Abstract: A woodwind instrument with improved tonal characteristics that plays both in-tune and with a timbre consistent with the rest of the range of notes. The instrument may be an improved saxophone having a tone hole on at least one joined section of the saxophone. The joined section may be a joint between a saxophone body and a upper bow, a joint between a saxophone body and lower bow or both. A connecting ring may be used at the joined section and, if used, will receive the tone hole. A method of improving the tonal characteristics of a saxophone comprises the steps of identifying at least one joint between two sections on said saxophone and soldering a tone hole at the joint. A connecting ring may be soft soldered to the joint.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bass clarinet that enables even splitting of the harmonics without compromising the efficacy of the instrument, without increasing manufacturing costs, and without the requirement of a clarinettist relearning how to play the instrument. It is further an object of the disclosure to describe bass clarinets with the ability to change harmonics without requiring the player to compensate with embouchure and air pressure.

Abstract: A musical wind instrument, comprising a mouthpiece, key mechanism, body, and an alternative material bridge that is couple a first and second opposite facing tube. There is in an alternative embodiment at least one coupling mechanism affixed to at least one of the opposite facing tubes designed to releasably hold the wood based material bridge against the first and second tubes. Alternatively there is a musical wind instrument made of a predominantly first material, comprising a mouthpiece, key mechanism, and body; at least a first and second tube having a portion thereof being spatially opposite to each other respectively, and a bridge, having a first and second end that are coupled to the first and second tube respectively, wherein the bridge is made of an alternative material that is different from the predominantly first material of the instrument.

Abstract: A low E-flat bass clarinet with low E tone hole not on the bell is provided. The clarinet includes a mouthpiece coupled to a neck. The clarinet further includes an upper joint coupled to the neck on one end and coupled to a lower joint on an opposing end, the upper and lower joints comprising tone holes and associated key mechanisms mounted thereon, and further having thereon a finger spatula terminating in a cam end positioned adjacent to the lower end of the lower joint. The clarinet also includes an low E joint coupled to a lower end of the lower joint, the low E joint having a low E tone hole. Further, the clarinet includes a bell coupled to the lower end of the low E joint, the bell having no low E tone hole and no low E key mechanism located thereon.

Abstract: A musical wind instrument, comprising a mouthpiece, key mechanism, body, and an alternative material bridge that is couple a first and second opposite facing tube. There is in an alternative embodiment at least one coupling mechanism affixed to at least one of the opposite facing tubes designed to releasably hold the wood based material bridge against the first and second tubes. Alternatively there is a musical wind instrument made of a predominantly first material, comprising a mouthpiece, key mechanism, and body; at least a first and second tube having a portion thereof being spatially opposite to each other respectively, and a bridge, having a first and second end that are coupled to the first and second tube respectively, wherein the bridge is made of an alternative material that is different from the predominantly first material of the instrument.

Abstract: A low E-flat bass clarinet with low E tone hole not on the bell is provided. The clarinet includes a mouthpiece coupled to a neck. The clarinet further includes an upper joint coupled to the neck on one end and coupled to a lower joint on an opposing end, the upper and lower joints comprising tone holes and associated key mechanisms mounted thereon, and further having thereon a finger spatula terminating in a cam end positioned adjacent to the lower end of the lower joint. The clarinet also includes an low E joint coupled to a lower end of the lower joint, the low E joint having a low E tone hole. Further, the clarinet includes a bell coupled to the lower end of the low E joint, the bell having no low E tone hole and no low E key mechanism located thereon.

Abstract: A method of improving the tonal characteristics of a woodwind instrument. The method includes identifying a position on the woodwind instrument, wherein placement of a tonal material thereto causes a lowering of overtone amplitude during play, by observing overtone characteristics during play; positioning the tonal material to the woodwind instrument; measuring the overtone amplitude; playing the woodwind instrument; and repositioning the tonal material to optimal overtone amplitude position; and attaching the tonal material to the woodwind instrument, at the optimal overtone amplitude position.

Abstract: A wind instrument with improved tonal characteristics by positioning an octave hole, an octave key mechanism, and/or a water key on a surface of the wind instrument that is not a tone-rich region. The wind instrument may be a woodwind instrument such as a saxophone or a brass instrument such as a trumpet. The octave hole may be placed on a concave portion of a curve in the wind instrument. The octave hole may be covered by an octave key mechanism that opens the octave hole using the same fingering that would open an octave key in a typical wind instrument. The water key may be placed on a portion of the body of the wind instrument that is not a tone-rich region of the wind instrument.

Abstract: A brass instrument with improved tonal characteristics that includes a tonal material attached to the brass instrument. The instrument may be a trumpet. The tonal material may have a Mohs hardness of greater than about 6, such as a semi-precious stone. Also disclosed is a method of improving tonal characteristics of a brass instrument by attaching a tonal material to the brass instrument.

Abstract: A woodwind instrument with improved tonal characteristics, comprising a body tube having at least one tone hole, a key mechanism attached to said body tube, and a tonal material attached to one of the group consisting of: the body tube and the key mechanism.

Abstract: A wind instrument with improved tonal characteristics by positioning an octave hole, an octave key mechanism, and/or a water key on a surface of the wind instrument that is not a tone-rich region. The wind instrument may be a woodwind instrument such as a saxophone or a brass instrument such as a trumpet. The octave hole may be placed on a concave portion of a curve in the wind instrument. The octave hole may be covered by an octave key mechanism that opens the octave hole using the same fingering that would open an octave key in a typical wind instrument. The water key may be placed on a portion of the body of the wind instrument that is not a tone-rich region of the wind instrument.

Abstract: A brass instrument with improved tonal characteristics that includes a tonal material attached to the brass instrument. The instrument may be a trumpet. The tonal material may have a Mohs hardness of greater than about 6, such as a semi-precious stone. Also disclosed is a method of improving tonal characteristics of a brass instrument by attaching a tonal material to the brass instrument.