Although piccolos are small, they can vary hugely in quality. Buying a good quality piccolo from a well respected brand will be much better in tune and produce a warmer sound. It will also be easier to play which is always a bonus! That’s why we have put together this article about the Best Piccolo Brands.
It is tricky to engineer something so small so it is worth paying a little more if you can afford it to get a handmade instrument from a well known and trusted brand. These will come with extra features which makes those tricky high notes a little bit easier to play. Although you will still have to do some practice…
Student model piccolos are often more expensive than similar standard flutes. Don’t be shocked by this! Their small size makes them harder to make so they cost more. Imagine making your favourite dish for dinner but it has to be a quarter of the usual size. Not so easy huh….?
This piccolo buying guide will take you through some of the best piccolo brands out there and will hopefully help you find your dream instrument.
Yamaha
ONE
Yamaha is a market leader across many instruments including the piccolo and they are famous for their quality and durability. Particularly for student level instruments. Founded in 1887 by Torakushu Yamaha, this brand uses its long history of instrument making to make quality piccolos for customers around the world.
PROS
- These instruments are widely available so easy to find in stock wherever you live
- They hold their value well so are great to sell on if you want to upgrade at a later date.
- There are many second hand Yamaha piccolos available to purchase.
- They make piccolos with a wide range of materials.
- Piccolos available to suit all skill levels
- Split E Mechanism as standard.
- Great for beginner piccolo players
CONS
- The sound quality on the student models is not the best as it is made from resin not wood.
- They are not flute specialists so if you are looking for a professional piccolo, it might be worth looking at piccolos made by flute makers.
- Some people find the lip plates uncomfortable to play on.
The best piccolo in this brand
COMES WITH: maintenance-free ABS resin body
FEATURES: A split-E mechanism to make your high E notes clearer
Yamaha YPC32
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Silver plated headjoint
- ABS resin body
- A great value Pirc
- Easy to play
- Pretty much indestructible!
- Great for flautists looking to explore the world of piccolo and develop a solid technique.
- Can sound a little ‘plasticy’
- Low register is not as resonant as a wooden model.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Many musicians start playing on a Yamaha YPC32 piccolo in youth orchestra and used this instrument right into their early years at music college. It has a nickel silver plated headjoint and an ABS resin body. It’s a great value instrument which is both easy to play and also pretty indestructible!
Have a listen to the YPC32 in action in this video:
Burkhart
TWO
Burkart Flutes was founded in 1982 by Lillian Burkart and James Phelan. They are very experienced makers and their professional piccolos are known for their warm sound quality and stable intonation. They also pride themselves on their range of handmade instruments.
PROS
- They specialize in flutes and professional piccolos of high quality
- They have models at different price points right up to professional models
- All their piccolos are made from wood so you know it will be the best sounding instrument.
- Extra keys such as G sharp facilitators to make high notes a breeze,
CONS
- They do not offer beginner models so not ideal for the skill level of a beginner.
- They may be hard to get hold of from generic music retailers as they are often only stocked by specialist flute shops
- Very expensive!
The best piccolo in this brand
The Resona model is a great option for more experienced piccolo players who want to take their student piccolo playing to the next level. Crafted from aged grenadilla wood you are buying a great quality instrument at an affordable price.
I was particularly impressed with the tuning of the Resona model. This instrument would be ideal for advanced amateurs or ambitious students who hope to study music at university or music college.
Pearl
THREE
Pearl Musical Instruments was founded in 1946 by Katsumi Yanagisawa in Japan and started making flutes in 1968.
PROS
- They focus on good quality instruments.
- They are innovators in instrument design.
- They are famous for their ‘pinless’ mechanism which is used for all their flutes and piccolos
- Pearl have been investing in new materials for their piccolos including Grenaditte. This is a durable and reliable composite material which gives their piccolos an excellent dynamic range.
- Beautiful looking instruments due to the quality materials used.
CONS
- They do not offer a really cheap range piccolo
The best piccolo in this brand
COMES WITH: Split E Mechanism
FEATURES: A cylindrical headjoint and pinless construction
Pearl PFP-105E Piccolo
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- ‘Wave’ head joint which can improve tone production
- Made from the innovative, new material Grenaditte
- Great tone quality
- More durable than wood
- Resin-infused instruments aren’t to everybody’s taste
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The Pearl 105E model is a great option for intermediate players. It includes a ‘wave’ head joint which can improve sound production. They have used the innovative, new material Grenaditte for this instrument which combines great sound quality with a durable instrument. As with all Pearl models, it comes with their famous pinless mechanism.
Best Piccolo Brands for beginners
FOUR
Yamaha is a great option for beginners as they offer a wide range of student level instruments. This is a great opportunity to try different materials such as resin, plastic, silver plated and wooden instruments all from the same brand.
