Piccolo help?

Question

I've been a piccolo player since middle school and I will be a music major next year in college. I'm going in on oboe, but it's required to be in Marching band so I have to play the piccolo.

I used to play my band director's solid silver Gemeinhardt 4SHS, but I had to give it back when I graduated.

My father bought me the same brand, solid silver all throughout, but this one has white gold springs and stuff. My problem is, I'm not sure if it's the lip plate I can't get used to or what...I can't get the Airyness out of my sound as I could my other one. I've been playing it for hours every day to prepare myself for march camp during the last week of August. I don't want to go in and have everyone think I'm bad.

How do I make the sound better?

Answer 1

Try tightening up your embouchure.  Another thing to try is more breath support.  The more support you have, the better your sound quality will be.

I was in my college marching band, but it's been several years since I graduated

Answer 2

HI Klay.... Flute/ Piccolo teacher here.  I think I have answered one of your questions before :))   Perhaps I can help.   Obviously there is a difference in the cut of the embouchure hole on this piccolo than the one you were used to.    DO NOT continue to play it for hours on end with this airy sound.   I will ask you to go to the music store or online or where ever you can buy music and get the Trevor Wye Volume 1 Tone Studies Book.  It is for flute,  but will work with piccolo as well.   It first starts with Low Tone Study.. but I would skip that for a few weeks.   Go to the Middle Register  section and start there.  There are instructions... but my instruction is to set your metronome to 60 and do the first exercise, repeating each measure 4 times before moving to the next.   Position your lips carefully...  Listen to your tone... work slowly,  find the sweet spot and project your sound.   Do the same exercise twice a day for 15 minutes.  After a few days,  move to the next exercise.   When you can hear an improvement in your tone/sound... move to the High Register and repeat the exercise.   Relax your embouchure as you blow...  gently position your lips forward instead of small  and tight.   I have yet to have a student that did not improve their tone with this method...  it should not take you long.. but it does require some attention to get accustomed to this new headjoint.     Thanks for reading.   :))