Flauto piccolo

As Printed on a Score

Labels the piccolo staff as Flauto piccolo, Fl. picc., or simply Piccolo / Picc. Often the second or third flutist plays it, so the change is printed in the flute part — “muta in Fl. picc.”, and back with “muta in Fl. grande” — and the player needs a few bars of rest to switch. Notes are written an octave below the sound.

Abbreviations: Fl. picc., Fl. pic., Fl.picc., Picc., Picc

Also spelled: Flauti piccoli, Piccolo, Flute piccolo

How Composers Use It

Written in treble clef an octave below sounding, from about D4 to C7 written, so its top notes are the highest in the orchestra. It is brilliant and piercing in the top octave and thin, easily lost, in the bottom one, which is why it usually doubles a flute or violin line an octave up rather than carrying a soft melody alone. Use it for glitter, military color and the crest of a tutti; Beethoven held it back for the finale of the Fifth. A quiet solo needs a very light background.

Example

Dvořák, Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”), first movement, flute part, m. 195: “Fl. II. muta in Fl. picc.” — the second flutist takes the piccolo, and seven bars later “muta in Fl. grande” sends the player back.

Related Terms