piccolo
Tiny orchestral pipe
A piccolo is a small flute pitched an octave higher than the standard flute, producing the highest notes in an orchestra.
Its bright, piercing tone cuts through even full orchestral sound: The piccolo solo soared above the brass section.
Players typically double on both flute and piccolo.
Tube blown sideways
- fifeSmall shrill woodwind
- transverseExtending sideways across
- woodwindBlown orchestral instrument type
- orchestralFor a symphony ensemble
High in frequency
- shrillHigh-pitched and harsh
- piercingPenetrating or very sharp
- brightEmitting or reflecting light
- brilliantIntensely bright or gifted
treble · octave · soprano · penetrating · silvery · clear · sparkling · chirping
Wind player's mouth position
- fingeringNote-playing hand technique
- breath controlManaging exhalation deliberately
- articulationClear vocal expression
- tonguingWind instrument note separation
trill · staccato · legato · vibrato · overblowing · register · intonation · airflow
Extended composition for orchestra
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- conductorOne who directs musicians
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
- philharmonicLarge orchestra organization
opera · overture · chamber · section · principal · second chair · tutti · passage
Mobile musical ensemble
- paradeCeremonial public procession
- drum corpsBrass, percussion, color guard
- formationCreation or arrangement
- field showMarching band performance
halftime · uniform · drumline · color guard · baton · majorette · procession · drill
flute
Tube blown sideways
- fifeSmall shrill woodwind
- transverseExtending sideways across
- woodwindBlown orchestral instrument type
orchestral · concert · keyed · silver · metal · soprano · high-pitched
high-pitched
High in frequency
brilliant · treble · octave · soprano · penetrating · silvery · clear · sparkling · chirping · whistling
embouchure
Wind player's mouth position
- fingeringNote-playing hand technique
- breath controlManaging exhalation deliberately
- articulationClear vocal expression
tonguing · trill · staccato · legato · vibrato · overblowing · register · intonation · airflow
symphony
Extended composition for orchestra
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- conductorOne who directs musicians
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
philharmonic · opera · overture · chamber · section · principal · second chair · tutti · passage · doubling
marching band
Mobile musical ensemble
- paradeCeremonial public procession
- drum corpsBrass, percussion, color guard
- formationCreation or arrangement
field show · halftime · uniform · drumline · color guard · baton · majorette · procession · drill · football
concerto
Solo-and-orchestra composition
virtuoso · recital · Vivaldi · sonata · transcription · obligato · obbligato · showpiece · feature
- Italian Adjectivesgrande, alto, basso, lungo, largo
- flutesflute, concert flute, bamboo flute, wooden flute, silver flute
- woodwindsclarinet, oboe, flute, bassoon, saxophone
- Italian Wordsciao, grazie, prego, arrivederci, si
- orchestraorchestra, symphony orchestra, philharmonic, strings, string orchestra
- high-pitched soundssqueak, squeal, shriek, screech, shrill
piccolocontrabassoon
Lowest orchestral woodwind
tuba · bass clarinet · double bass · bassoon · baritone saxophone