I'm looking for a piccolo to play for marching band. Any suggestions?

Question

I've been playing flute for 4 years. I want to play picc for marching band, and occassionaly school band.

Answer 1

you should go to carltons music store they have cheap instruments.

Answer 2

Do NOT buy an all-metal piccolo.  And you do not want an all-wood one, either, if it is going to ne played outdoors.  The half and half wood and metal ones are also not so hot - SO - get a plastic one!  Do NOT buy some piece of garbage off eBay - go to a reputable store like www.fluteworld.com.  Google for Jen Cluff ( NO, I am not her!) and read her EXCELLENT articles about buying instruments.  Aldo, go to Yahoo GROUPS and join Flutenet - there are over 3,000 of us there, and we talk about flute stuff ALL DAY LONG!

Answer 3

HI FT.   Playing piccolo for the marching season sounds like it is going to be fun.  :))     If you are looking for a decent piccolo there are some name brands to keep in mind.  Yamaha is good,  as is Gemeinhardt.  Your other respondent was correct in mentioning to avoid the all-metal piccolos.  Those tend to be very shriek and they have a hard time being in tune with the rest of the group.     Wood piccolos are very good,  however,  they are considered more of a professional level, working fine for concert and competition situations... though not so good on the marching field where they are exposed to the climate - heat/cold/humidity.  The best choice for both marching and concert season IS the all-plastic or metal head and plastic body combination.   Not as shrieky and can stand up to the elements... though I would not leave it closed up in a hot car (then you are going to have problems with the pads loosening).    So you won't be surprised...  plastic piccolos - both Gemeinhardt or Yamaha - can be as much as $700.00 new and if that seems to be a stretch for your parents,  I would look around for a used one in good ready-to-play condition.  The reason I say that is, repair techs hate to work on piccolos... so getting one that has problems will be expensive on repair costs.  Finding used piccolos is not really that easy... as there are not that many out there.   I would check craigslist . org in your city.  I don't have an issue with buying from eBay and you can get fantastics deals there.....  Like the same plastic piccolo for $350-$400 and maybe less and eBay must be pretty good as there are about 100 million people buying and selling on any given week.   You just have to watch the Selling person's feedbacks... and read the description thoroughly.  My most important advice to you is Do not buy one of those no name brand piccolos no matter what the price.   The only thing they are is glorified toys and your band director would not be happy with it.. as well as you will wind up wanting to kick yourself.  I know they can be found for $99.00,  but remember... you get what you pay for.   Hope I was able to give you more to think about when buying your piccolo.

Answer 4

put a want ad in the paper, I sold my daughter's clarinet that way.