Abstract: The original contoured thumb and finger pick for players of stringed instruments introduced an incredible innovation for guitar players and others. Improvements based on this unique concept have transformed a useful tool into an extremely comfortable and natural strumming aid. The pick saddle totally follows the thumb and finger contours for greater comfort and the band is secured to the pick with a low profile post.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a string instrument, such as a guitar, having a neck support-fingerboard brace unit. The neck support-fingerboard brace unit is formed as a unitary unit or formed by fixedly attaching a neck support to a fingerboard brace before attaching the fingerboard brace to a guitar top. The solid connection between the neck support and the fingerboard brace allows the fingerboard brace, which rests on a guitar side, to provide support to the guitar neck, thus, reducing deformation in the guitar neck and the fret board.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a cymbal system is provided comprising a cymbal, and a percussion instrument magnetically coupled to the cymbal, said magnetic coupling between the percussion instrument and the cymbal provided at least in part by at least one first magnetic component disposed on a lower side of the cymbal, and at least one second magnetic component disposed on an upper side of the cymbal and attached to the percussion instrument, the at least one first magnetic component and at least one second magnetic component being coupled to the cymbal, at least in part, by a magnetic force of attraction between the at least one first magnetic component and the at least one second magnetic component that acts through the cymbal.

Abstract: Percussion instruments such as cajóns including auxiliary devices such as snares are disclosed. The positioning of the auxiliary device or devices with respect to the main body of the percussion instrument can be adjustable so as to produce different sounds depending upon the auxiliary device position. In one embodiment, a lever device on the back of a cajón is used. The lever device is linked to one or more snares by an adjustment rod and/or an auxiliary bar. As the lever device is adjusted, the positioning of the one or more snares and the amount of the snare wires that is in contact with the back of the tapa is adjusted, resulting in different sounds when the cajón is played.

Abstract: A locator device for removable attachment to a musical instrument body to locate a musician's hand or arm while holding or manipulating the instrument. The locator device includes a guide structure for providing a contact surface for the musician's hand or arm. An attachment structure is connected to the guide structure for removably attaching the guide structure to the instrument body at a location selected to locate the musician's hand or arm in relation to the instrument, the attachment structure configured to detach from the instrument body without damaging the body.

Abstract: A percussion device includes (1) a platform portion composed of a first material having an exposed striking portion composed of a second material different from the first material; (2) a base portion separated from, and substantially parallel to, the platform portion by a predetermined distance; (3) at least one unitary sidewall portion positioned between the platform portion and the base portion at respective opposing edges of the platform portion and the base portion; and (4) a non-flexible surface below, and in contact with, at least a portion of the exposed striking portion.

Abstract: A lighted violin bow has a stick, at least one battery coupled to the stick, and a plurality of lights electrically coupled to the battery. The lighted violin bow is placed within a violin case and is configured to illuminate the interior of the violin case.

Abstract: A guitar pick holder includes a receptacle having an open top and a closed bottom. A piston is provided within the receptacle and a retainer is fitted over the receptacle wherein the piston is disposed between the closed bottom of the receptacle and the retainer. The retainer has a partially open top at a side thereof. A spring is disposed between the closed bottom of the receptacle and the piston such that the piston is biased into contact with the retainer. A clip is coupled to an outside surface of the closed bottom of the receptacle.

Abstract: An ukulele strap that works on ukuleles with or without strap buttons installed is disclosed. The apparatus bypasses the need for a strap button, adhesives, or hooks by cinching around the waist of the ukulele and provides full support so that a user can let go of your ukulele with both hands. It also has the option of being converted into a strap with will work with a strap button if a ukulele has that option.

Abstract: A wooden drumstick that is treated by direct heating by exposure to a flame to improve hardness characteristics by altering the state of fibers in an outer layer of the drum stick relative to inner fibers below the outer layer. A method of manufacturing a treated drumstick includes selecting a wooden starting material, forming a drumstick profile from the wooden starting material, and exposing the drumstick profile directly to a flame.

Abstract: The present invention concerns soundboard apparatus for a musical instrument, the apparatus comprising a soundboard substrate formed of composite fibrous resin bonded material having a thickness of between 0.75 mm and 3 mm; and an outer layer formed of ultra-violet light blocking material having a thickness of between 0.5 and 0.9 mm. Further, the present invention relates to a method of forming a soundboard apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: bonding multiple layers of woven or straight stranded fibrous material in a resinous matrix to form a soundboard substrate, wherein the soundboard substrate is formed such that it is oversized with respect to final soundboard substrate dimensions; and finishing the soundboard substrate to form the final substrate, the finishing process being constrained to ensure that the final substrate dimensions are not compromised.

