Writing Parts For Doubling

In writing out a part for a player switching between two instruments such as flute and piccolo,

what is a simple, standard way to instruct the performer ahead of time to put down one of the

instruments and pick up and get ready to play the other instrument?

For example: you write down "muta in piccolo", give the player a couple of bars of pauses and then just write picc. above the staff. And when you want him/her to play standard flute again, write "muta in flauto".

Also bear in mind the physical size of the instruments being doubled - it's easier to switch from piccolo to flute than from bassoon to contrabassoon, so the latter may need a longer time to get ready (meaning a few extra rests).

Would you write "muta in ..."    as far in advance as possible, even if there are very many

measures before the next line starts?

Just be reasonable man. Write the indication for putting down the first instrument as soon as they have to put it down. Put the indication for the new instrument above the first bar of the entrance of the second instrument.

Most parts that I have played that switch from trumpet to flugal and back have "To Trumpet" right after the flugal part is done and then again write "Trumpet" above the part to be played that way...

Thanks for the replies!

Another question concerning parts with doubling:  If the player does not play at the begining of the part, would you place

an indication at the begining to let the player know which instrument will be played first? If so, what is a traditional way of

indicating it?

Do you mean like a first flute part splits mid-way to flute and picc. or split solo part? If so just start it split and indicate which instrument is which.

This is personally how I would do it (also preferring the top option as a player). I'm not sure if this would be classified as the "traditional way" though.

Sorry, I didn't state the question clearly.

Imagine the part is for an orchestral piece, for a flute player doubling on piccolo.

The player doesn't come in untill the second page of the part. The first page is

full of bars with changes in meter and cues to help make sure the player doesn't

get lost.

Would you put at the begining of the part an indication of which instrument the

player plays first (flute or piccolo), to help prepare for it ?

I would as soon as they can switch and again right before they play.

I agree. What is a traditional indication to place at the begining of the part, so that the musician

doubling knows which instrument he will have to pick up first (imagine that he doesn't actually play

untill the second page of his part, the first page being full of empty bars with meter changes

and cues).

I usually write the name of the first instrument played right before the beginning of the part, regardless of it starting with rests. The name of the "alternate" instrument should be under the first one, perhaps in a slightly smaller font and between parenthesis. Example:

Flute 3

(Piccolo)

In this case, the third flutist is to double on piccolo, but he can expect to play flute at first.

I also specify the instrument after a series of rests. For example, I'll write "Fl. 3" over the staff right when he starts playing, even if I instructed the player "muta in Fl." a few measures earlier.