Abstract: In embodiments, the invention includes a device for supporting motion of a bow with respect to a bowed string instrument such that motion of the bow is constrained to approximate good playing form. An embodiment includes a clamp for attaching the device to a bowed string instrument, a hinge, and a guide tube. The invention also includes a method using the device, wherein a student learning to play a bowed string instrument may develop good playing form and create a muscle memory associated with such good playing form.

Abstract: A reed includes: a reed main body having a plate shape, the reed main body including a fixed part fixed to a mouthpiece, and a vibrating part that extends from the fixed part and vibrates; and a sensor part that is disposed inside the vibrating part or on an inner surface of the vibrating part, the inner surface of the vibrating part facing the mouthpiece, the sensor part comprising an effective sensor portion that detects vibration of the vibrating part.

Abstract: A detection device including n number of sensors arrayed in a direction, in which n is an integer of 3 or more and from which (n?1) pairs of adjacent sensors are formed, and a processor which determines one specified position in the direction based on output values of the n number of sensors, in which the processor calculates (n?1) sets of difference values each of which is a difference between two output values corresponding to each of the (n?1) pairs of sensors, and determines the one specified position based on the (n?1) sets of difference values and correlation positions corresponding to the (n?1) sets of difference values and indicating positions correlated with array positions of each pair of sensors.

Abstract: A stringless electric bowed musical instrument is disclosed in which sensors are provided to detect finger positions and bowing motions of the player. A touch-sensitive fingerboard surface is equipped with pitch sensors that detect finger positions. Use of a fingerboard surface that includes an interactive flexible touch screen display provides a plurality of illumination patterns to be displayed on the fingerboard and permits various operational modes that are useful for both students and artists. A bowing platform in contact with either the fingerboard or the body of the instrument provides an adjustable bowing surface for including bow sensors configured to detect vibrations in response to bow motion. The bow sensors may include piezo-ceramic elements. Optical pitch sensors may sense interruption of one or more laser beams that propagate above a top surface of the fingerboard.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bowed string instrument that allows a player to hold it in a stable manner and to handle a bow and strings without much effect. A bowed string instrument 1 has a body 102, a shoulder pad 103 connected to the body 102, a body receiver 106 disposed below the body 102 so as to receive a load of the body, and an operative joint portion 107 coupling the body 102 and the body receiver 106 to each other while allowing the body 102 to be slidable on a spherical surface. The body 102 includes a fingerboard 105, a plurality of strings 104 extending above the fingerboard 105, and a pair of bridges for supporting and tensioning the plurality of strings 104 above the fingerboard 105.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reed for an electronic musical instrument and an electronic musical instrument in which determination of lip position is not susceptible to the influence of noise and the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic musical instrument is provided with a reed and a plurality of sensor electrodes in the reed, arranged next to one another from a tip side of the reed towards a base side of the reed, each of the sensor electrodes having a center portion projecting towards the tip side of the reed. The lip position of the performer is determined in accordance with the output from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A string instrument bow guide that selectively fits a bow played string instrument without being fastened to the string instrument. The guide has two arc shaped inserts that may be made of a flexible material and that removably fit within a pair of opposed bouts. A pair of holes is provided in each insert for selective fit of a pair of memory strands that arch above a highway of the strings. A range of desired spacing above the strings is provided by both an insert thickness of the inserts relative to a depth of the bouts and also by a selective fit of the strands within the inserts. The bow guide is selectively disassembled or collapsed to fit within a case of the string instrument.

Abstract: It takes great effort by players of a bowed string musical instrument to manipulate proper bow-to-string pressure that directly affects the quality of the sound generated. This invention is a training device that provides bow-to-string pressure reading as feedback to players. The device consists of a rib cage, a base unit, and a liquid crystal display unit. The rib cage emulates strings and transfers bow pressure to the base unit. The main components of the base unit include a pressure sensor and microcontroller circuit board. The liquid crystal display unit displays reading sent by the microcontroller board.

Abstract: A new and improved instrument bow for use with a stringed instrument is provided. A unique new instrument bow is provided that may be constructed with a braided material and/or composite to form the instrument bow. Additionally, the new instrument bow using a braided composite to form a single piece construction instrument bow for use in conjunction with a stringed instrument. The instrument bow may be a combination of a synthetic material covered with a braided material in a single piece construction that will provide the instrument bow with increased resilient and strength without the necessity for reinforcement and/or repair.

