Abstract: A piano has a regulating button mechanism so as to cause a jack to escape from a hammer assembly, and the regulating button mechanism has a first regulating button and a second regulating button with which the jack is selectively brought into contact; and the jack imparts a force variable in dependence on the regulating button to the hammer assembly so as to generate loud or soft tones.

Abstract: A drumhead for musical percussion instruments includes a synthetic polymer membrane secured to a ring-shaped tensioning hoop having a uniform cross-sectional shape in which is formed in the upper surface thereof a generally U-shaped channel. A positioning lip or ridge protruding downwards and inwards into the channel from the outer circumferential wall of the hoop limits upward movement of the outer vertically disposed annular wall of a peripheral hoop mounting section of the membrane which has been molded into a U-shaped cross section maintained by elastic memory, thereby precisely locating the membrane with respect to the hoop when the peripheral section of the membrane is inserted into the hoop channel.

Abstract: The present invention includes a micro smooth surface on a stainless steel guitar slide. The micro smooth finish is achieved by a combination of mechanical polishing and electropolishing techniques applied to the surface of a corrosion resistant and durable stainless steel tubular member.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument has an acoustic piano for generating acoustic sound in an acoustic sound mode, an electronic sound generating system for generating electronic sounds on the basis of detecting signals of hammer sensors in an electronic sound mode and a stopper operative to prevent strings from hammers in the electronic sound mode, and a change-over mechanism changes the hammer sensors between a closed position and a spaced position so that the electronic sound generating system exactly determines the intensities of the electronic sounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for operating a musical instrument, especially a keyboard instrument such as a piano. In one embodiment, a keyboard instrument is provided which is operable for producing a musical sound. The keyboard instrument is used in combination with a musical staff on which a musical composition has been recorded. The staff has a structure that corresponds with the arrangement of keys on a keyboard such that notes recorded in spaces on the staff correspond to white keys of the keyboard instrument and notes recorded on lines correspond to black keys of the keyboard instrument. The keyboard instrument is operated by depressing the appropriate corresponding white key for a note recorded on a space of the staff and depressing the appropriate black key for a note recorded on a line of a staff.

Abstract: An extruded recording sensor mounting rail for keyboard operated musical instruments, particularly electronic player pianos, which can be used to install recording sensors in a new or existing piano and provide for accurate alignment of the sensors with the individual keys in the instrument. A first flange extending along the rear of the mounting rail is configured for receiving one edge of a circuit board in a sensor assembly, while a second flange and shelf extending along the front of the mounting rail are configured for supporting the other edge of the circuit board and flexible recording sensors. Each flange also includes longitudinal slots for receiving fasteners for joining multiple mounting rails in an end to end configuration so that mounting rail assemblies of varying lengths can be fashioned to accommodate different keyboard sizes and key spacing configurations.

Abstract: A system for labeling keys of a piano keyboard. The inventive device includes a plurality of informational stickers securable to individual keys of a keyboard. The stickers each include a staff and a clef, a particular note represented in both a musical notation on the staff and an English letter, and a solfege term printed on the sticker for identifying a particular key on a piano keyboard.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for practicing playing an electronic musical instrument which includes a select section for selecting a music teacher mode, a display section for displaying a score and key, a microcomputer for controlling an entire musical system and an output section for outputting audible sound. The apparatus is effective for displaying a mark indicating a key corresponding to a note of the score. Thus, the user can effectively and correctly practice playing an electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: A wind instrument stand which can be assembled and dissasembled, including a peg stand base, a hinged back plate, and a music stand attachment device. The hinged back plate and attachment device permit adjustable attachment of the instrument stand to the upright support of a music stand. A removable bi-peg adapter adapts the peg stand base for use with two additional instruments. Peg adapters fit on the base and the bi-peg adapter, allowing use of the wind instrument stand with one or more wind instruments.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus for an electronic musical instrument has a metallic keyboard chassis and a balance rail provided on the keyboard chassis. A plurality of pins are provided on the balance rail. The pins and the balance rail constitute fulcrums for swingably supporting white keys and black keys. A hammer is provided in a rear side of each of the white and the black keys so as to be swingable by swinging of each of the respective keys by a second fulcrum comprising oval cross sectional shafts extending outwardly from the side surface of one of the hammer and a bearing member, the side surface extending perpendicular to a direction of swing movement of the hammer and a pair of bearing recesses for pivotally receiving the shaft, the bearing recesses being formed in the other of the hammer and the bearing member. Each of the bearing recesses has a guide slot for guiding each of the shafts from outside into the bearing recess for assembling.

Abstract: For use with a piano having key activated hammers, each hammer striking a selected string upon activation by the associated key, a rail stop assembly that comprises a rotational hammer stopping rail for preventing the hammers from striking the selected strings. Included is a mechanism for moving the hammer stopping rail between a first position for blocking the hammers and a second position for allowing the hammers to strike the selected strings.

Abstract: A learning aid adapted to be attached to an instrument of the type defined. The learning aid is arranged to lie generally parallel with the fretboard or fingerboard of the instrument and to afford a visual display indicating the string or strings, and the position at which the string or strings are to be depressed against the fretboard or fingerboard to obtain a desired musical note, chord or scale.

