Abstract: A capo for detachably mounting on the neck of a fretted stringed musical instrument for selectively raising the pitch of the instrument comprises an elongated spring bar having a length for extending across and engaging the strings on the neck of an instrument, an elongated elastic tension member connected to opposite ends of the spring bar and extending across the back of the neck of the instrument for pulling the strings into engagement with the frets of the instrument, and an elongated elastic cover for extending over and covering the spring bar and for extending over and covering the elastic tension member.

Abstract: An end-blown flute comprising a hollow tube open at both ends with an embouchure at the upper end of the tube to provide an end-blown free air-reed. The tube has at least 13 tone holes through the side wall thereof, the holes being particularly spaced from the bottom of the tube so that keys can be mounted in the tube in the same pattern as on a standard transverse flute and so that the end blown flute can be played with the same fingering system used with a standard transverse flute. The embouchure has a U-shaped opening which opening which opens into the upper end of the flute and also exposes the upper forward edge of the flute tube, making it easier for the player to get into the third register.

Abstract: A brass instrument such as a trombone has a main tube member formed with a main air passage, a plurality of bypassing tube members respectively formed with bypassing air passages, and a plurality of valve units selectively coupling the main air passage to the bypassing air passages for variation in pitch of the sound produced therein, and each of the valve units is provided with two three port valve assemblies linked with each other for simultaneously being shifted between two positions, in which each of the valve assemblies has three ports angularly paced apart from one another by angles of about 120 degrees, so that the valve assemblies are less causative of resistance to the vibratile air column, thereby providing a comfortable feeling to the player.

Abstract: An anti-roll hand clip for handbells aids in the support of the handbell when resting on the playing table. The clip is a simple, wire device which attaches to the handle of the handbell and, more particularly, to the circular hand guard portion of the handle. The clip contains two feet which contact the table top providing a stable support. The clip is rotatable around the hand guards so that an angular position of the handbell handle with respect to the table top can be selected and maintained. The clip may be coated with an electrostatic powder coating of vinyl or the like to increase its non-slip quality and for abrasion resistence.

Abstract: A percussion power handle is disclosed that allows a user to grasp plural percussion implements in each hand. The device comprises plural grips interconnected by a frame. Each grip releasably receives a percussion implement. A frame biases grips away from each other.

Abstract: A power operated string vibrating device for selectively vibrating a string of a stringed musical instrument having at least one string. The string vibrating device comprises a support member positioned on the musical instrument proximate a string. A first pulley is rotatably mounted on the support member on a first side of a string for receiving a cable. The first pulley has one of the strings associated therewith. A second pulley is rotatably mounted on the support member on a second side of the string for receiving the cable. The second pulley is movable between a first position and a second position. A spring biases the second pulley towards the first position. An endless cable is drivingly interconnected to the pulleys such that when the second pulley is in the first position the cable does not contact the string, and when the second pulley is in the second position the cable contacts the string. An electric motor is mounted on the support member for driving the cable at a predetermined speed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved spindle construction for use in connection with harps of the type having a linkage assembly associated with foot pedals for controlling the action of harp strings. The improved spindle is designed to eliminate friction between the spindles and the action plates which are connected to the two ends of the spindle. The spindle is formed by a cylindrical body portion having a reduced diameter shaft at one end and proportioned to extend into a bore of one of the pair of action plates and to be rotatably retained therein. A bearing sleeve is press-fitted onto the cylindrical body portion at the other end thereof, the sleeve having a chamfered outer peripheral surface which corresponds with a chamfered bore formed in the other one of the pair of action plates into which the sleeve seats.

Abstract: A portable resonating platform for enhancing the tone of a cello comprises an upper plate and a lower plate rigidly joined in spaced-apart relation. The upper plate has a groove extending laterally along the top surface in which the endpin of the cello can be received in any desired position along the length of the groove. The platform is connected to the cellist's chair by a T-bar structure to prevent the platform from slipping during use. The cellist can adjust the position of the platform relative to the chair, which, in conjunction with placement of the endpin of the cello along different positions within the groove, allows the highest degree of comfort possible.

Abstract: A musical wind instrument has a hollow, generally tubular body made up of a first body section and a second body section which may be telescopically interfitted to define the assembled wind instrument. Alignment and locating structures are located respectively on the first and second body sections for defining a predetermined orientation therebetween when interfitted into assembled condition. The alignment and locating structures include an axially projecting button-like member mounted on a peripheral surface of one of the body sections, and an axially inwardly extending recess in the other of the body sections of complementary form for receiving at least a portion of the projecting member when the first and second body sections are telescopically interfitted and brought into a desired radial alignment and fully axially and telescopically engaged.

Abstract: A ligature for supporting a reed upon the mouthpiece of a single reed musical wind instrument, and method of fabricating the same. The substrate is stamped and formed into a generally tubular, longitudinally split clamping band that has two diametrically opposed windows cut therein. The end portions of the substrate are brought into abutting relation, and a pair of tubular barrels having an inner bore are braised to the exterior surface of the substrate adjacent the edges of the abutting end portions. The inner bore of each barrel has a threaded end portion. The barrels are each cut through their center portion. Each barrel is adapted to cooperate with a thumb screw to adjustably move the end portions of the substrate relative to each other so the ligature can be tightly secured upon the mouthpiece. A pair of longitudinally spaced clamping surfaces are formed in the end portions of the substrate extending inwardly and radially opposite the barrels.

