The bane of flutists is that amidst the imposing sonority of the orchestra, their beloved instrument is inaudible except when the orchestra is silent. But what’s worse is that in their effort to be heard, flutists sometimes force the instrument’s sonority, often compromising its beauty. These problems don’t affect the piccolo, an instrument just over twenty centimeters long, which makes itself heard with its ringing, almost impertinent notes within the instrumental ensemble of the large orchestra. And for the same reason, the piccolo finds its place in bands, where it courageously challenges the powerful ensemble of brass instruments.