Abstract: A keyboard percussion instrument (100) generates sounds when keys (130) or other such members are struck. A movable damper bar (140) is brought into contact with the keys to artistically shorten their ringing duration. When pressed, a pedal (145) removes the damper bar from contact with the keys. When the pedal is released, a spring (1010) urges the damper bar into contact with the keys. The damper bar is supported by a pair of arms (165) that pivot about pivot points (800) at the ends of movable posts (520) that extend from a pair of pivot height adjusting mechanisms (175). Each pivot height adjusting mechanism has two adjusting screws. A first screw (510) urges a post to move up or down and a second screw (565) fixes the post in position when tightened. Adjusting the heights of the pivot points provides control over the damping of key vibrations.

Abstract: A vibrato assembly for a keyboard percussion instrument comprises a motor and a vibrato fan or disc assembly. A motor (510) is responsive to a controller (1000), a run/stop switch (1035), and a potentiometer (1020). Pulleys (100A, 100B?, 515) and a timing belt (520) couple rotation of the motor to an assembly of resonator or vibrato fans (720) via one or more magnets (120) or magnetically susceptible members to isolate vibrations. A sensor is activated by one of the magnets to sense the rotational position of a pulley when the fans are oriented vertically. When a run/stop switch 1035 is in a “stop” condition, sensor 525 signals controller 1000 to stop the motor, thereby leaving the fans vertical so that resonant tubes (725) are in an open condition when the vibrato function is stopped.

Abstract: An improved mallet for percussive musical instruments comprises, in one embodiment, a shaft (1100, 1200, etc.), an adapter or inner core (300, 1400), an elastomeric surrounding core (400), and an elastomeric core overlay (1200). Optionally a cover (1300), or optionally two simultaneously-wound layers of yarn or other wrapping material (1705, 1710) are attached over the assembly. The adapter or inner core and the elastomeric surrounding core are formed together in molds (700, 900). Yarns are wrapped either by hand or with the use of a wrapping machine comprising a rotary motive source, a chuck (1810), and wrapping arms (1825, 1830) for interweaving the layers of yarn. In an alternative embodiment the adapter has a through-hole to permit extension of the shaft through the adapter to near the top of the mallet head. Numerous percussive sound effects are achieved by selection of the properties of the adapter or inner core, surrounding core, overlay, and yarn layers.