Abstract: In a foot pedal for a drum, the beater pivots so as to strike the drum head when a pedal board is depressed by the player. The beater is provided on a rocker which is rotatable on a horizontal shaft and is connected to a pedal board via a belt that transfers the pedal depression force from the pedal board to the rocker so that rocker rotates to pivot the beater. A feeling adjustment member is detachably provided on the rocker. The feeling adjustment member is movable in the direction of the length of the belt on the peripheral surface of the rocker, and when the distance from the center of rotation of the rocker to the pedal depressing force transmission member is changed by moving the feeling adjustment member, the feeling of the depth of the depression of the pedal board is changed.

Abstract: A method for teaching musical notation to children. Each note is associated with a distinctly identifiable color, which is in turn associated with an object which naturally occurs in this color. Each object, in turn, is associated with a cartoon character which prominently incorporates an image of the object. Each character is endowed with a distinctly identifiable personality characteristic which enables the child to utilize the cartoon character in an educational activity. These relationships allow the child to apply relatively sophisticated symbolization techniques which are a part of the child's natural developmental process in order to master the musical notation system.

Abstract: A stringed instrument, such as a guitar, is provided. The stringed instrument comprises a body, a fretboard mounted on the body, a nut mounted on the body at one side of the fretboard, and a bridge having a base mounted on the body at an opposing side of the fretboard. The bridge includes a plurality of pivotable saddles secured to the base and a plurality of corresponding critical contact surfaces associated with the saddles. The stringed instrument also includes a plurality of strings arranged in contact with corresponding bridge critical contact surfaces and the nut. The bridge includes a shaft connected to the base which is rotatably mounted within the body so that the entire bridge can pivot about an axis extending through the shaft. Each of the plurality of saddles is pivotally connected to the shaft so that the plurality of saddles and the associated bridge critical contact surfaces pivot about the same axis as the base of the bridge.

Abstract: A stringed instrument, such as a guitar, is provided. The stringed instrument includes a body, a fretboard mounted on the body, a nut mounted on the body on one side of the fretboard, and a bridge mounted on the body at an opposing side of the fretboard. The bridge includes a plurality of bridge critical contact surfaces each arranged at a selectively adjustable distance from the nut. The instrument also includes a plurality of strings arranged in contact with the nut and corresponding bridge critical contact surfaces. The strings are placed in tension so that desired tones may be obtained upon playing of the instrument. The bridge includes a tuning mechanism for obtaining at least harmonic tuning of the strings by causing pivotable movement of the bridge critical contact surfaces so that a desired distance between the bridge critical contact surfaces and the nut is obtained.

Abstract: An electric stringed musical instrument of the lute family, and in particular, a double bass, wherein the body, neck, and headstock are cut out of a single laminated section of a cone. The front surface of the headstock is coplanar with the neck and body, and the back surface is substantially concentric with the front surface. The strings are anchored in a central cutout in the headstock. Also disclosed is a neck-straightening truss rod capable of exerting either compressive or tensile forces on the neck, a pair of sensors sensitive to string vibrations coupled the bridge which are summed and differenced to provide signals useful in connection with plucked and bowed strings respectively, and a twist resisting support to make a slim double bass practical.

Abstract: An improved combination acoustic-mode and electronic-mode piano is provided which includes a hammer shank stop rail that intercepts the hammer shank, when in the electronic mode, so that the hammer cannot complete its normal travel and cannot strike its corresponding string(s) when its piano key is actuated. The hammer shank stop rail is actuated by an intermediate crank that, in turn, is actuated by a pedal dowel attached to one of the pedals of the piano. When operated in the acoustic mode, the stop rail occupies a position that will not interfere with the hammer shank's movements, and when in the electronic mode, the stop rail intercepts the hammer shank so that its associated hammer will not be able to travel all the way into contact with their associated string. A second embodiment operates the stop rail by use of a cable and cam mechanism. A third embodiment uses a hand-actuator to operate the stop rail via a dowel and intermediate crank.

Abstract: A security electric cash drawer includes a shell having two inner lateral walls, a front opening, a bottom opening and a front securing plate, a bottom plate having a front bent end and inserted into the shell to be held secured to the shell for covering the bottom opening, a pair of tracks respectively mounted on the two inner lateral walls, and a drawer slidable along the pair of tracks and inserted into the shell from the front opening.Further, the security electric cash drawer includes a securing piece inserted from an inside of the shell for fixing the bottom plate in place in order to avoid the cash drawer from being externally disassembled. This invention also provides a tray having a plurality of detachable clips for conveniently managing kinds of cashes.

Abstract: An improved musical instrument string comprising a core wire. A plurality of inner wrap wires are helically wound concentrically about a central portion of the core wire. The central portion of the core wire is of an elongated length. An outer wrap wire is helically wound concentrically about the complete length of the inner wrap wires and most of the side portions of the core wire. Opposite ends of the core wire extend outwardly from the outer wrap wire. The outer wrap wire will retain the inner wrap wires in place on the central portion of the core wire, so that the inner wrap wires cannot loosen and will last longer.