A piccolo (/ˈpɪkəloʊ/; Italian [ˈpikːolo], lit. "small", Neapolitan [ˈpɪkkələ]) is a small member of the woodwind family. It is about half the size of the standard transverse flute/concert flute. Its sound is therefore an octave higher than the concert flute.
The piccolo is used in many different types of music. It is a common instrument in symphony orchestras, concert bands, marching bands, and woodwind quintets. It is also used in many jazz bands, folk bands, and rock bands. Some well known classical pieces that feature a piccolo solo are:
* Vivaldi: piccolo concertos in C major, A minor and C major
* Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, Suite No. 2, and Christmas Oratorio
* Handel: Messiah and Music for the Royal Fireworks
* Mozart: piccolo concerto in C major
* Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5, 6, and 9
* Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 and "Italian" Symphony
* Bizet: Carmen
* Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture and Symphony No. 4
* Mahler: Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7
* Puccini: La Boheme and Tosca
* Verdi: Nabucco and La Traviata
* Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra and Der Rosenkavalier
* Wagner: The Ring Cycle
The piccolo has also been used in a number of popular songs, including "When I'm 64" by The Beatles, "Sledgehammer" by Peter Gabriel, and "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson.