Re: Long notes for Piccolo?

In article
<haberg-2801060043040001@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
haberg@xxxxxxxxxx (Hans Aberg) wrote:

> In article <tcednZMiZ_zMAEfeRVn-iQ@xxxxxxxxxxx>, Alabaster
> <noemail@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > Is it realistic to ask a piccolo player to hold a D (written 3 spaces
> > above the staff, sounding 8va) for 16 seconds (on one breath)?
> >
> > Is it possible to start this note at pp, and slowly crescendo to mf or
> > f? I'm looking to create a "fade-in" effect, with the piccolo slowly
> > emerging over a sustained string ensemble. I'd like the attack to be
> > inaudible, or at least hidden behind the sustained strings.
> >
> > Same questions for a flute, playing high B (5 lines above the staff).
>
> From my experience of playing the flute, I would say that how long time
> one can play with no breath at all in general depends on the flute player
> (lung capacity and perhaps other factors, such as the lips), whether the
> flute player stands up or sits down, the flute (piccolo demanding less
> air, successively more for the larger ones), and the playing dynamics you
> are calling for. You should perhaps consider two flutes alternating, but
> not in the highest register, which can cause beats. As an alternative to a
> full breath, one can take a short one, which can make the break fairly
> transparent. Of course, a full breath will be required every once in a
> while, lest one will suffer from lack of oxygen.

I've played flute & picc extensively, and I'd say that a double-p
entrance w/crescendo held for sixteen seconds is a tall order,
especially with an 'inaudible' attack. Couldn't do it myself, though on
winds I'm strictly semi-pro.

I'd say that, even for pro's, picc is extremely difficult to get an
'inaudible' attack with.
.

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