Abstract: In combination with a drumstick used for playing a drum, the improvement comprises an apparatus for teaching a novice the proper technique for holding a drumstick. The apparatus includes at least one aperture disposed in the drumstick and an elastomeric member engageable with the aperture and having a loop on each side of the drumstick for engagement with a user's thumb and ring finger.

Abstract: A compact furnace having three main chambers. In the first chamber, the water and the organic compounds are dissociated and vaporized and the metals and ceramics are vitrified and transformed into molten slag. A plasma torch or an induction coil can be used to provide the energy required for this operation. In the second chamber, the dissociated and vaporized compounds are burned in air or oxygen using a plasma torch to supplement the energy requirements. The third chamber receives and stores the vitrified slag. The furnace has a lightweight, multi-layered, air-cooled chamber wall construction that incorporates layers of advanced materials to provide both structural integrity at elevated operating temperatures and includes a dynamic cooling control element.