PICCOLO HEADJOINTS
Burkart piccolo headjoints are carefully crafted to embody projection, clarity, and resonance.
By carefully selecting and aging the finest grenadilla wood, Burkart creates piccolo headjoints that are unsurpassed in tone and playability. To accommodate differences in the shape of the lips and direction of the airstream, Lillian Burkart has developed three distinct headjoint styles.
MINDY KAUFMAN
Solo Piccolo of the New York Philharmonic
“I’ve been playing my Burkart Piccolo in the New York Philharmonic for 30 years. It has great control, beautiful sound, and perfect intonation.”
exquisite
MATERIALS
African Grenadilla Wood
Much of the magic of the Burkart piccolo sound can be attributed to this notable material. The incredible density of grenadilla provides a desirable dark quality of sound for the highest member of the woodwind family.
All Burkart piccolo headjoints are made of hand-selected, aged African grenadilla to provide unmatched stability and complexity of sound. The inherent surface finish of grenadilla wicks moisture and requires no additional oiling.
Just as a flutist chooses gold for its sound and feel, piccolo players will enjoy the added depth of sound from a piccolo headjoint with a solid 14K gold fitting and ring.
handcut headjoint
Styles
BURKART
Versatile & Flute-Like
The rectangular shape of this embouchure is slightly overcut at the sides for an open, “flute-like” sound.
Our most flexible headjoint style, it can be pushed to the extremes of fortissimo without being shrill, while also easily producing a colorful, sustained diminuendo.
CLARION
FOCUSED & SWEET
This relatively small embouchure hole, with modest rounding of the edges, is reminiscent of early French and German piccolos.
For players using a small aperture, it will have the most stable, clear tone of the various headjoint styles- a frequent favorite of the piccolo professional.
WAVE
FREE-BLOWING & PROJECTING
The Wave headjoint profile is carved with a slightly higher front wall (the blowing edge) and lower back wall against which the chin rests.
It produces a very rich, clean, projecting tone, with easy control of dynamics. The low register is very focused, enabling good projection and articulation.
headjoints by
MANCKE
Authentic Mancke headjoints are available to pair with your custom handmade piccolo. Choose from three headjoint styles, including straight, medium wave, and wave-crest. Select styles are also available with Mancke’s signature 14k riser.
MATERIALS: GRENADILLA, MOPANE, ROSEWOOD
STYLES: STRAIGHT, MEDIUM WAVE, WAVE-CREST
CHOICE OF 14K RISER (Select Styles)
we’re happy to help