Imagine putting your piccolo away only to open it up next time and find a dreaded crack in the wood. Had you known how to store your piccolo, the crack might not be there.
While you can’t always prevent stuff like that, it never hurts to try. So read on for some of my favorite ways to store your piccolo.
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How to Store Your Piccolo Overnight
One of the most common ways you need to store your piccolo is in a way where it will be safe at night. Now, this is also one of the most important because it can affect how well your piccolo holds up over time.
I’d recommend the following options for overnight storage of your piccolo.
In Its Case
It sounds obvious, but when you’re done playing the piccolo for the night, you should put it in the case. I know some people like to leave their instruments out, even when they’re sleeping.
That might be okay for some instruments, but I wouldn’t recommend it for flute and piccolo players. If your room gets really cold at night, the wood could crack, for example.
Also, if you have pets or kids that can access your practice area, they could damage the piccolo. Even if pets aren’t in the room overnight, any pet hair that’s floating in the room could settle and get into the piccolo mechanism.
It’s just not worth the risk to leave your piccolo out, even on a stand, for the night.
In a Secure Bag
Sometimes, keeping your piccolo in its case isn’t enough. When I’ve been out of town with my piccolo, I’ve typically kept in in whatever bag I used to store the piccolo during my travels.
But even when I’m at home, I may keep the piccolo in a larger flute or music bag. This doesn’t work with a flute bag, but if you keep your piccolo in a backpack, people may not know it’s a backpack.
So if someone happens to enter your room, they might not think to look inside the bag. They may think you just have some papers or cheap books inside.
Of course, it’s not fool-proof, but it’s better than just leaving your piccolo out on a desk or table.
In a Locker
When I was in college, I had a locker in the music building on campus. That made it super easy to store my flutes and piccolos safely but also be able to access them.
Now, I was lucky enough to not have a roommate. But if you do have a roommate (and don’t particularly trust them), a locker is vital for keeping all of your instruments safe.
Most music schools have lockers of all different sizes, so you can get enough space for all of your belongings. Then, you also won’t have to worry about walking across campus late at night with your piccolo and risk it getting stolen.
How to Store Your Piccolo While Traveling
Especially if you’re a music major or a flute teacher or performer, you’ll probably eventually have to travel with your piccolo. I’ve done so multiple times, and I’ve had to store my piccolo safely along the way.
Consider the following options to help keep your piccolo secure.
In a Secure Bag
I’d suggest storing your piccolo in a larger bag of some sort. For example, I’ve traveled with my piccolo in my flute bag as well as in a backpack and a larger music bag.
At least when it came to the backpack and large music bag, it’s not apparent that a piccolo is inside. That can give you some extra security knowing that people shouldn’t be looking at your bag as something to steal.
On the other hand, the nice thing about some flute bags is that they’re insulated. So if you have to wait outside for a while, the insulation can protect your piccolo from the temperature and humidity.
You can add a lock to the zipper to make it even more secure. But make sure it’s easy to open, especially if you’re flying.
On Your Person
I’ve taken my piccolo on dozens of road trips, even short ones between college or grad school and my hometown. I know that it can be tempting to leave your piccolo in the car when you use the restroom.
However, it’s not worth risking the loss of your instrument. The piccolo is small enough that you can carry it inside a gas station or rest stop while you use the restroom or get some water.
I’d also keep my piccolo on me at all times when flying. You never know what someone may try to grab, even if your piccolo is in a larger bag.
In a Safe
Another option for how to store your piccolo while traveling is in a safe. If you bring your piccolo with you but need to run out to get some food quickly, you can put the piccolo in a hotel safe, for example.
But maybe you’re going on vacation and don’t need your piccolo. You can leave it at home, such as in a safe you purchase for yourself.
However, I’d recommend renting a safe deposit box at your local bank. These boxes require two people to open, and any good bank will check your ID to make sure you’re authorized to access the safe.
How to Store Your Piccolo During Rehearsal Breaks
Maybe you’re playing the piccolo at a rehearsal or practicing at home. You need a break but aren’t quite ready to pack up for the day.
Here are a few ways you can safely store your piccolo for the next 10 to 30 minutes.
On a Stand
I love using a piccolo stand during rehearsals, especially when I have to switch between the piccolo and flute. But you can also use your piccolo stand during a rehearsal or practice break.
Your piccolo will sit upright, so it’s a lot safer than resting it on your chair or the table of your music stand. I like to put my piccolo stand right by my music stand as well.
That way, if people walk by my spot, the music stand will be tall enough to force them out of the way. So it can keep my piccolo safe while I get some water or use the restroom.
My favorite stand to use at rehearsals is the K&M Piccolo Stand. At home, I use a piccolo peg on my larger Hercules Alto Flute Stand since it accommodates my piccolo, C flute, and alto flute.
In the Case
If you don’t have a suitable piccolo stand, I’d recommend storing your piccolo in its case. Most piccolos are easy enough to disassemble and then assemble after your break.
Yes, you’ll have to tune the piccolo again, but that shouldn’t take too long. Plus, I’d rather tune my piccolo a second time than risk the piccolo getting damaged because someone pushed it over.
You can put the piccolo case in your music bag or leave it on the floor under your chair. Either option is going to be much safer than leaving the piccolo out.
Why Safe Piccolo Storage Matters
Knowing how to store your piccolo safely comes with a couple of benefits.
First, it’s vital if you have a wood piccolo. If you don’t store your instrument properly, the piccolo could be affected by temperature changes or humidity levels. Then, the wood can crack, and it’s happened to a lot of us (including myself).
Regardless of the piccolo material, improper storage can also increase the chances of your piccolo getting stolen. This is especially true when you’re traveling or even just at school or regular rehearsals.
Final Thoughts
If you don’t already, you should know how to store your piccolo. That way, you can keep it safe overnight, while you’re traveling, and when you’re in the middle of a practice session or rehearsal.
Fortunately, you have multiple storage options, so consider a few to determine which works best for you.