Headjoint

Embouchure hole shape, size, angles, position, lip plate radius etc. These are all just a few of the details that must be perfected to produce a responsive headjoint that still provides finesse and balance, warmth and power. The Dana Sheridan Series headjoint is executed exactly from a design provided by Dana Sheridan after decades of careful research and headjoint making. Dana has worked extensively with Brio! master makers in Elkhart, Indiana to perfect the headjoint. A carefully considered lip plate radius aids responsiveness. The wall height is assembled to .001 inch accuracy, as are the important angles of the riser. Finally, the hand finished undercut provides the final touch to each headjoint. The result is a professional head joint with balanced resistance, and a pallet of tonal colors within the players reach.

Dana Sheridan

No other aspect of the flute remains as elusive to perfection as the headjoint. For many generations, there have been philosophies of design which highlight characteristics important to one school of playing or another. There is a commonly held belief that no one headjoint can embody the flexibility required for diverse play. However, there are a handful of master makers who craft small quantities of headjoints which do just that, and Dana Sheridan has been the leader among them for 25 years.

Dana Sheridan began his career as a flute maker in Boston in 1972, working for the Wm. S. Haynes, Verne Q. Powell, and Brannen Brothers flute companies, before introducing Sheridan flutes and headjoints in 1982. Professional players all over the world perform on his instruments and head joints, and he remains one of the most respected makers in the world.

In 2005, Brio! Flutes collaborated with Dana to produce a head joint of his design which provides many of the sought after professional playing characteristics of his rare headjoints at an incredibly affordable price, available only on the Brio! flute.