The unique sound that only wood can deliver.
The rich dark fullness of a wooden flute provided with the addition of a wooden head.
Headjoints created for the individual to suit the physical shape of the embouchure.
The concept of tone is different for every player; therefore the headjoint offers the first point of reference for the artist.
Every headjoint is uniquely different, by the very nature of wood.
Pete Worrell offers two main designs.
The Thinned head
Maximum response, power and agility.Thinned to leave a raised lip plate. Carved from a solid piece of wood.
Every embouchure is hand cut and finished.
The Solid head
A richness and depth of tone that only comes from wood.
Full wall thickness throughout.
Each headjoint is made from Grenadilla seasoned naturally for the minimum of 6 years (in most cases longer).
Fittings are of silver with a solid wooden stopper.
Options
Headjoints also made from Kingwood, Cocobolo, Boxwood and Rosewood. Other woods on request.
Fittings available in gold on request
Peter Worrell Headjoints are available from these stockists:
Thinned head in cocobolo.
"I have played on a Pete Worrell blackwood flute headjoint since September 2000, and I use it on a silver Brannen Cooper flute. It has the rich, dark, reedy tone that I look for in a wood headjoint. I like the degree of resistance retained in the wood and its well focussed voice. It is responsive and flexible, with good articulation and a comfortably shaped lip-plate. I also have a new one (July '03), especially made for my cocuswood Rudall Carte flute. This headjoint is blackwood too, and it seems even more vibrant."
Andrew Lane,
Principal Piccolo, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, UK;
Solo Flute, Berkley Salon Ensemble. www.berkleysalon.co.uk
As a piccolo player I have always been aware of the qualities of wood. I play a Pete Worrell headjoint on my white gold Murray system Cooper flute. This richness and depth only comes from wood. As an orchestral player it allows me to blend with my colleagues who are all playing wooden flutes.
Robin Chapman.
Worrell Design alto flutes are hand made to order.
Pete Worrell works exclusively with his clients to produce fine alto flutes which are not only sonically superior but also are of beautiful design.
Care
of your wooden concert headjoint.
Great care must be taken with your wooden headjoint to
prevent it from cracking.
Due to the difference in conditions it has to endure (hot/cold, wet/dry
etc) .
I recommend these simple procedures be carried out.
Breaking in a new head takes a while (3 to 6 months ).
Do not play for overly long periods until the wood has settled.
Warm the wood with your hands and blow air through the tube to slowly bring the wood up to room temperature before playing.
Always swab out the head with a lint free cloth after
playing.
Never return the head to the case if it has moisture in the bore.
When the head is new the bore will need oiling. Thread
a small piece of cloth through your cleaning stick. Place a small amount
of Raw Linseed Oil or Almond Oil on the cloth and insert into the bore.
Do not apply too much oil. When you can see a slight sheen to all of the
bore then you have applied the correct amount. Leave overnight. Swab
out any excess oil with a clean cloth.
This should be carried out at approximately 2 week intervals when the
head is new.
Continue every other month when the head is broken in.
Apply a light coat of oil to the external surface from time to time, again
removing the excess oil once a small amount has soaked into the wood.