruments and two instructors is out of the qusetion. so can I just learn the piccolo?

Answer 1

Hello there...

I am going to have to say YES... you do have to learn to play the flute to play the piccolo.

And actually that is not all together true but take this into account.   The piccolo is what is called a harmony instrument in the flute family.  It is not the primary instrument.  So if you just learned to play the piccolo and there were no piccolos called for in the music you were playing, and MOST times there is not.....  you would be sitting there doing nothing while the rest of the band was playing.  You could be sitting there for months at a time in concert season with nothing to do...  you might as well not even be in band.

BUT..... if you play the flute which is a basic band and orchestral instrument,  you will be playing on everything.   Then, once in a while when there is a piccolo part,  someone who has a piccolo or is assigned to play can pick it up and play the measure or measures or how ever much is needed.  Also, in high school and marching season,  piccolo is used quite a bit... but not exclusively.  The band director only chooses two pics at the most... and they are the better flute players.

As far as a difference... for the most part... the fingerings are the same and if you can play the flute,  you can play the piccolo.

So,  Even if you didn't sign up for band and never intend to be in band...  there is not much call for solo piccolo and not much beautiful music for it either.   You can just learn piccolo and not the flute, but if you decide to go in that direction,  you might pick up a set of ear plugs for yourself as well as for your family.

And any flute teacher is able to teach you piccolo.

Flute teachers participate in Answers to give the best and most practical advice to students and parents alike and this is what I have tried to do in answering your question.  I hope it makes perfect sense to you and shows you why you need to learn flute first,  :))

Hope that helps.

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

Well...I have never played piccolo...but my teacher (he plays both) says that the difference is when you blow... the only difference is that the hole in your mouth at the time you play should be smaller because you are playing higher notes.

I reccomend you to try first with the flute...the piccolo is a beatiful instrument though.  

Answer 3

There's very little difference between the two instruments, other than size.  Most people start with flute because it's easier to learn-you have more room for your fingers, it's easier to tune, and you have more room for error/variations in your mouth since it's bigger.   Flute music is usually a little easier, especially since everyone will hear every note played on a piccolo, even in a full band. (it's the highest sound so it stands out)  You might be able to start on piccolo, but I wouldn't recommend it.  You can use the same instructor for flute and piccolo, so maybe talk to them about renting a flute for a little while to learn on.