A few words from flute players about my headjoints:

sideblown
 
there is magic in the flute
found somewhere inside the soul
and released through music into thin air
 
what can bring it out nobody knows
yet when it sings, we all know it is there,
the real thing, incarnate

stevetung
april 11, 2009
arlington, Virginia

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Nothing like the warmth and bounce of this boxwood head.

Gary Schocker

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David Chu makes some of the most unique wood headjoints I've ever played. They feel like they are made by a person with a great understanding of the properties of different woods, as well as an appreciation for the sound of older instruments (among other great things, French flutes such as Louis Lots and traversos). His design is innovative, aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to play. I'm very happy with the headjoint he made for me: boxwood with and oval-ish embouchure hole. I'd never seen a boxwood headjoint made for a modern metal flute before David's. It has a distinctively "traversoey" quality and is very full sounding. Can't wait ‘til he makes.....a flute!

Keith Underwood

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I recently bought one of David Chu's boxwood wooden headjoints. It is lovely to look at, and plays beautifully.

I have already played it in the New Jersey Symphony, and received very good feedback. It makes a mellow, dark sound and blends easily with winds and strings. It has a fine range of colors, and I look forward to playing it for a very long time.

Bart Feller
Prin. flute, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Prin. flute, New York City Opera
Faculty, Pre-College Division, The Juilliard School
Faculty, Rutgers University

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Both the Concert and Alto flute headjoints I have, made by David Chu, are of the highest quality and have broadened the tonal range available to me, particularly in the world of session recording. I'm able to offer composers different sounds and tonalities and they are therefore invaluable additions to my flute arsenal.

Andy Findon
www.andyfindon.co.uk/

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I own a fantastic headjoint with a bamboo lipplate made for me by David Chu which I use on my Haynes and Louis Lot flutes. David creates a variety of wood headjoints in a choice of contemporary and traditional styles which capture a wide spectrum of timbre and response. His craftsmanship as a headjoint and flutemaker is comparable to today's finest makers such as Haynes, Sheridan or McKenna.

Alan Weiss,
Artist-in-Residence, William S. Haynes Company

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Unlimited possibilities!

True works of art in every detail sculpted in unusual woods. Each one comes alive under David's craftsmanship, possessing and speaking with a unique and appealing palette of colors; impressive dynamic range, purity, subtlety, and nuance, allowing me to experience a natural sense of oneness with the instrument and the music. What every performer seeks! Unlike many modern makers of the day, David has captured the beauty and anatomy of sound reminiscent of the old great master flute makers. Bravo! and thank you David. I can't wait for your wooden flute to be born!

Joseph Trent
New York City Freelance Flutist

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I have tried several of David Chu's beautiful to look at and great sounding headjoints. I finally chose a Boxwood for my old Powell which made its maiden voyage with two performances of the Beethoven Serenade. The sound of this headjoint is rich and buoyant and possesses considerable dynamic range. The quality of articulation and tone can easily blend with the strings and yet it stands out beautifully as a leading voice. It is very fun to play.

Thank you, David, for such great work.

Susan Palma-Nidel
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Faculty of Columbia University and Montclair State University

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I have found the ideal headjoint of the alto flute. It was David Chu’s headjoint. It has a deep, powerful sound and a rich color. It satisfies me with the charm of the alto flute, which Theobald Boehm loved. And, it will realize my wish with the orchestra and the ensemble.

Thank you, David.

Shigeki Tsuruoka
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra Flutist, Yokohama Japan

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I now depend on the accuracy and voicing of David Chu head joints and flutes to enhance my musical performance. Each instrument in every material, hardwoods; metals and bamboo, is a beautifully crafted art-work.

J D Parran

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I recently asked David to make me a head joint for a very old Haynes piccolo that I own (which had only a silver head). Since he has an appreciation for the sound of the older instruments I thought it would be fun to see what he came up with. I am so glad I did! Wow!!

Mary Kay Fink
Piccoloist, The Cleveland Orchestra

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I have the ongoing rewards of owning a thinned grenadilla head joint made by David Chu. The craftsmanship is impeccable and it is beautiful to behold. I use the head joint with a Rudall and Carte Radcliff system cocuswood flute and I find it to be a continual source of timbral and expressive discoveries. I am so very grateful to David that his experience, skills, insights and love of the flute are manifest in a head joint that I can own. 

Tim Lane

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Recently David impeccably overhauled my Powell and suggested I try his custom grenadilla headjoint. I was instantly amazed at the warm, flexible, complex tone I was able to achieve. Owning it has been a life changing experience. Everyday I look forward to exploring the new possibilities that have emerged within my flute playing. Tone, texture, articulation, phrasing have all been enhanced. Simply put, David, with his incredible, artisan skill, has magically increased my passion to excel both as a performer and educator.   

Lance Van Lenten
Associate Professor
Woodwind Department
Berklee College of Music

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Many wood headjoints today are + modern-sounding ;. Davids headjoints are unique because they offer the true essence of a natural woody sound. He has been inspired by the great Louis Lot tradition and one can really hear it when playing his headjoints. I play his grenadilla headjoint when I need mellow round colors, and when the repertoire does not call for bright, harsh sounds. Many thanks for your wonderful work David!   

Gaspar Hoyos
Premihre Fl{te de l'Orchestre Symphonique et Lyrique de Nancy

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Partial List Of Players Who Play David Chu Wood Headjoint

Gary Schocker - Flutist, composer

Keith Underwood - Flute teacher

Ransom Wilson - Yale University, conductor

Mary Kay Fink - Cleveland Orchestra

Bart Feller - New Jersey Symphony, New York City Opera

Andrew Sterman - Philip Glass Ensemble

Gaspar Hoyos - l'Orchestre Symphonique et Lyrique de Nancy

John McMurtery - New York City Opera, University of Nevada

Janet Arms - The Hartt School of Music, New York City Opera

Susan Palma-Nidel - Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Columbia University

Mary Kay Robinson - Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Cleveland Institute of Music

Katheleen Nester - New Jersey Symphony, NYU

Alan Weiss – Haynes Artist-in-Resident

Andy Findon - London freelance musician

Lawrence Feldman - Broadway musician

Les Scott - Broadway musician

Susan Rothloz - Columbia University, Vassar College

Shigeki Tsuruoka - Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra

Tara O'Connor - Purchase College Conservatory of Music, Bard College

Patty Ferrell - San Francisco Opera

Peter Ader - Santa Fe Opera

Patricia Zuber - Santa Fe Opera

David Whiteside - National Philharmonic Orchestra

Gyula Czeloth-Csetényi - Flutist, flute teacher Hungary

Russell Itani - Danish National Symphony, Royal Danish Academy of Music

Paula Bing - Juilliard School of Music MAP

Phil Ayling - LA freelance musician

John Neufeld - LA freelance musician (arranger for John Williams)

Joseph Trent - New York freelance musician

JD Parran - New York jazz musician

Lance Van Lenten - Berklee College of Music

Claude Rozier - New York jazz musician, Flute Center of New York

Ron Korb - Canadian flute soloist, Grammy winner, composer

Tim Lane - University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Dawn Walker - Carmel Bach Festival Orchestra

Robin Peery - Carmel Bach Festival Orchestra

Frances Lapp Averitt - Maryland Symphony Orchestra

Mary Boodell - Richmond Symphony

Beth Bryngelson - Illinois Philharmonic

Andrea LeBlanc - Boston freelance traverso player


For more information please e-mail david at sideblown dot com