How to Care for a Piccolo

The piccolo is similar to the flute except it is smaller and has a higher pitch. It's very easy to transport because of its small size. The piccolo needs regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it sounding good and make it last. Follow these steps to clean and care for a piccolo.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Use a soft cotton cloth to clean a piccolo after each use. Take care to keep the pads dry.
2. Keep piccolo tenons clean and dry. Wipe the tenons and sockets they fit in with a soft cloth.
3. Push the cleaning cloth through the body and foot joint with the cleaning rod. Spin the rod until you see the cleaning cloth come through the embouchure.
4. Store a piccolo in its case unless you are playing it or holding it between playing. Lock the case securely before picking it up.
5. Schedule a checkup. A piccolo needs a checkup at least once a year by a qualified technician to replace worn parts and make adjustments.

Tips & Warnings

• Have the piccolo oiled about once year by a professional. The keys may stick because they need cleaning rather than oiling.
• Oil the bore once a month for six months if you have a wood piccolo. Put a little bore oil on a cloth swab and draw it through your piccolo. Take care to keep oil off the pads. After six months, oiling the bore once every few months should be sufficient.
• Warm a wood piccolo with your body before playing or it could crack.
• Do not use metal polish on a piccolo.
• Don't leave a piccolo in extreme temperatures, such as a hot or cold car.
• Don't store anything else inside the case. A cleaning cloth stored in the case leaves moisture near the piccolo and the cloth can't dry out between uses.
• Don't grease or oil the tenons.