Understanding the Piccolo and Flute

Roma Duncan, a piccolo player at the Minnesota Orchestra, shares her musical journey from learning the flute at age 11 to focusing on the piccolo. She explains the piccolo's characteristics, its similarities to the flute, and how sound is produced. Roma demonstrates the piccolo's range and concludes with an invitation to Orchestra Hall.

What instrument does Roma Duncan primarily play in the Minnesota Orchestra?

• Violin

• Piccolo

• Trumpet

• Clarinet

At what age did Roma Duncan start learning the piccolo?

• 11 years old

• 14 years old

• 16 years old

• 18 years old

What is the piccolo made of?

• Metal

• Plastic

• Glass

• Wood

Which family of instruments do both the piccolo and flute belong to?

• String

• Brass

• Percussion

• Woodwind

What part of the piccolo is responsible for splitting the air to create sound?

• The keys

• The body

• The sharp edge in the wood

• The head joint

How does the piccolo produce different notes?

• By altering the air pressure

• By changing the length of the instrument

• By pressing different keys

• By adjusting the mouthpiece

Why is the piccolo considered the highest instrument in the orchestra?

• It has the most keys

• It is played with a special technique

• It is made of wood

• It is the smallest instrument

What precaution does Roma Duncan suggest when starting to play the piccolo?

• Use a metronome

• Wear an earplug

• Practice in a quiet room

• Start with a teacher

What does Roma Duncan hope the audience learned from her presentation?

• Something about the piccolo

• How to play the flute

• The differences between woodwind and brass instruments

• The history of the orchestra

Where does Roma Duncan invite the audience to visit?

• Her hometown

• The local band program

• The music school

• Orchestra Hall