Abstract: An improved rim for a mouthpiece for a plurality of non-French horn labrosone brass musical instruments. The improved rim has a rim width having a predetermined width measurement as a smallest width dimension taken of an outer edge, a crown, and an inner edge of the improved rim, where the rim width can be a same width as a playing surface of the improved rim, where the playing surface is a width of the improved rim engaged by a musician's lips. Also provided are improved rims removably or permanently affixed to the mouthpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus for enhancing tunes produced out of single-reed wind music instrument are disclosed. Apparatus comprise one or more sound enhancing elements in form of a plurality of elongated ribs or grooves, or one or more studs. The sound enhancing elements are affixed to either side or both sides of a reed. Patterns of the elongated ribs/grooves can be straight or wavy lines orientated in longitudinal, transverse or oblique direction with respect to the reed. Each stud contains a 3-D geometric shape portion for altering sounds produced out of a single-reed wind music instrument when played by a player, and a base of the 3-D geometric shape portion for affixing the stud to either side or both sides of a reed in an effective area. Dimensions/locations of the effective area are single-reed wind music instrument dependent.

Abstract: A bachi for playing a shamisen, comprising a handle portion having a first end and a second end, a blade portion removably disposed on the first end of the handle portion, and an attachment assembly that removably secures the blade portion to the first end of the handle portion.

Abstract: The present invention concerns modifications intended to improve the sound quality of stringed musical-instruments through modification of stiffness/flexibility, vibration/resonance-transmitting properties and weight-reduction of the fingerboard, neck, tailpiece, the upper- and lower block, sound post or sound pegs, bass bar or sound bars, and the upper and lower saddle rod using combined lightweight materials and specific construction principles.

Abstract: A mute is provided that can be stored together with a wind instrument. A mute comprises a main body portion, a rod-like member, and an inner head. The main body portion comprises a body, a head, and a connecting member. When in use, a large diameter end of the body is connected to a large diameter end of the head. When the inner head is in a bell, the body is fixed to the inner circumferential face of the bell. For storage, the mute is reassembled into a mode for storage in which the body is separated from the head, the head is in the head, and the inner head is in the head. The entire mute reassembled into this mode is in the bell.

Abstract: An apparatus for a finger of a user to play a stringed instrument is disclosed herein. The apparatus for a finger of a user to play a stringed instrument includes a string pick and an elastic securing band or sleeve, which persistently secures the pick to a finger of a user. The apparatus for a finger of a user to play a stringed instrument allows users with compromised dexterity or reduced hand strength to play a stringed instrument with a single finger. It also allows musicians to easily change between different playing styles such as strumming, finger style, or pick play style through rotation of the string pick about the finger of a user.

Abstract: Provided are tune holders for string instruments, comprising: a bar-like first pressing member having a rectangular first surface, the length of the first surface at least spanning across at least two tuning pegs on one side of a string instrument; a bar-like second pressing member having a rectangular second surface, the second surface facing the first surface and the length of the second surface at least spanning across the at least two tuning pegs; and a securing assembly configured to detachably connect and secure the first pressing member and the second pressing member, allowing the first and second surfaces of the first and second members to be pressed against at least two tuning pegs or separated from at least two tuning device.

Abstract: A sound deflector for a wind instrument has a sound deflector plate and a device for the mounting thereof on the edge of a bell of the wind instrument. The device for mounting the deflector plate has an upper part and a lower part, which are respectively fastenable on the outer surface or the inner side of the bell edge. The upper and lower parts are connected to one another by means of a hinge. According to the invention, the lower part and upper part each have at least two nubs having rounded edges. When the upper and lower parts are brought together, the nubs of the upper part and lower parts are each arranged offset in relation to one another. The sound deflector enables fastening on instruments having bell edges of different shapes and curvatures or on music stands. The offset arrangement of the nubs on the mounting device enables a clamping fastening on a bell edge. The sound deflector according to the invention is therefore universally usable.

Abstract: A percussion instrument holder that allows attachment to a user mounted carrier. The holder allows adjustment for positioning about the user, and pivoting of the holder to allow the holder to pivot or rotate up to allow the holder with instruments to fit a narrower space. The holder further allows for pivotal attachment of individual drums to link or pivot allowing the linked drums to articulate. The holder can also consist of members that allow a connected drum to move in horizontal position, angle, or height of the drum. A plurality of unique drum connecting members is disclosed that allow the connecting members to connect onto drum tension rods or on a drum lug. The plurality of connecting members can be fabricated from multiple pieces that can interconnectably be locked into position.