McKenna

Founded in 1994, McKenna Flutes, Inc. considers every instrument created to be a work of art. Mr. McKenna puts something of himself into each instrument, while keeping in mind that the instrument is for the player. Chris McKenna, president, is a flutemaker, inventor, composer and musician. He has designed and manufactured professional flutes for more than 20 years and continues to explore, research and develop new ways of working with sound to create non-ordinary states and reveal mind-body relationships, as well as researching applied physics and acoustics. Chris has studied with John Moses, Jimmy Meyer, Andre Lizotte, members of St. Louis and Boston Symphonies and attended Berklee College of Music.

Research in materials has always been an important part of McKenna Flutes’ journey. The dynamic flexibility between density and other variables has always been a pursuit as evidenced by Chris’ research into mouthpieces made from a wide variety of materials including nickel, brass, titanium, lead, wood, phenolic, paper, paper mache, bamboo, rhubarb, PVC, ABS, graphite, acrylic, terra cotta, porcelain, lead crystal, quartz and others. McKenna flutes has been on the forefront of proving that the combination of flute headjoint and body, as purchased from one of the major companies, can be improved upon by finding the perfect balance between the individual's technique, headjoints from other manufacturers and the flute body. This is in contrast to assuming that the capability of the flute body is idealized when paired with the manufacturer's provided mouthpiece. Concentrating on headjoints, Mckenna Flutes has developed a range of designs and materials with the versatility to be married with all makes of flutes as well as the flexibility to accommodate both student and professional musicians.

  • Bracelet - Flute Mechanism Charms

    Bracelet - Flute Mechanism Charms

    Five sterling silver mechanism components descend from a sterling silver chain, with alternating smooth and textured links. Sterling silver mechanism components: mechanism lever, rib, trill key, B foot lever, and key rest. Chain 7 1/2 inches in length.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum.

    • $240.00
  • Earrings - Dangle Bushings

    Earrings - Dangle Bushings

    Sterling silver French bushings on sterling silver French loops. Bushings are mounted underneath open-hole keys to hold pads. Bushings 7/16 inches in diameter.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum.

    • $50.00
  • Earrings - Helix

    Earrings - Helix

    Palladium spring wire twisted into a helix, descending from sterling silver French loops. 2 1/8 inches in length. Incredible elegance.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum.

    • $40.00
  • Earrings - Hitching Posts

    Earrings - Hitching Posts

    Sterling silver flute hitching posts and palladium spring wires. The charm on the end of these lovely earrings are the posts on a flute that hold the keys onto the body at each end of the rod.  Sterling silver chains that are light weight and slide easily into any pierced ear. A lovely way to wear your instrument without being so obvious while enjoying the knowledge that you are a true flutist.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum Music Company.

    Front chain and post 2.5 inches in length; back chain 1.65 inches in length.

    • $50.00
  • Earrings - Miniature Trill Cup

    Earrings - Miniature Trill Cup

    Sterling silver trill keys descending from sterling silver French loops. A lovely set of earrings for anyone while a flutist will know they are a lovely part of the flute to others they are a simple stunning piece.

    Trill keys are 1/2 inch in diameter. A subtle musical accent.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum Music Company.

    • $90.00
  • Earrings - Piccolo Buttons

    Earrings - Piccolo Buttons

    Sterling silver finger buttons mounted on sterling silver posts. Charming and softly elegant.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum.

    • $60.00
  • Earrings - Piccolo Ribs

    Sterling silver piccolo rib on sterling silver French loops. Flute rib is 1/2 inch in diameter.

    Great for any piccolo player to "wear" their instrument in a fashionable way.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum Music Company.

    • $70.00
  • Earrings - Posts

    Sterling silver flute hitching posts and palladium spring wires. The charm on the end of these lovely earrings are the posts on a flute that hold the keys onto the body at each end of the rod. A lovely way to wear your instrument without being so obvious while enjoying the knowledge that you are a true flutist.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum Music Company.

    • $50.00
  • Earrings - Shooting Star

    Earrings - Shooting Star

    Sterling silver hitching posts with three embedded and curved palladium spring wires each. Sleek and fashion-forward.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum.