Also experiment with different lip plate options. The Yamaha YPC32 Student Piccolo offers a ‘flute like’ lip plate, but there are also options with more traditional piccolo headjoints like the Yamaha YPC62M Professional Piccolo model, as you can see below. We love this instrument – although the downside is the cost…
Yamaha also has a wide range of student piccolos so there will be one to suit every beginner’s budget and requirements. They are also widely available worldwide.
PERFECT FOR: Students who are looking to go to the next level fast
FEATURES: The classic tones of the YPC62M's range
yamaha ypc62
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Trusted for its reliable intonation
- Beautiful resonant tone
- Fully handmade
- Expensive so not suitable for children or those with limited budgets
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
best brand for experimenting
FIVE
Guo New Voice piccolos have really shaken up their competitors with these exciting new instruments. They use computer led design for maximum precision when creating their instruments.
They come in a range of colors and are made from a new polymer material which is even lighter than resin (around 20% lighter). Our favorite is the Cherry red color!
They also come with some impressive features such as the high G sharp facilitator. You would normally have to buy a much more expensive instrument for tools like this.
These piccolos can be played in all weather conditions and are very durable. This combined with the wide range of colors to choose from makes them a great choice for younger players – although the don’t necessarily sound the best!
Many piccolists have given these instruments rave reviews so have a try if you’re open to something a bit different.
best brand for professionals
Powell Flutes opened their first shop in Boston, Massachusetts in 1927 and was immediately popular with some of the most famous American flute players of the age.
They are true artisan makers and many professional flautists play on their instruments including Adam Walker (principal of the London Symphony Orchestra).
Their innovations included mixing silver and gold to create the Arumite flute and for producing the world’s flute 19.5k rose gold flute.
Powell piccolos include the same quality workmanship and many are made from resin infused Grenadilla which means they can be played outdoors safely.
The Sonaré 850 series is a great option for advanced players and is available with a classic or wave head joint for extra flexibility in tone and comfort.
COMES WITH: A classic style headjoint and white gold springs
FEATURES: Resin-Infused grenadilla that can be played indoors or outdoors
POWELL SONARE 850 SERIES
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Available with a classic or wave head joint for extra flexibility in tone and comfort.
- White gold springs as standard which gives a touch of class to this intermediate piccolo
- Great tone and lovely sound
- Made from Grenadilla
- More expensive than a beginner model.
- Wood is more sensitive to changes in temperature than other materials
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Best brand for a small budget
SEVEN
The Student Piccolo FC-100 is just about the most affordable piccolo you can buy which is still worth buying! It is great if you are unsure if the piccolo will be for you so want to try it out without spending too much money. This is the perfect starter instrument, made by Gear 4 Music who specialist in making ethically produced starter instruments.
Similar to market leaders like the Yamaha YPC32 (reviewed above), this piccolo has a silver plated headjoint with a ‘flute like’ lip plate for extra familiarity for new piccolo players.
It may also be interesting to do a blind test with this piccolo and more expensive alternatives. You might even prefer the sound or playability of this great value instrument!
I totally love this instrument, and think that it’s quite incredible they manage to produce such a high quality instrument at such a low price – for this reason, I give it 10 out of 10!
COMES WITH: An offset G Mechanism
FEATURES: Silver Plated ABS Body, a conical bore, and a hard case
Student Piccolo fc-100
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Amazing Value For Money
- ABS Body Means It'll Withstand Regular Practice And Transport
- Conical Bore Means The Body's Tubing Gets Narrower Towards The Lower End, Resulting In An Even, Consistent Sound
- You'll Need To Upgrade To A More Expensive Instrument When You Progress Further
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Piccolo accessories
EIGHT
There is a great range of accessories to choose from for your piccolo. Here are some things you absolutely must have to call yourself a real piccolo player.
Case
Your instrument needs a case for when you take it out of your house to rehearsals and lessons. A hard case is best as it protects your piccolo from damage and weather conditions.
You can also buy great case covers which also include storage pockets for pencils and cleaning accessories. These also protect instruments from sudden changes in temperature, especially if they are lined with fleece or made from leather.
You can also get case covers which fit a flute and a piccolo, this can be useful if you need both for orchestra. If you travel to rehearsals regularly then you may also want to buy a case which can fit orchestral music in too so everything is in one place like this one below; my favourite all time flute and piccolo case, the Protec LX308.
COMES WITH: Water Resistant Design
FEATURES: Lightweight Material
Protec LX308 Pro Pac Lux Messenger Flute/Picc Case
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Lots of pockets for all accessories
- Adjustable strap
- Looks smart and professional
- Quite bulky
- More expensive than smaller cases.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Instrument Stand
A stand for your instrument is very important as this keeps your piccolo safe whilst you are not using it. You may find you do much more practice if my instrument is already out of its case and on the stand in your room. You can almost hear it saying “Play Me”!
