Abstract: A keyboard with adjustable touch for a musical instrument, each key being a lever divided into front and rear arms, front arm forms on its upper part an operation surface and its lower part interacts with a centering guide, and the rear arm comprises, on its upper part, a counterweight and its lower part interacts with a stop each key comprises a key magnet (KM) mounted on the rear side, facing another magnet (SM) that is mounted on a regulation device which is affixed to the musical instrument chassis, the magnets (KM and SM) are substantially placed face to face, opposed by their equivalent polar faces, the relative position they have to each other is set by the regulation device and generating the effect on the keyboard touch.

Abstract: A drum, including: a shell; at least one head; and a vibration damping portion including at least one of (a) an outer-surface facing surface which is disposed in substantially parallel with and is closely opposed to an outer surface of an outer peripheral portion of the at least one head without contacting the outer surface and (b) an inner-surface facing surface which is disposed in substantially parallel with and is closely opposed to an inner surface of the outer peripheral portion of the at least one head without contacting the inner surface.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic percussion instrument that is capable of simulating a playing technique for an acoustic percussion instrument. A tubular body part is opened on an axial end surface, and a head is attached to the axial end surface to be struck on the front surface. A capacitance sensor includes an electrode that generates a capacitance with respect to a detected conductor, such as a human body, positioned on the front surface side of the head. Because the capacitance sensor detects a change of a capacitance corresponding to a distance between the electrode and the detected conductor, whether the detected conductor approaches (contacts) the head or presses the head can be determined. As a result, the playing technique for the acoustic percussion instrument is simulated.

Abstract: An adapter device is disclosed for removably securing a carrying strap to a guitar or other musical instrument provided with a strap mounting button. The adapter device includes a housing defining a cavity for receipt of a clamp member movably mounted to the housing. The housing has a strap stud and a threaded nut for securing the housing to the carrying musical instrument. The clamp member has an elongate slot for receipt of a shaft of the mounting button of the musical instrument. The clamp member further includes an enlarged cavity for receipt of an enlarged circular head of the mounting button to prevent the mounting button from pulling out of the slot in the clamp member. A latch member is movably mounted to the housing and movable from an unlocking position to a locking position covering the clamp member and securing the clamp member within the cavity of the housing. tab is provided on the latch member to secure the latch member in the locking position.

Abstract: A snare drum having an improved throw off includes a strainer shaft and a strainer bar both extending through the interior of the drum shell. The strainer bar is linked to the strainer shaft, a snare assembly is connected to the strainer bar, and a handle rotates the strainer shaft which moves the strainer bar and snare assembly between an upper position in which the snares of the snare assembly are engaged with the bottom head of the drum, and lower position in which the snares are disengaged from the bottom head. The snares are in parallel relation to the bottom head of the drum throughout the range of movement between the upper and lower positions. In one embodiment, the drum comprises a wood laminate and the top and bottom shell caps comprise carbon fiber.

Abstract: A mute for a brass instrument includes a body and a locking mechanism. The body includes a sheet of rollable material configured to roll into a cone shaped mute. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the rolled sheet of rollable material as the cone shaped mute. The mute may be transported or stored in a flat form of the body. The body has a substantially semi-circle shape when flat that is configured to roll into the cone shaped mute. The substantially semi-circle shape of the body has an outer diameter when flat configured to create an open end of the cone shaped mute when rolled into the cone shaped mute. The open end of the cone shaped mute is sized to match a rim of a bell of the brass instrument.

Abstract: A foot-operated pedal for programming audio and other effects, including an HMI or Human-Machine Interface that digitally communicates with a CPU, providing the parameters of effects set by the user, where a PC Interface is responsible for the mediation of the communication between the CPU and an external computer used to program the settings and adjustments of the device, with the audio interface having the function of promoting the compatibility between the electrical signal from the musical instrument and the CPU. A graphical user interface to facilitate the creation of an audio effect using icons, a given configuration of icons and interconnections being modeled and employed to generate a given audio effect.

Abstract: A compact assembly for retaining a bass drum in position on a playing surface while it is played by a drummer seated on a drum stool. The compact assembly includes a mat component having a length and a width. The length of the mat component is sufficient to allow both a bass drum and a drum stool to be operatively positioned on opposite ends thereof while the mat component is disposed in an open operative configuration. A retention component comprises a retention member secured to a portion of one end of the mat component, and a cushion member is affixed to at least one side of the retention member. The cushion member engages a portion of the bass drum when the bass drum is disposed in an operative orientation on the mat component, thereby retaining the bass drum in position while a drummer is playing.

Abstract: A hands-free music notation display system for playing digital sheet music. The system includes a tablet that displays digital sheet music and houses the system's operating components therein. The housing within the tablet includes a communication link connecting the tablet to one or more foot controls. The foot controls provide the ability for a user to display the next or previous page on the tablet with his or her foot, thereby permitting the user to remain hands-free to play an instrument. The tablet includes a plurality of buttons that permit a user to load and play sheet music thereon.

