AboutJoe Piccolo Expertise all things related woodwind repair and maintenance.
I do not accept qustions regarding serial numbers and the value of new/used flutes.
Experience Repair at the Balanced Scale is not Sax Pads considered in terms of “good enough” for a student instrument and meticulous for the professional. Traditional and time-tested materials and practices are coupled with modern band instrument repair tooling, techniques, and materials to provide excellent repair for all instruments.
Organizations Part of a Larger Organization
N.A.P.B.I.R.T. (National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians), of which I have been a member since 2004, is an international professional association comprised of musical instrument repair technicians from all over the world. A network of colleagues, mentors and friends, the Association encourages the continuing growth of the industry’s knowledge base through its newsletter, yearly conferences, and workshops.
Education/Credentials Continuing Education - Student for Life
In 2004-2006, I attended and completed the practical portion of a highly specialized program focusing on brass and woodwind repair at Keyano College. The Music Instrument Repair Program (M.I.R.) is the only one of its kind in Canada. The Program offers students a comprehensive foundation of repair theory coupled with practical application followed up with industry feedback and guidance.
During my time at Keyano, I developed a deep interest in flute repair. In 2007, this interest took me to Straubinger Flutes in Indianapolis, Indiana where I received specialized training and certification for the installation and servicing of Straubinger pads.
Experience and Training at a Glance
Straubinger Flutes, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
2007 – Straubinger Pad Certification
Keyano College - M.I.R. Lab, Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
2004-06 - Student Shop Assistant
Tool Trade, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
1993-2004 - All aspects of manual machining related to the tooling industry:
Precision grinding
E.D.M. (electrical discharge machining)
Layout and inspection
Hand polishing
Spotting and fitting
I.S.O. training
University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada
1990-92 - Music Education
Question I know that marching with a wooden piccolo is not a good idea at all, but its really my only option. My school bought a wooden one, and the only other one is metal, about 10 years old and has a smashed headjoint. When its raining, I always take the smashed one out, but I can't get many notes out. What temperatures are considered "safe" to take a wooden piccolo out in? Any other tips to keep it from cracking or otherwise breaking? Thanks so much!
The bast temperature for you Piccolo is room temperature. Extreme heat/cold and dry/humid conditions are a receptive for heartache.
A few hints, if you HAVE to go out in the cold with your pic introduce your instrument to the extreme temperature gradually; in the case for an hour if you can. The idea here is to let the instrument gradually acclimatize to the cold. When your finished playing do the opposite; introduce the pic to the inside temperature in the case, slllllllowwwwwly.
Keeping your instrument at a steady humidity will help to keep it from cracking...once again this is NOT the ideal situation for a marching band.
Eliminating condensation will assist in maintaining your pic. Remove your head and take an eyedropper with some bore oil. (almond oil will do) Hold the pic on an angle and let a drop of oil "track" or run down the bore of the instrument, avoid the G# and the D# pads. The oil will assist the moisture that collects on the bottom of the instrument to exit the pic quicker.
And as always swab your instrument out after every use and never store a wet cleaning cloth in the case.
As for oiling the bore if the instrument there is MUCH debate as to how often and what kind of oil to use; as this is the school's instrument I will deffer to your teachers opinion.
Good luck with your pic, and best wishes for great notes.
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