Piccolos are small, high-pitched woodwind instruments known for their piercing sound in orchestras, marching bands, and military bands. They are often used to provide a melody or harmony in musical compositions. Some synonyms for piccolos include flutes, fifes, recorders, whistles, and penny whistles. Each instrument has its unique sound, but all of them share a similar high-pitched sound that can cut through a large ensemble. Some other related terms include piccolo trumpets, which are small trumpets designed to play in the same range as piccolos, and piccolo snare drums, which are small, high-pitched drums used in marching bands.