Abstract: A tuning device measures and displays a deviation between a fundamental frequency of a music signal and a standard reference frequency. The tuning device has a meter having a graduated display and a movable needle, one or both of which are provided with a fluorescent substance. An LED emits energy effective to cause the fluorescent substance to emit light to illuminate the meter display thereby making it easy to tune a musical instrument in poorly lighted or dark locations. The fluorescent substance of the graduated display may emit light of the same or a different color from that emitted by the fluorescent substance of the needle indicator.

Abstract: A drum hoop includes an annular ring having inward and outward faces and a plurality of flanges formed on the outward face projecting radially outwardly from the lower edge. A plurality of parallel visual guidelines are formed on the inward face of the ring positioned parallel to a reference plane formed by the lower surfaces of the flanges.

Abstract: A high hat stand keeps high hat cymbals straight on a floor, and crashes the top cymbal against the bottom cymbal in response to player's fooling, wherein a toggle joint is connected between an extension rod connected to the top cymbal, a foot board depressed by the player and a stationary frame so as to achieve a large magnification ratio between the force exerted on the foot board and the force exerted on the extension rod, thereby improving the response to the player's footing.

Abstract: A quick disconnect that enables a drummer to quickly remove and apply tension to a drumhead of a drum is provided. The disconnect is operable with many types of drums, such as a conga drum. The disconnect allows a drummer at the end of a playing session to quickly release tension from the drumhead and thereby preserve the head and the barrel portion of the drum. Further, when the drummer wants to use the drum again, the quick disconnect allows the drummer to quickly reapply tension to the drumhead, wherein the tension reapplied is substantially the same as the tension applied immediately prior to the previous release of the disconnect.

Abstract: A drumhead for use in a percussion instrument is composed of multiple (e.g., two or three) plies of synthetic resin films, which are laminated together and are brought into close contact with each other when stretched across the opening of a hollow cylinder of a drum, for example. At least one air evacuation hole is formed at the center of the backside synthetic resin film or in proximity to the center of the backside synthetic resin film. Therefore, when the drumhead is stretched outwardly along a diameter direction of the opening of the hollow cylinder of the drum, remaining air between the films can be reliably evacuated from the air evacuation hole towards the exterior of the drumhead. Thus, it is possible to reduce unwanted loss in transmission of vibration between the films of the drumhead when beaten; hence, it is possible to realize good sound quality in the drum.

Abstract: A portable information terminal device has a plurality of casings providing a front surface and a rear surface, respectively. The casings have walls defining spaces in which speakers are housed and thicker than walls thereof that define a space in which a component including an internal circuit is housed. The walls defining the spaces in which speakers are housed are prevented from causing resonance due to vibrations of the speakers. The walls that define the space in which the component including the internal circuit is housed may be of a minimum thickness required irrespective of resonance caused by vibrations of the speakers. With the above arrangement, the portable information terminal device is small in size and weight.

Abstract: A stabilizer for a tremolo bridge prevents disablement of an instrument in the event of string failure. A cam, operated by the player, serves to support a tremolo bridge such that pre-failure tuning of the remaining strings is restored. A method is disclosed for stabilizing a tremolo bridge, comprising steps of ascertaining the normal position of the bridge with strings intact and the tremolo not actuated, providing a retractable stabilizer capable of maintaining the bridge in that position, and selectively using the stabilizer to oppose disabling movement of the tremolo bridge in the event of a string failure, or for purposes of facilitating tuning of the instrument. Novel designs of the components of the stabilizer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pad for musical wind instruments with improved acoustic qualities. The acoustical improvement is achieved by providing a superior sound reflecting surface on the film or skin of the pad that engages with the tonehole. A lubricant for the sealing surface of the pad to prevent the pad from sticking to the tonehole rim. An outer retaining ring used to fasten the film to the pad while an inner collar supports the film and helps to create a smooth pad with a flat surface.

Abstract: A reversible seat cup allows free floating or fixed positioning of the seat cup, depending on application. For applications where the cymbal needs to be rigidly held, such as China cymbals, and/or minimal stand noise is essential, such as symphonic performances or studio applications, the seat cup can be positioned with the convex side positioned downward and “locked” firmly to the threaded post. A rubber O-ring on the threaded post fits into a receptacle in the seat cup to provide secure attachment and silent action. For applications where the cymbal, such as crash cymbals, needs freedom of movement, the seat cup can be positioned with the convex side positioned upward. A cavity on the opposite side allows the seat cup to float on the rubber O-ring for optimal cymbal sound. The plastic-type material of the seat cup and the rubber O-ring provides silent action and freedom of motion.

Abstract: A plastic template is disclosed with elongated slots and circular holes in it. The template can be put on a piece of paper and by running pencil through the various slots, all of the scales, chords, and intervals can be produced on the paper to form a guide. The guide can then be moved along the space between the keys and the fallboard of the piano, so that all of these scales can be played by anyone placing their fingers on the keys indicated by the lines on the guide. The edge of the template has small notches in it, so that marks can be made for the lines for music staves which can then be drawn. The template has circular holes in it above the slots. The circles can then be used by placing them over these lines and then marking them with a pencil to indicate various notes of the given musical structure.

