Doubling

[MrsElijahMikaelson1]

DD is a great musician-violin about to do grade 8 and just about to do grade 7 flute.

She’s decided that to give herself more orchestra opportunities, she wants to double her flute with a piccolo and has requested one for her birthday.

Am after some advice as to what sort to get her-she will obviously be a rapid learner and I don’t want to get her something she will quickly outgrow in terms of ability-and if doesn’t sound great she will find that very discouraging-any thoughts on here?

TIA

Is it possible to get to a flute specialist and take dd to try them out? They'll also have the best advice for what's best within your price range.

If not, I'd go with the best you can afford and something similar to her current flute/her next flute.

Cheap piccolos can be difficult to tune, and if she's looking at music college or professional playing then she'll need another one before then if you've gone for a starter picc.

She’s auditioning for junior conservatoire this year-unfortunately her current flute teacher knows nothing of flutes-on line search seems to suggest a Yamaha 62R ?!!

Her flute is a beautiful Pearl with solid silver head so lots to live up to!

I did junior conservatoire! It was the best thing I did. Can you hold off to see if she gets in? Her teacher there would be the best person to advise. I'm sorry her current teacher isn't so good at advising.

I'm a clarinettist and when i started there I was advised by my teacher to get a new mouthpiece and reed strength that completely changed my playing, and upgraded to a professional pair of clarinets a year or so later after my grade 7 from my intermediate clarinet, and without him and that change I would definitely have picked different ones. When I upgraded I went to Howarth (a woodwind specialist in London) and tried loads out until I found the right one for me.

There's a place near Warren street station in London called All Flutes that seems to have a good range. You can get Pearl piccolos, but they're plastic/plastic and wood, and not as nice as the hammig ones (but a lot easier on the bank balance). You might be able to an affordable second-hand hammig, though.

Otherwise, call a flute specialist shop and talk to them. They know their products and will be able to help more than I can.

Another clarinettist. However, we have started dabbling with flutes in earnest more recently. Like your daughter I have a Pearl with silver head. I managed to get it from Just Flutes (based online with a store down south somewhere.) second hand in immaculate condition. Have a look at the Piccolo section both new and second hand. They grade second hand in terms of padding, plating etc. If not ask them for this information. 'Very good' etc is a little ambivalent. They do offer really good advice.

Another place I have used is Wind Section - Edinburgh.

Thanks-we’re in the midlands so a little tricky-her flute was from just flutes so will try there. From my internet searches, the wood ones seem to sound the best for warmth and tone- there is either a pearl or a Yamaha that they suggest is “professional standard” though not too pricey-certainly less than the flute-which was definitely much much less than the violin😱

We’re just about to get a step up piccolo for DD. Teacher also said pearl or Yamaha as affordable good quality options. If she’s at state school and you’re buying new ask about the assisted instrument purchase scheme via the school as it saves you quite a bit (no VAT)

Yes we do that @Lots-saves a fortune! Thanks for the advice x