I also know quite a few flute players who aren't keen on the piccolo - personally I love it. I think people can get frustrated with it when they only play it occasionally/ when required or expect it to be just a 'small flute'. It does take time (and regular practise, like anything else) to get used to the whole new level of precision, the different peculiarities of tuning etc. There are definitely similarities with the top registers of the flute - good air support and a relaxed embouchure lead to a better sound. One tip I was given recently, which a friend picked up on a flute course, was to think of the diaphragm support feeling 'higher up' when playing picc and I've found that does make a difference. Fingering - obviously your fingers are closer together and your arms closer to your body, and there is a risk of becoming hunched or tense in this position (often the automatic reaction is to tighten everything when trying to play so high), so you may need to watch out for keeping your posture and hands relaxed.



I'm also not convinced that you could 'ruin' your flute embouchure, unless you're doing excessive amounts of picc - perhaps trying to do too much at first rather than the good old 'little and often'. Although you are using flute technique, I think it can be useful to think of it almost like a whole new instrument, and apply the same patience and small steps to learning it.



Generally - I agree with Flossie's advice. I also like Danielle Eden's book Piccolo! Piccolo! which has warm-up exercises and studies. I also started on a Yamaha YPC32 but now play a Pearl 105 which I think has a far nicer/ more mellow tone. The grenaditte material does seem to give a good compromise - nicer tone without the difficulties of playing a wooden instrument (another friend has a gorgeous wooden picc - the tone is amazing but the tuning is so tricky!). I find it easier to get that precision on the Pearl headjoint rather than the 'flute style' lip plates. But definitely try out a few and see what suits you best.

Insurance I was told yes..
I was looking at the big electric bike
attachicon.gif223061_265223990159811_7073625_n.jpg

but these look a good idea
attachicon.gif545221_423076514374557_1034631218_n.jpg

When I looked there showroom and workshop was not far from the South Bus Station [bKK] and no problem in a test ride.
Edit: efficiency 6 baht for 50 - 60 km......... friend has a big bike but cost 69,900 baht 18 months ago, very fast much faster then a petrol and bigger than a PCX.

This Minix Neo U9H was also selling at $299 during March show. If you buy just the box without the IPTV, then it is just $199. I didn't commit in March as I wasn't very sure. It took me 6 months from then to do some research on Android TV boxes before I decide to try on Minix yesterday.

The reason I'm willing to pay for it is presumably the after-sales support given by Amconics. Unless Amconics close shop, then I will LLST. There are many Android boxes in the market, some are so cheap that I don't even want to buy them.

Paying $299 is an expensive buy for me, but I will dump away my $50 monthly subscription from Starhub soon to offset the cost in long term.

My family now is enjoying the box with so many channels on the IPTV.