    • $80.00
  • Earrings - Silver Chime

    Earrings - Silver Chime

    Sterling silver key tubing mounted on palladium spring wire and sterling silver French loops. Earrings 2 11/16 inches in length. Pair with the silver chime necklace for a complete look.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum.

    • $70.00
  • Headjoint - McKenna Sterling silver M Series with 18k Gold riser and 14k Adler wings (Demo Sale)
    • 15% OFF

    Headjoint - McKenna Sterling silver M Series with 18k Gold riser and 14k Adler wings (Demo Sale)

    McKenna Sterling silver Classic cut M Series flute headjoint with an 18k Gold riser and 14k Gold Adler wings.

    All our used, pre-owned, and demo instruments are fully serviced before made available for sale. They are disassembled and cleaned; cork replaced, pads and leaks fixed; and fully re-assembled and re-adjusted.

    We also provide a six-month warranty on further adjustments or issues with corks, felts, or pad seating for all our used, pre-owned, and demo instruments.

    • $2,380.00
  • Headjoint - McKenna Sterling silver with 14k Gold riser and Mother of Pearl Button (Demo Sale)
    • 15% OFF

    Headjoint - McKenna Sterling silver with 14k Gold riser and Mother of Pearl Button (Demo Sale)

    McKenna Sterling silver flute headjoint with a 14k Gold riser and Mother of Pearl button in the crown.

    All our used, pre-owned, and demo instruments are fully serviced before made available for sale. They are disassembled and cleaned; cork replaced, pads and leaks fixed; and fully re-assembled and re-adjusted.

    We also provide a six-month warranty on further adjustments or issues with corks, felts, or pad seating for all our used, pre-owned, and demo instruments.

    • $2,125.00
  • McKenna Headjoint M Series

    • $2,500.00
  • Necklace - G Sharp Key

    Necklace - G Sharp Key

    Sterling silver flute G# key. Sterling silver diamond cut chain with clasp. A bold comment on your instrument of choice.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum.

    • $130.00
  • Necklace - Miniature Pointed Trill Cup

    Necklace - Miniature Pointed Trill Cup

    Sterling silver trill key with French pointed arm. Black rubber necklace with a sterling silver magnetic clasp. Necklace 16 inches in length. Casual yet sleek.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum.

    • $100.00
  • Necklace - Piccolo Cup

    Necklace - Piccolo Cup

    Sterling silver piccolo key on a thin silver chain with clasp. Piccolo key 11/32 inch in diameter.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum.

    • $90.00
  • Necklace - Silver Chime

    Necklace - Silver Chime

    Sterling silver key tubing mounted on palladium spring wire descends from a black rubber necklace with a sterling silver magnetic clasp. Necklace 16 inches in length. Pair with the silver chime earrings for a complete look.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum.

    • $100.00
  • Necklace - Trill Lever

    Necklace - Trill Lever

    Sterling silver trill lever on a thin sterling silver oxidized chain with clasp. Refined curves and cut.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum.

    • $90.00
  • Silver Key French Cufflinks

    Silver Key French Cuff Links

    Sterling silver key cufflinks. 11/16 inch diameter. A subtle yet elegant statement.

    Exclusively designed and handcrafted by McKenna for Carolyn Nussbaum.

    • $110.00
  • Simply Flute Headjoint by McKenna

    When we play, a 'V' shape of condensation is created on the lip plate at the front. Looking closely at the more conventional headjoints, this 'V' tends to never complete its journey to arrive at its lowest point. Once the air arrives at the front edge of the lip plate, with no further support, it disperses; effectively falling off a cliff edge and dying. 

    The Simply Flute by McKenna solves this problem with an almost continuous lip plate, allowing air to complete its natural journey.

    How is the Simply Flute by McKenna headjoint different?

    • A focused and centered sound with noticeably less air noise
    • An extraordinary range of dynamics, in particular at the pianissimo end
    • Ease of playing, depth, and control in the bottom octave
    • Crisp, clear, and immediate articulation


    Paul Edmund-Davies has used the Simply Flute headjoint on the soundtracks for James Bond: No Time to Die, Wonder Woman 1984, Blithe Spirit, and The Prom.

    • $3,500.00