Glissando Headjoint® by Robert Dick

The Glissando Headjoint®, invented by Robert Dick, is a telescoping headjoint that transforms the traditional flute into an instrument capable of continuous pitch bends and smooth glissandi. Inspired by the whammy bar of the electric guitar, the design was developed in collaboration with Eva Kingma, Kaspar Baechi, and Bickford Brannen.

The headjoint consists of a high-performance sterling silver inner tube that slides within a carrier sleeve, extending or shortening the instrument’s effective length. Two curved wings extend from the lip plate to rest against the player’s cheeks, allowing comfortable movement while maintaining embouchure alignment.

In its home position (fully closed), the flute functions as a traditional Boehm instrument, playable across the standard repertoire. By sliding the headjoint to the right, the performer can produce continuous glissandi— typically up to a major third depending on the note. For instance, middle C can descend smoothly to A-flat, while low B glisses down to a strong low A.

The Glissando Headjoint® offers new expressive possibilities, expanding the flute’s capacity for pitch flexibility, color variation, and vocal-like inflection. It has been used in works by composers including Salvatore Sciarrino, Ken Ueno, Marc Sabat, László Sáry, Marcus Schmickler, and Jakob Ullmann, among others.

Materials and Construction:

• Sterling silver inner headjoint with a contemporary cut
• Carrier tube for sliding mechanism
• Cheek wings for embouchure stability
• Adjustable fit for different flute brands and tuning positions

Today, the Glissando Headjoint® is produced under Robert Dick’s name and remains one of the most distinctive modern developments in flute design, bridging classical, jazz, and experimental performance.