How to Save Money for a Piccolo

How do you save money for a piccolo or any instrument, for that matter? You can save money for a piccolo just like any other big purchase.

But it can help to know how much you might need to save up. That way, you'll be able to get the perfect piccolo for you.

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How Much Does a Piccolo Cost?

Some piccolos cost much more than other piccolos. You can find a decent piccolo on the used market for as little as $300 or so. However, other piccolos cost close to $20,000.

The exact cost of a piccolo depends on the level of the instrument. Other factors can include the materials, craftsmanship, and specs.

Consider how much you can expect a piccolo to cost at various levels.

Student Level

If you're looking to start playing the piccolo, you should get a student instrument. For one, it will be easier to get a good sound on this level of piccolo, but you also won't have to save as much money.

Instead, you'll be able to buy a piccolo sooner. And the sooner you can get a good instrument, the sooner you can start to make real progress on the instrument.

Just like student flutes, student piccolos don't have a ton of features. But all you need to get started as a piccolo player is an instrument with the basics.

The average student piccolo costs about $300 to $1,000 or so.

Intermediate

After you've played the piccolo for a while, you may decide you're ready for an upgrade. You should know how seriously you want to take your piccolo playing.

That way, you can determine if you should get a wood model or stick with a composite option. Both materials can be great for the advancing piccolo player.

At this level, you have a few more options when it comes to customizing your piccolo. You can choose between a couple of different headjoint cuts, and you might have more brands to try.

You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 for an intermediate piccolo.

Professional

You've been playing the piccolo for a few years, and you know you want to take it really seriously. Even if you don't plan to become a performer, you might want to upgrade to a pro model.

Like professional flutes, professional piccolos have even more features and options that intermediate models. That can be nice when you want to get your ideal sound.

Some professional piccolos come in different woods, and they might have other unique features. At this level, a lot of piccolos are handmade.

Because of that production process and the variations, a professional piccolo can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 or $7,000.

Boutique

A sub-category of professional piccolos cost even more than other models. These piccolos offer even more specs and customizations, and they can be nice for professional players.

However, they do cost quite a bit more than other models. They might have solid silver keys instead of silver-plated keys, and you can choose from different keys to add to the body.

Keefe is one of the most well-known companies with piccolos in this price range. If you want to get a piccolo like a Keefe, you'll need to spend at least $7,000.

How to Save Money for a Piccolo

Now that you know a bit about how much piccolos cost, you should consider how to save money for a piccolo. That way, you can get the piccolo of your dreams without breaking the bank.

It may mean saving up for a few months or years. But if you want to take the piccolo seriously, you need the best instrument you can get.

Here are some of my best tips to help you save up for your next piccolo.

Determine Your Level

First, you need to figure out your level of piccolo playing. Even if you've played the flute for years, the piccolo can be quite different, so you should start with a student instrument.

However, if you have played the piccolo before, you might want to get an intermediate or professional model. Either way, those are going to cost more than a student piccolo.

Knowing your level can also help you figure out the specs you want your piccolo to have. Consider what material you want your piccolo to be and if there are any other must-have specs.

Set a Timeline

Next, take a look at your income and expenses for each month. Compare that to how much money you have in savings and how much you'll need to save to pay for a piccolo.

Ideally, you'll leave plenty of money in savings for other emergencies. So after you figure out a comfortable savings account balance, determine how soon you can get there.

Then, you can decide on a reasonable timeline to save money for your purchase. While you can finance a piccolo, it helps to at least have the money in case something happens to your job or something.

Break It Down

Use that timeline and the expected cost of your future piccolo to set smaller savings goals. For example, maybe you want to buy a $1,000 piccolo a year from now.

Divide that by 52 weeks, and you would need to save about $19 or $20 a week. That's a lot less intimidating than having to save $1,000 in a year.

You can then create a schedule to hold yourself accountable to saving money. If you don't think that will work, tell a friend or teacher, and they can help you stay on track.

Reduce Your Expenses

If you have extra room in your budget, the easiest way to save money for a piccolo is to get rid of some expenses. Consider things like going out to eat or going shopping.

You probably don't NEED to do those things, right? Look for other ways to cut back on your spending so that you can save enough money for your new piccolo.

Of course, lowering your expenses can be easier said than done. But anywhere you can save a few extra dollars can help you reach your goal of buying a new piccolo.

Save Your Change

Another way to save money for a piccolo is to put all of your change in a savings jar or account. Whenever you buy something, put the change into savings.

For example, if you spend $4.50, put the remaining $0.50 into a savings account. Doing this may not cover the entire cost of your piccolo, but it can help you save money.

You can also use other methods to save money, such as saving every $5 bill you get. That way, you can add up your savings a bit more quickly.

Pick Up Extra Gigs

Sometimes, you can't find any room in your budget to save money. At that point, you might need to start working a bit more so that you can make enough to save for a piccolo.

As a musician, you can take extra performance gigs. You can also take on an extra private student each week and save their tuition payments.

However, the gig you take on doesn't have to relate to music. You might decide to drive for Lyft or start freelancing with another non-music skill. Then, you make sure to save the money you earn from that.

Finance Your Purchase

If you need a new piccolo before you can afford to pay for one in full, consider financing. You may be able to pay for the piccolo over a few months, and some programs won't charge you any interest.

This can be a great option if you know you will have the money in a few months. If you're in school or otherwise need a better instrument, you can get the gear you need.

However, I wouldn't recommend financing a piccolo if you don't have any money. The last thing you want is for your new piccolo to send you into more and more debt.

How Will You Save Money for a Piccolo?

Knowing how to save money for a piccolo is crucial for any musician. While the piccolo is small, it can also get expensive, especially at the professional level.

Be sure you have a budget for your instrument, and consider how much you can save a week. Then, you can set a timeline that works for you.

Are you currently saving up for a piccolo? How are you saving money? Share your thoughts in the comments!