Abstract: A musical instrument piston valve receivable in a valve casing. The valve includes a valve stem, a valve barrel connected to the valve stem, and a valve guide slidably disposed with respect to the valve barrel. A spring is disposed in the valve barrel extending between the valve stem and the valve guide. A piston extends from the valve barrel and includes one or more ports. There are also various ways of adjusting the angular orientation of the piston in the valve casing. It is preferred that the piston and the valve barrel are monolithic in construction and the piston valve includes an adjustable valve guide.

Abstract: A novel musical instrument tone hole forming tool. A body includes a distal end to be inserted transversely into a musical instrument through an opening therein. The distal end of the body includes sockets spaced about its periphery. Bearings are located in the sockets. A shaft is moveable within the body and includes reduced diameter distal portions which receive the bearings in a contracted configuration in order to insert the body into the musical instrument. The shaft drives the bearings outward from the distal end of the body in an expanded configuration to form the tone hole when the body is withdrawn out of the musical instrument.

Abstract: A novel musical instrument tone hole forming tool. A body includes a distal end to be inserted transversely into a musical instrument through an opening therein. The distal end of the body includes sockets spaced about its periphery. Bearings are located in the sockets. A shaft is moveable within the body and includes reduced diameter distal portions which receive the bearings in a contracted configuration in order to insert the body into the musical instrument. The shaft drives the bearings outward from the distal end of the body in an expanded configuration to form the tone hole when the body is withdrawn out of the musical instrument.

Abstract: A musical instrument piston valve receivable in a valve casing. The valve includes a valve stem, a valve barrel connected to the valve stem, and a valve guide slidably disposed with respect to the valve barrel. A spring is disposed in the valve barrel extending between the valve stem and the valve guide. A piston extends from the valve barrel and includes one or more ports. There are also various ways of adjusting the angular orientation of the piston in the valve casing. It is preferred that the piston and the valve barrel are monolithic in construction and the piston valve includes an adjustable valve guide.

Abstract: A pad to be mounted in a cup for closing a tone hole in a musical instrument, includes a rigid back plate having a generally planar base and a central raised collar; and a compliant cushion disposed on the back plate and around the collar and extending laterally at least to the edge of the back plate.

Abstract: A process for evenly seating a woodwind instrument tone hole sealing pad in the pad cup includes placing the pad on the tone hole rim, placing an at least partially magnetic element between the pad and cup; placing a solidifiable substance between the element and cup, and applying a magnetic force to the element to move the pad against the tone hole rim; the pad can be secured to the cup using a screw or other fastener or a solidifiable substance introduced before, during or after applying the magnetic force.

Abstract: A process for evenly seating a woodwind instrument tone hole sealing pad in the pad cup, and the tone hole sealing pad for accomplishing this even seating. The process contemplates placing the pad on the tone hole rim, applying a force to the rim to pull it against the tone hole rim, providing a substance between the pad and the cup for positioning the pad in the cup, and contacting the cup to the pad to position the pad in the cup while the pad is seated against the tone hole rim to provide an even seating cup pad assembly.

Abstract: A process for evenly seating a woodwind instrument tone hole sealing pad in the pad cup, and the pad assembly itself. The process contemplates placing the pad on the tone hole rim, applying a magnetic force to the pad to pull it against the tone hole rim, providing a substance between the pad and the cup for positioning the pad in the cup, and contacting the cup to the pad to position the pad in the cup while the pad is seated against the tone hole rim to provide an even seating cup pad assembly.

Abstract: A pad cushion for a pad for closing a tone hole of a musical instrument includes a base member including at least one recess; and a damping medium in the recess for increasing the axial conformability of the pad with the tone holes of the insrument while maintaining the lateral firmness of the pad potion contacting the tone hole.

Abstract: A pad for use in a pad cup positioned over an opening in a musical instrument, the pad having a seal element which initially forms an impression of the rim of the opening and fixes the impression. The pad further includes a support member which carries the seal element to securely position the impression relative to the rim to seal the opening when the pad is brought to bear against the rim. The support element also damps vibrations generated when the seal element contacts the rim.