Do you practice the piccolo wearing some type of hearing protection? If so, what do you use?

Bill

I do indeed, especially if I'm doing high register work or for long periods of time, and I would highly suggest that anyone playing piccolo have ear protection available. I had only been playing for about 8 years (though I played picc quite heavily for 4 of those) when I started to notice some hearing loss in my right ear. I have a set of musician's earplugs, which reduce the volume of sound (as well as some of the highest frequencies) that reach your eardrum without distorting it, and thus help reduce damage. Most audiologists can set you up with a pair, but they can be a bit pricey. On the cheaper side, I have a set of "Hearplugs" (which you can get from Fluteworld quite cheaply) which do a pretty good job of letting you hear everything that's going on without the risk of high noise levels/frequencies. They're not as good or as comfortable as the custom made ear plugs from an audiologist, but unless you're going to be doing some serious picc playing, or just have some cash to burn, they're a much more reasonable purchase.

i noticed a significant change in my hearing in high school courtesy of piccolo playing. i currently have TERRIBLE hearing in my right ear because of it (to the point of me turning my head to point my "good" ear towards the television when watching it). i wear earplugs now (just those cheap foam ones) and my hearing certainly hasnt gotten much worse.

I forgot to add (and my edit button is MIA), that if worse comes to worse, use anything you've got to protect your hearing. As a musician, it's one of your biggest assets (if not THE biggest). Off the rack foam earplugs are better than nothing, though you will most likely notice some distortion or a lack of clarity in what you're hearing. If you can't find those, cotton balls or any other similar material can be utilized. It is very important that you protect your hearing, so especially if you'll be playing high for a long time or in an enclosed, echo-ey environment, be sure to have protection around.

I hate to admit this, but I only play the piccolo when in band practice and not at home. I practice the piccolo parts on the flute. My ears can no longer handle it after playing many years of it. If I must practice it at home I used silicone ear plugs and hand them out to my neighbors when I am at it. haha!

You bring up an interesting point, Kara (which I'm afraid will take me a bit off topic, so please forgive me). Some piccoloists believe the best results can be achieved by practicing picc parts on flute, or at the very least warming up on flute before playing picc. I personally regard piccolo and flute as two very different beasts which require different techniques to produce the desired effects, and have different strengths and weaknesses, as do many piccolo players. I like to practice on piccolo anything that I'll be performing on piccolo. This is especially important (IMO) if you'll be playing sketchy notes (top B's on many piccs, for example) or odd fingerings that might benefit from some alternate fingerings appropriate to the picc being tossed into the mix, as you need to find what it feels like to play all of this before you actually get to the rehearsal. Since every player is different, what works for some won't work for all, and I can definitely see upsides to practicing on picc (for instance, it saves your ears, as Kara noted), so in the end, the point is that for best results you need to experiment with flute, picc and a combination thereof and find the balance that is right for you.

If I was still serious about my playing then I would be practicing my piccolo at home. I agree with you that they are two different instruments and should be practiced as such. My hearing can't handle it anymore and I just don't plan on going any further with it. Piccolo is more for fun, flute is still part of my profession though, so I focus more on that.

Hearing protection for piccolo? Wow, that is a new one for me! I played in rock bands for years, and I understand in that situation, cause you can't tell a guitar player to turn it down, they only know how to turn it up. Those volume knobs only turn to the right, if you know what I mean. The piccolo is loud. It makes sense, but the first time I have seen or heard that one. I learned something new today...

Lesson 6345. Piccolo players should consider wearing ear plugs.

It's not necessarily the volume of the instrument (though that is also a factor), but the frequency at which it plays. Eventually it starts you wear down your ability to hear high pitches, and can result in some pretty major hearing loss over time. In my opinion, they shouldn't just CONSIDER wearing earplugs, they should make a habit of it. As musicians, our ears are our greatest asset, and it's a shame to lose them if we don't have to.

How about just sticking the ear plugs IN the piccolo on the end and embouchure hole. That would be a big improvement!

well when i played this one song in band called Gypsy dance i had to play the piccolo [pretty high noted too] and my friend sitting next to me i gave her an ear plug and i wore one to so it wasn't to loud for us

How about we stick those ear plugs in the oral cavity as well, that would also be a big improvement...in some cases...of course not in my case, I have only great things to say...LOL!

Thank you!!

Yes, Kara tooted her little lips off on that video...I have said it to her, she rocks on that stars and stripes vid!

Thank you! I suck now on the horrid beast! Must go practice.. eek!