Press

"Piccolo" / conical piccolo only to the low d¹:



The Braun piccolo has been on the market since 1985.
This instrument is used by a large number of leading soloists and orchestral flautists, and is currently considered one of the best piccolos in the world.
This instrument was commissioned by the flutist Michael Hasel (then new member of the Berliner Philharmoniker / chief conductor Herbert von Karajan) and built with his cooperation. It is designed for a relaxed and open playing style.
Entirely new calculations led to a particularly well-tuned instrument with only one C tone hole for the thumb key ("Briccialdi" thumb key).

 This method of construction, which is very close to the acoustic conditions and expression of the big flute is unique in wooden piccolos.

The chief characteristics of Braun piccolos are:

• excellent intonation and tonal balance
• big, focused sound, especially in the low and middle registers
• easier response, especially in the difficult third octave
• the new scale makes (like on the big flute) the high G# facilitator no longer necessary.

Sound samples


"Small flute" / conical piccolo flute down to low c¹

Is a conical Piccolo and has the same noted range as on the concert flute.


The "small flute" is on the market since October 2010.
It is a further development of the Braun Piccoli produced since 1985.
This instrument was developed on behalf of Rolf Bissinger (member of the Städt. Oper Frankfurt / Main) and with his cooperation. In the test phase, Prof.Michael Hasel was involved cooperatively, who played it at the Berliner Philharmoniker and gave valuable information about it.
The playing experience of the small flute is similar to that of a concert flute.

The chief characteristics of the "Small flute" , compared to the"Piccolo" are:

• Greater tonal volume and therefore also a more pleasant sound,
  especially in the third octave.
• The tonal balance in all three registers is much better.
• Easier response/articulation, especially in the third octave.
• Much more special grips of the big flute are possible to use.

Sound samples

Cylindrical Piccolo flute down to low c¹

In search of the best-sounding C-foot piccolo, a cylindrical boehm piccolo (already sought by Th.Boehm) down to the low c¹ and with one thumb hole was designed and successfully built. Registered as a patent on 11th March 1998 and accepted on 23rd Sep. 1999.

However the cylindrical piccolo, for example in the opera and symphony orchestras, is the conical inferior. In terms of:

• timbre / richness of tone
  
• tonal balance in all three registers and
  
• tonal integration in the orchestra / woodwind.

Because of these disadvantages, and our limited production capacity, we have not yet included it in our production.

Sound samples


Specification for Braun Piccolos:

Grenadilla/African blackwood head and body:

• headjoint with "A.Braun" modified-wave embouchure which is smooth where the lips touch
• 925 sterling-silver mechanism
• with split E mechanism (without split E mechanism is not made!)
• fitted with "A. Braun" silicon piccolo pads

 

Wood:

The basis for the exceptional quality of Braun wooden flutes and piccolos is the selection of high-grade woods.Thus only carefully-selected, well-seasoned, extremely close-grained and attractive black African grenadilla/African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon) with excellent tonal qualities is used.

A. Braun pads for piccolo

These pads are made of a material insensitive to moisture and with a coating on the side facing the tone hole. The coating consists of silicon rubber, which has a microstructured surface. This structure is similar to the surface qualities of the wooden bore, thus ensuring the deadening of undesirable high frequencies.

The new construction of the pad creates:

• a quick, powerful, clear response
• a particularly well-structured and beautiful sound
• a very pleasant feel
• reliability of the padding as a result of the insensitivity to moisture and stable shape of the silicon-rubber layer
• long period of usage without adjustment

Special models, such as instruments with open G-sharp key or other customised features can be planned and manufactured.

Pitch

Flutes and piccolos can be supplied with scales at the following pitches: a' = 440 Hz or 442 Hz or 444 Hz

The basic pitch facilitates unproblematic playing within a ± 2Hz range, according to personal playing style.

Customising

Within a year of purchase, the instrument supplied will upon request be customised to suit the individual's personal playing style. Leather case with a padded cover.

Accessories