Re: Long notes for Piccolo?

Thanks to everybody for your advice.

I should clarify--I realize that it's impossible to have an inaudible attack at that high pitch. I shouldn't have used the term 'inaudible.' But can the note begin quietly enough that it would be masked (or mostly masked) by a 24-piece string ensemble sustaining midrange notes at mp-mf?

Also, how about the duration of the notes--is this too much for a flutist's lungs?

Thanks,
chris.



Afoklala wrote: 
Op Fri, 27 Jan 2006 21:04:51 -0800 schreef Melodious Thunk:


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

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. 


I agree. And the same for the flute question. At that height, that is
simply not doable.

.