Abstract: A mute for a horn-type musical instrument is disclosed. The mute comprises a resonating dish which has an opening therein to permit air flow through the dish and a slit extending from the opening to facilitate resonance of the dish. The dish is adapted to fit over the outside of the bell of the instrument on the bell wire by adjustable fitting means. The mute changes the timbre of the sound generated by the instrument, yet maintains the majority of the volume of sound prior to placement of the mute onto the bell.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the body structure of a wind instrument and a procedure for making a wind instrument body presenting said structure. The body of a wind instrument, such as a flute, consists of an elongated tube composed of one or several parts (1), in said tube apertures (2) openable and closable with separate keys as required by playing, are made. As taught by the invention, the tube or its parts are made of plastic material, with which one or several fiber courses (4,5) are combined for reinforcement. An appropriate plastic material is epoxy plastic, and appropriate fibers are e.g. carbon fibers. With these is obtained a body construction which has a high rigidity and low mass and which produces sound with minimal blowing energy.

Abstract: A musical wind instrument, comprising a cylindrical barrel having an inlet hole (3) communicating with the mouthpiece (1) of the instrument, an outlet hole (5) communicating with the bell (12), a branch hole (6), a return hole (7), the branch hole (6) communicating with the return hole (7) via a circuit (13) for changing of tonality, and means (15, 16) for putting of the inlet hole (3) into communication selectively with the outlet hole (5) or with the branch hole (6), wherein the inlet hole (3) and the outlet hole (5) are at different levels along the axis (X,X') of the barrel.

Abstract: A multi-annular musical drum instrument formed from a plurality of axially aligned permanently connected rings. Each ring formed of a multi-annular ring of laminated plywood, a solid wood or other desireable material. Each ring is non-jointed and undivided in the circumferential direction so as to be formed of a single piece rather than a composite of sections so as to provide uniform vibratory characteristics. One or more of the rings functons as a sounding ring having a greater outer radius than the other shell rings. Such sounding rings receive a connection to a respective drum head. Two rings form outer rings of the cylindrical shell contacting the respective drum heads. Either or both of the two may be rounded to decrease the overtones of the drum head, pointed to increase the overtones of the drum head, or flat so as not to alter the overtones of the drum head.

Abstract: A brass wind instrument is disclosed which has substantially the same range as a French Horn but has a forward facing bell for greater projection. Further, the bell is substantially that of a tenor trombone.The instrument includes a rotary valve for changing the key from an F-alto to a B-flat.The instrument includes a French Horn lead pipe.

Abstract: A thin flat piece of plastic that can be repeatedly bent. Two thin soft pieces of rubber are attached to the hard flexible plastic with glue. The soft flexible material is thinly coated with a non-hardening adhesive. The pick is held between the thumb and forefinger when being used.

Abstract: A guitar pick having a serrated or jagged edge for picking a guitar string and capable of producing in a rapid succession a repetitive tone to give a percussive effect and to alternatively pick normally by using the unserrated top portion of the pick. The serrations may be on a beveled surface, may extend along about a 1/2 inch of the length of the guitar pick and be on both sides of the pick.

Abstract: An improved fingerboard for a stringed instrument having a series of substantially planar raised surfaces, each surface having an edge disposed toward the nut of the instrument, a "fret edge". The fret edges are located at fret positions along the strings and may be provided by the attachment of fret blocks to the fingerboard. Between the raised surfaces are recessed surfaces which are at least partially inclined to verge upon the fret edges of the raised surfaces. Alternatively, the raised surfaces and recessed surfaces may be formed of a single monolithic member. The fingerboard is a modular unit which may be installed on the neck of the instrument or may comprise the neck of the instrument itself. Recessed surfaces may include indicator means to show the fret position of a proximate fret edge.

Abstract: A modular construction, multiple musical instrument stand may be quickly assembled or disassembled for use in the stage or performing environment. The stand contains a plurality of quickly and easily performed adjustments so that various types and sizes of musical instruments may be supported by the stand, and is expandable so that any desired number of instruments may use the stand by adding additional supports during assembly. Further features may be added, such as trays or other types of containers, in the same manner as the assembly of other components of the stand. The stand may be further expanded by using the telescoping crossmembers to widen the base as necessary for the installation of additional musical instrument supports as desired. In a further embodiment, the upright portion of the stand may be folded horizontally against the base for compact storage.

Abstract: This invention is a Tuning Pen which can serve as a writing apparatus and tuning device as well as a device for checking notes of the scale corresponding to a specific key signature. According to the present invention, the pen holder which has a tuning flute mounted thereon includes a bigger cylinder which has key signatures printed thereon and is coupled with a smaller cylinder which has the notes of the scale printed thereon and is covered with a revolving sleeve which has an opening made thereon to display the note of the scale printed on the smaller cylinder.