As piccolos are so small, a safe place to put them is important as they could easily be misplaced or even sat on! You can get stands which screw onto your music stand or sit directly on the floor.
You can also get stands which support your flute and piccolo all in one! Like this stand, aptly names ‘Hercules‘!
COMES WITH: Lightweight design
FEATURES: Soft plastic coating that won't scratch your instrument
K&M compact stand
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- It folds up so small it can even fit inside your foot joint in your case so it takes up no room at all in your bag!
- Smart, black colour, great for concerts
- Can feel a little flimsy.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Extra accessories to consider
Cork or Joint Grease
Piccolos have a tiny bit of cork to help create a seal between the 2 parts of the instrument. Use cork grease to keep this well lubricated. This makes it easier to adjust the head joint when needed. It will also keep your cork in good condition which will ensure your sound is always your best.
Just be careful not to mistake it for chapstick….we’ve all done it and it doesn’t taste nice!
I would recommend this Vandoren Cork Grease. Nothing exciting. It just does the job!
Cleaning equipment
Piccolos need to be cleaned regularly to ensure they stay in the best working order. It is important to remove any moisture from inside the piccolo after playing.
You can use a traditional cleaning cloth and cleaning rod or if you’re feeling magical you can try a Cleaning Swab.
Lyres
Lyres are a great tool if you want to play your piccolo with a marching band. They attach to your piccolo and hold up the music so you can play and march at the same time! Great for busking as well. This DEG Lyre is particularly comfortable.
Tuners
Piccolos are famous for occasionally playing out of tune. It’s a good idea to work on intonation when you first get your piccolo to discover which notes need a bit of adjustment as you play to get the tuning right. An electronic tuner will be very useful for this if you don’t have a piano handy. I have the KLIQ tuner, which works very well.
Headjoints
If you want to upgrade your piccolo but can’t afford anything too flashy then consider upgrading your head joint and keeping your current body. Headjoints can dramatically change the sound you make. I’d recommend changing from a silver plated headjoint to solid wood when you can.
Mancke are a great headjoint brand. Their biggest selling point is that they have engineered their products so they fit with different makes of piccolos. They use a wide range of woods and headjoint cuts so you are bound to find something that you like.
Metronome
COMES WITH: A larger and more easily readable display
FEATURES: Timer, enhanced volume, and a useful 'sound-out' mode
Korg MA-2 metronome
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Has a Tap Tempo function, making it super easy to use
- Earphone jack with adjustable volume
- Stylish display
- Compact - so easy to travel
- None!
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Best Piccolo Brands
Summary
First step in finding your dream piccolo is to decide which brand to choose. Well known makers like Yamaha offer a great range of piccolos, Gear4Music is the very best at producing starter instruments, but there are also more specialist brands like Powell and Burkhart which offer professional models.
Some brands only make piccolos from a single material but others offer a wider range including wood, resin, metal and plastic. Think about the sound you want to make and where you will be playing your piccolo. Man made materials are much better for playing outdoors but wooden instruments make the best sound.
Some brands offer different headjoint cuts such as “wave” and “classic”. It is worth trying these different shapes as they are designed with different players in mind.
Although piccolos are one of the smallest instruments around, they can come with a big price tag! Make sure you decide your budget before you start shopping so you can find the best piccolo brands to suit your needs.
Good luck with your search, and remember to drop comments below!
BEST PICCOLO FOR BEGINNERS
Student Piccolo FC-100
We love this little instrument. It’s a fabulous starter Piccolo that we totally recommend.
BEST PICCOLO FOR INTERMEDIATE
Yamaha YPC32
Yamaha are such a trusted brand, and they deserve it – they produce consistently great instruments like this one.
BEST PROFESSIONAL PICCOLO
Sonaré 850 Series
It might be more expensive, but this is a really spectacular instrument.
Finally! An article about my favorite instrument! Loving the love for this underrated piece!
Hi Nathan, we love the Piccolo too! Glad you enjoy it as much as us…
Hi
Have you tried out the new student piccola from Travor James? They have a piccola called TJ 5x that I am curious about to try, but not so many stores are selling it. It would have been interesting to compare it with other composite piccolas. They also have a more expensive wooden piccola. I love their flutes but I havn’t tried out their piccolas.
Thanks for this interesting list. I think the best is to try out different piccolas but the tricky is to choose which I should try out.
Best regards
Johnna
Hi Johnna
Trevor James make amazing flutes and pics. If you’re unsure what to start with, I’d look at our Piccolo Buyer’s Guide here: https://teds-list.com/review/piccolo-buyers-guide/
Enjoy!