The term 'sopranino', an Italian diminuitive form of 'soprano', is most commonly used to describe the instrument of the recorder family which measures roughly 9" and sounds an octave above the treble recorder. Played skilfully, it produces a sweet, clear tone which carries well across other recorders in an ensemble. However, Handel calls upon it to join the other orchestral forces in Acis and Galatea, as the flauto piccolo.
Its range lies between F'' (the second F above middle C) and G'''' (fourth G above middle C) - reaching a pitch even more ear-piercing than the six-inch garklein flötlein, due to the less complex fingering involved in reaching these notes. Music is notated in the treble clef, and sounds an octave higher than written.
Other instruments that bear the term 'sopranino' include the sopranino guitar (roughly 26" long and playing an octave above the traditional guitar) and the saxophone.