Yamaha Piccolo Adjustment

4159 Views 8 Replies 2 Participants Last post by SuiZen, Aug 25, 2007

SuiZen

Discussion Starter · Jul 30, 2007 (Edited)

I purchased a Yamaha YPC-62 (split E) piccolo on eBay.

I have a question about the adjustment of the E key. It is too high, but this doesn't affect its playability. The cork on the kicker is about 1/32" which is about the same as the D key kicker cork. It would take an additional 1/16" cork (total kicker cork 3/32") to get the key to the correct level. So, this is not the fix. If the fix is bending the key, how could it get so far out of adjustment? Is there another adjustment for this key?

The only other problem is the F/Bb key which requires "heavy" finger pressure to seal. The F# pad is okay, but it is not level in the cup. When the key is closed, cigarette paper does not experience enough resistance on one side of the pad.

I'll get these problems fixed by a repair person, when I locate one (I'm in New Jersey).

Bill

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Gordon (NZ)

· #2 · Jul 30, 2007

"If the fix is bending the key, how could it get so far out of adjustment? Is there another adjustment for this key?"

There are no adjustments for this (nor any other key!) on piccolo.
All of the many adjustments are made by location of pads within cups, bending, or thickness of corks. (BTW the last is not the way Yamaha does it - nor me.)

The adjustment in the case of your E key, is made by bending the stop with the cork on it, at the same time ensuring that the key cup arm is not bent at all in the process. (That would put several other adjustments out)

If you want to enjoy playing this piccolo, the sooner it sees a technician the better. Tiny leaks really muck up a piccolo's response.

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SuiZen

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 31, 2007

Gordon (NZ) said:
If you want to enjoy playing this piccolo, the sooner it sees a technician the better. Tiny leaks really muck up a piccolo's response.

Gordon,

I'm very anxious to get it fixed, but unfortunately my favorite tech is away for a couple of weeks.

I think I used the wrong terminology. Perhaps I should have used "key cup arm" instead of "key", & "stop" instead of "kicker".

Thanks very much for the reply.

Bill

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Gordon (NZ)

· #4 · Aug 1, 2007

Different folk use different terminology. No problem as long as we communicate.

BTW, the stop on that key usually bends very easily. And it probably got the way it is by forcing the key up up..

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SuiZen

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 23, 2007

Gordon,

Got the piccolo back from repair. F/Bb problem corrected.

The second octave Eb drops significantly in loudness, e.g., compared to the second octave D. If I roll the headjoint outward quite a bit, it comes in. It’s going back for repair, but I’m curious about the possible causes. What do you think?

Thanks,
Bill

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Gordon (NZ)

· #6 · Aug 23, 2007

Is the crown cork set up right, and leakproof at the end where it matters?
Does the Eb pad open far enough?
Are you fingering the note right, with your left first finger off?
Is it possible that your embouchure is lousy? (Is it possible the flute should be rolled out more ALL the time? - IMO a common issue for flute players going to picc, in order to avoid using the extra air pressure required from the lungs, and teaching the lips to cope with that pressure, turning it into airstream speed)

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SuiZen

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 24, 2007

Gordon,

I checked your suggestions and all seem to check out okay.

I did a blow test (held down keys with end covered). Blow seems tight, but suck seems to be drawing in air although ever so slight, and end suction is there, but not strong a strong "pop" when removed (may be hard for a novice to distinguish on a piccolo).

In general, piccolo plays well except for second octave notes which use right hand keys - Eb worst. Right hand, second octave notes, except for very weak Eb, are a bit subdued in volume and resistive.

I'm eager to hear what the tech finds, but that may take a week or two.

Thanks,
Bill

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Gordon (NZ)

· #8 · Aug 25, 2007

"plays well except for second octave notes which use right hand keys - Eb worst. Right hand, second octave notes, except for very weak Eb, are a bit subdued in volume and resistive. "

I think that is a weak area for ANY piccolo, anad needs to be overcome (as much as possible) with a very well developed embouchure.

BTW, is the embouchure hole itself clean and smooth?

Re leaks, If a piccolo is as leak-free as it needs to be, and your embouchure is up to it, you can block the lower end with a cork or something, and play a quiet note an octave below the normally lowest note. The slightest leak will make this impossible, but so will an unsuitable embouchure.

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SuiZen

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 25, 2007

Gordon (NZ) said:
BTW, is the embouchure hole itself clean and smooth?

Re leaks, If a piccolo is as leak-free as it needs to be, and your embouchure is up to it, you can block the lower end with a cork or something, and play a quiet note an octave below the normally lowest note. The slightest leak will make this impossible, but so will an unsuitable embouchure.

Gordon,

The embouchure hole is clean and smooth.

I can't play a note below low D with the lower end blocked. Can't do it with some pics I currently have for a trial either. The latter pics play easily with nice a tone throughout. So, my embouchure certainly needs improvement.

BTW: Reading your past comments on an old Haynes conical bore piccolo led me to the one I currently have on trial. Very, very nice, sweet sounding, & easy to play. I think this pic "ruined" my Yamaha embouchure.

Thanks again,
Bill

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