The Quena flute, an emblematic instrument of the Andes, is distinguished by its unique mouthpiece, which plays a crucial role in producing its characteristic sound. Made with grenadilla or mopane wood, these notched heads have a simple but ingenious design, allowing you to give a completely different sound to your flute.
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The embouchure of the Lavoie quena heads consists of a V-shaped notch, located at the upper end of the instrument. To produce sound, the musician gently blows on this notch, directing the air across the sharp edge of the notch. This process requires precise mastery of lip position and breath control. Unlike recorders, where sound is more easily generated, quena embouchure requires refined technique and increased sensitivity to achieve the desired notes.

This particularity of the mouthpiece gives the quena a soft, airy and slightly melancholy sound, which evokes the vast Andean landscapes and the ancestral traditions of the region. Mastery of embouchure allows the musician to vary the intensity and timbre of notes, adding emotional depth to the music played. By blowing harder or softer, and changing the angle of the air, the player can explore a rich and expressive sonic palette.

The history of the Quena, dating back several millennia, shows that the art of playing this instrument has always required an intimate connection between the musician and his instrument. The Andean peoples used the quena not only for everyday music, but also for rituals and ceremonies, where the mouthpiece played a central role in creating the sacred and contemplative atmosphere.

Lavoie Quena headjoints
The Lavoie Quena flute headjoints are made from pieces of grade B grenadilla that have been dried for more than 5 years. The ring is made of Aluminum and has the advantage of remaining shiny and polished for a very long time compared to brass. The tenon is made of brass, guaranteeing durability.
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It is strongly recommended that you purchase our protection and maintenance kit**. This will allow you to keep your head in good condition and keep it in good condition for decades. The protection and maintenance set consists of a case, an oiling stick, a cap adjustment stick, a wiping stick and a cleaning wipe. wiping.
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** See our maintenance package
*** See the list of dimensions of the most popular flute tenons.
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Technical Specifications:
- Materials: grenadilla (Dalgerbia melanoxylon) dried for more than 5 years
- Bagues et Tenon : Aluminium et Brass
Avantages :
​- Sound similar to the original Shakuhachi flute
- Powerfull sound and projection
- Exceptional projection
- Competitive price