Piccolo

The piccolo is the smallest member of the woodwind family, producing bright, piercing tones an octave above the flute. Though tiny, it cuts through large ensembles with ease—perfect for dramatic flourishes, trills, and accents. Piccolos are often used to add sparkle or intensity, especially in marches, patriotic music, and high-energy passages in concert band literature. The C piccolo is the standard today, providing consistent tuning and versatility across repertoire.

Piccolos can be made of wood or metal, each offering distinct tonal qualities. Wooden piccolos—commonly grenadilla, rosewood, or boxwood—produce a warmer, richer sound ideal for indoor concerts. Metal piccolos, usually silver or nickel, offer a brighter, more penetrating tone that projects well outdoors. This choice allows ensembles to match the piccolo’s sparkle to the venue and the music.

The D-flat piccolo, now largely obsolete, was pitched a minor third higher than the C piccolo and historically used for specific military and ceremonial music. Many of our older, out-of-print pieces still include a Db piccolo part, particularly very old marches that never had a C piccolo line. Modern editions generally omit it, as it is in a different key, requiring the player to read and transpose accordingly. The instrument itself is no longer made and is extremely hard to find.

The piccolo’s piercing sparkle can be heard in nearly all of our concerts—especially in marches and festive tunes. It’s small, but it always gets noticed!