Abstract: A drum beater shaft with a flexible coupling means disposed between the base portion of the shaft and the head portion of the shaft is disclosed. The base portion of the shaft is fixed and hingedly attached, typically, to a pedal operated actuator. The head portion of the shaft contains a striking device used to contact the drum when actuated by the pedal. In one preferred embodiment, the flexible coupling means disposed between the base portion and head portion of the drum beater shaft takes the form of a spring surrounded by an elastic sheath. In another preferred embodiment, the flexible coupling means takes the form of a universal joint surrounded by an elastic sheath, In yet another preferred embodiment, the flexible coupling means takes the form of a ball an socket joint surrounded by and elastic sheath.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing musical data, which includes a glove equipped with touch sensors and a terminal device. In the glove there are touch sensors in at least two rows the format of a selected musical scale, which touch sensors are arranged to be pushed with a finger of the other hand, connection means for connecting the touch sensors to a selected terminal device in order to produce musical data according to the format. The touch sensors are arranged in such a way that in an order from the index finger to the little finger, the tips of the fingers correspond to the consecutive notes of a first octave C, D, E, F, so that the semitone E-F is located between the ring finger and the little finger.

Abstract: A musical instrument, having; at least one solar panel which corresponds to the body of the musical instrument, where the at least one solar panel is outwardly facing the sun; a battery to store solar energy; a power control board; an amplifier; an interactive display for monitoring a plurality of levels corresponding to a variety of components of the musical instrument; a strap connected to the musical instrument; the strap has at least one solar panel; at least one speaker for emitting sound; a bridge; a port; a stand, where the stand has at least one solar panel; and a carrying case; where the carrying case has at least one solar panel.

Abstract: A drum beater shaft with a flexible coupling means disposed between the base portion of the shaft and the head portion of the shaft is disclosed. The base portion of the shaft is fixed and hingedly attached, typically, to a pedal operated actuator. The head portion of the shaft contains a striking device used to contact the drum when actuated by the pedal. In one preferred embodiment, the flexible coupling means disposed between the base portion and head portion of the drum beater shaft takes the form of a spring surrounded by an elastic sheath. In another preferred embodiment, the flexible coupling means takes the form of a universal joint surrounded by an elastic sheath, In yet another preferred embodiment, the flexible coupling means takes the form of a ball an socket joint surrounded by and elastic sheath.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a first magnet and a second magnet spaced from the first magnet in a repulsive relationship. A rod is configured to be secured to a musical instrument and is in a corresponding relationship with the first and second magnets. The corresponding relationship is defined as the movement of the rod corresponds to movement between the first and second magnets.

Abstract: A drumming system includes a percussion instrument; an inserting/retracting coupled to the percussion instrument for moving the first percussion instrument to a desired position with respect to a second percussion instrument; the inserting/retracting mechanism including a motor, an input device for receiving an operation instruction and generating an operation signal based on the operation instruction, a feedback mechanism for obtaining position information of the first percussion instrument and generating a feedback signal representative of the position information, and a controller electrically coupled to the input device, the motor, and the feedback mechanism for actuating the motor based on the operation signal and the feedback signal.

Abstract: The invention presented herein allows efficient modification of endpins for musical instruments such as cello or bass that use cavities in one or more components that accommodate filler material. The filler materials are composed of materials that affect the acoustic outcomes. The user can modify the endpin acoustic outcomes relatively quickly by changing the filler composition until a desired acoustic outcome is achieved. This allows various acoustic outcomes using the same shape, materials, and construction for the endpin components. Several embodiments are illustrated for endpins, pedestals, stringed instrument sound posts, interior blocks, bass bars, speaker legs and the like.

Abstract: The embodiments herein provide a system and method for instantly switching sound pickups in an electric guitar using a spin wheel arrangement in the middle of a song. The spin wheel houses a pickup assembly with multiple pickups. The spin wheel allows a guitar player to easily roll neck pickup to bridge position and bridge pickup to neck position in middle of a song by rotating the spin wheel. A click stop arrangement halts wheel rotation after completing a semi-circular rotation around a center screw. The backend portion of pickups is connected to spring loaded plunger. The contact pads at bottom portion of guitar body establishes electrical connections between pickups and control components. The pickups under the strings get activated. The spin wheel arrangement allows a guitar player to add favorite pickups for generating various tonalities beyond the limit of a single guitar.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to use predicted actions in VR environments are disclosed. An example method includes predicting a predicted time of a predicted virtual contact of a virtual reality controller with a virtual musical instrument, determining, based on at least one parameter of the predicted virtual contact, a characteristic of a virtual sound the musical instrument would make in response to the virtual contact, and initiating producing the sound before the predicted time of the virtual contact of the controller with the musical instrument.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at methods, apparatus and systems for implementing an improvised guitar playing feature on a rhythm-action game. The improvised guitar playing feature allows players to manipulate a guitar controller to produce a pleasing, musical-sounding improvised play even if the players have little experience or skill at improvising music. This feature uses quantized 8th and 16th note musical phrases, or “licks”, strung together to form authentic, melodic, and rhythmically musical and impressive guitar lines, regardless of the player's ability. The improvised guitar playing feature can also display cues directing the player to improvise in a certain manner, while still providing players a degree of musical freedom in selecting how to play. In some embodiments, the present disclosure is also directed at scoring mechanisms for evaluating improvised guitar play.

Abstract: The present invention relates to percussion instruments. In particular, it relates to a signal processor for detecting characteristics of vibration of a percussion pad due to a particular strike on the pad. It provides a musician more opportunity for creativity in the sound a listener a percussion instrument can hear. It provides a signal processor for a percussion instrument. The signal processor comprises a singular input signal acquiring means to acquire a singular input signal corresponding to a physical vibration of a percussion surface over time, a signal analyser to analyse the input signal for a characteristic of a strike on the surface which caused the vibration, and a command signal providing means to provide a command signal according to the characteristic.