sensitive piccolos

Mainly due to their size and bore, piccolos are often sensitive to even the slightest alterations. Here, I want to discuss the phenomenon of pitches cracking in the middle register. Often, middle E, F, and F# are prone to cracking down an octave. Consider the following techniques to address this problem. First, particularly for E and F, the embouchure opening should form an oval rather than a circle. These two notes are most responsive when you allow a breathy quality during warm up. Gradually decrease this breathiness to a desired tone quality as you warm up. I find that, depending on the instrument, F# sometimes requires just the opposite – a very small circle with very little air. Of course, in fast passages, such adjustments are not so easy. In these cases, you could vent with one of the trill keys in order to avoid pitch cracking.