Abstract: There is provided a performance apparatus that is capable of reducing mechanical noise by a simple construction. Rotary picks are disposed in the vicinity of and in association with respective ends of a plurality of reeds, and four driving nails are formed integrally with outer peripheries of the rotary picks. A hook part is attached to the top of a plunger, and they make reciprocating motions together. The rotary pick is rotated by a driving force applied to the driving nail thereof from an engaging part formed by a lower end of the corresponding hook part. When the driving nail located symmetrically to the driving nail having received the driving force plucks the corresponding reed, the reed is sounded. The hook part is almost completely covered with a cushioning member formed of an elastic material such as rubber to absorb an impact that may occur when the driving nail of the rotary pick comes into contact with the hook part.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a guitar pick holder is made of a thin, flat, and visually appealing flexible magnet which adheres to a front outside surface of a guitar. A guitar pick which is used with the holder is made of a synthetic material but also includes a magnetically receptive material (e.g. iron) formed on or within the synthetic material. The guitar pick is magnetically held against a front magnetic surface of the flexible magnet and is thereby carried with the guitar, even when it is subject to relatively strong forces of accelerative motion (i.e. when the guitar is physically handled or shaken).

Abstract: A tension adjustment mechanism for a stringed musical instrument suitable for use on a tailpiece assembly comprises a pivoting member (such as a string receptor), an adjustable stop, and a lever handle engaged with the pivoting member. The pivoting member preferably has a post for securely receiving an end of a string and an elongate arm. Placement of the handle in a first position preferably causes the adjustable stop to engage and depress the elongate arm of the pivoting member, thereby increasing tension on the string. Placement of the handle in a second position preferably causes the adjustable stop to disengage the elongate arm of the pivoting member, thereby allowing the pivoting member to return to its original position, and decreasing tension on the string. A fine tuning adjustment may be included in the tailpiece assembly. The adjustable stop and/or fine tuning adjustment may comprise adjustable screws.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus for musical instruments such as pianos, organs, clavichords, and harpsichords, and methods for making and using the apparatus. The apparatus includes a frame assembly, a plurality of keys, a plurality of lever assemblies each operably connected with its corresponding key, and a main fulcrum that together replicate the touch of an acoustic piano keyboard. It can be used in electronic and acoustic instruments, can be adjusted to simulate the feel of a selected type of keyboard instrument, and is simple and cost-effective to manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of using a punch for cutting one or more guitar picks directly from an identification card. The punch includes a holding portion positioned on one side of the identification card and a die or blade portion aligned with the held identification card. The die or blade portion has the shape of a guitar pick. The holding portion has a corresponding recess formed therein in the shape of a guitar pick. When the punch is aligned with the recess in the holding portion and the two halves are brought together with an identification card therebetween, a guitar pick is punched out of the identification card material. The identification card may be positioned such that the resultingly produced guitar pick prominently displays a portion of the identification card logo (i.e. Visa®, Mastercard®, or the like), includes the security hologram, includes the name of the card holder, etc. In this way, the guitar pick may be customized or made to have a pleasing design element.

Abstract: A chinrest pad system designed to hold a standard chinrest used with a string instrument that minimizes dampening of vibration and prevents damage caused by the metal components touching the edges of the instrument. The system includes pads located under the support surface of the chinrest member and on top of the lower lip plate used on the lower clamping member. The pads are specifically designed to partially engage the instrument's upper and lower edges and match the curvature of instrument surface immediately adjacent to the edge. Each pad also includes a rear extending lip that bends slightly around the upper or lower edge and extends rearward to prevent the metal rods used with the turnbuckles from contacting the rear surface. During assembly, the pads are positioned over the upper and lower edges so that the compression forces exerted by the support surface and the lower lip plate are centrally located over the sidewall transverse axis, thereby minimizing dampening of vibration.

Abstract: A tunable drum is shown having a hollow drum shell, and imperforate drumheads closing the ends of said drum shell. One or more opening extend through the drum shell for acoustic venting, and valves are provided for adjusting the size of the openings to vary the amount of acoustic venting, and consequently the volume, pitch, tone, timbre and stick response of said drum. The valves may be slide valves movable, e.g., slidable or pivotable, between an open and a closed position. A preferred valve consists of a ring member positioned for rotation inside said drum and slidable endwise of the drum to cover or uncover said drum openings, or the ring member may have openings that match the drum openings and operable to cover or uncover the openings or rotation. A handle for rotation of the ring member extends outside the shell for movement by the drummer.

Abstract: A muffler for quieting the operation of a pneumatic tool. In one embodiment the muffler (630) is disposed within a volume defined by a peripheral wall (612) that receives an exhaust stream. An upper plate (631) having several open tubes (632) is disposed in the volume. Each tube is has an intermediate blocking plate (634). A plurality of sound-deadening panels (636) is disposed below the upper plate. The panels have apertures that slidably engage the tubes. A lower plate (650) is disposed below the tubes. The lower plate includes a plurality of apertures (657). One or more diffuser panels (652, 654) is disposed beneath the lower plate. An external exhaust vent (670) closes the volume. In operation, the exhaust enters the volume, is directed through the tubes, then into the sound-deadening panels, back into the tubes, and through the diffuser panels.

Abstract: Shoulder rest for use with violin is disclosed. The rest includes a base including two half portions each including a central channel, a guide rail along either side of the base, a rack rail at either side of the channel, and two half sections each comprising clamping means; a support including a leg inserted into the channel, two latched members slidably fastened at underside of the channel, and two toothed stops engaged with the rack rail; and pivotal means comprising a body having a top hole for receiving a threaded stem of the clamping means, a parallel snapping element, and a bar interconnected the body and the snapping element, the bar being pivotal about a cavity of the support having a bifurcation sandwiched by the body and the snapping element. Two side flanges of the support are mounted to the guide rails. Thus, the support is moveable along the channel.

Abstract: The drum pedal stabilizer is designed to eliminate the problems of beater dropout, pedal and beater oscillation, drum head retrigger, tempo influence and jitter feel on drum pedals and beaters. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a stabilizer having a mounting plate and a gas spring adapted for attachment to a drum pedal to counteract oscillation of the conventional helical spring. The stabilizer may be an aftermarket attachment to conventional drum pedals, or may be incorporated as original equipment in new drum pedal assemblies.