Abstract: A bow guide for a violin is made from resilient material, such as a unitary piece of foamed plastics, and comprises a support means for elastically securing under the overhang of the fingerboard and upstanding guide means protruding in use upwards from ends of the support means so as to guide a bow in a desired region of the strings. One, two or four guide means are possible, two being preferred.

Abstract: A teaching device for bowed string instruments includes a base connected to a finger support by a stem. The base is used to attach the teaching device to a bow for a bowed string instrument. The base has an outer end and an inner end and a central opening therebetween that receives the bow. The central opening has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bow when the base is attached to the bow. The finger support has hollow body with a closed lower end and an open upper end and a central cavity between the two ends. The central cavity has a longitudinal axis that is positioned at an angle of less than 90° to the longitudinal axis of the base. The player's little finger is positioned within the central cavity of the finger support, which forces the little finger into an angled position with respect to the bow and teaches a player how to maintain a proper grip on the bow.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument including a bowl portion having an open upper end and a closed lower end. The bowl portion has a pair of diametrically opposed openings therein downwardly of the open upper end. The open upper end has a cover secured thereto. An elongated rod extends through the pair of diametrically opposed openings of the bowl portion. The elongated rod has opposed ends disposed outwardly with respect to the bowl portion. A first opposed end is disposed in proximity to the bowl portion. A second opposed end is disposed remotely with respect to the bowl portion. A bridge is secured to the cover of the bowl portion. A length of steel wire is provided having a first end secured to the first opposed end of the elongated rod. The length of wire has a second end extending over the bridge for coupling with respect to the second opposed end of the elongated rod.

Abstract: A bow for a stringed instrument in which the tension of the hair (4) of the bow can be tightened and loosened by the performer while playing. The stick is divided into two parts (2,3). The parts (2,3) of the stick are rotatably joined about an axis (6). At least one of the parts (2,3) of the stick is extended in the form of an arm (5) from the axis (6) and the arm (5) can function as a lever for tightening the hair (4) of the bow by the performer's exertion of pressure between the arm (5) and the other part (2,3) of the stick.

Abstract: A stringed instrument practice bow guide is disclosed for assisting a student of stringed instruments in learning proper movement of a bow of the stringed instrument without aggravating noise caused by improper string crossings. In a particular embodiment the stringed instrument practice bow guide includes a board having a finger end and an opposed brace end; a frame removably affixed to the board; and, a bow track defining a bow passage for slidably securing the bow. The bow track is pivotally secured to the frame so that the bow passage is in a fixed, right-angle relationship with respect to a longitudinal axis of the board and adjustably pivots with respect to a transverse axis of the board. A pivot arm extends between the bow track and the frame to secure the bow track in a plurality of fixed positions relative to the transverse axis of the board.

Abstract: A device for practice bowing a stringed musical instrument for the purpose of teaching the movement of a real bow along a path perpendicular to the strings on the string instrument while maintaining a fixed sounding point. The bowing practice device comprises an elongated shaft simulating the ribbon of horsehair on a real bow. This shaft is movably supported in a sleeve which has a groove in the outer surface thereof for receiving a string of a string instrument. The string is held in the groove by two elastic O-rings supported on the sleeve. The movement of the shaft along a path essentially coaxial with the passageway through the string-positioned sleeve provides for movement of the practice device along a path essentially perpendicular to the strings on the string instrument.

Abstract: A violin bow guide has a rod (38) which is attached to the back of a bow (58). The rod (38) travels through a rod guide (36) which is held in place over the strings of the violin on a support (11) which attaches to the body of the violin. The rod guide (36) is pivotally mounted to permit the bow (58) to play on all the strings. Means are provided for adjusting the height of the rod above the strings, the position of the bow between the bridge and fingerboard of the violin, and the amount of resistance to movement of the rod through the rod guide. The rod guide (36) can be locked at a selected height above the strings or permitted to float freely up and down.

Abstract: This invention provides a practice training attachment for stringed instruments, to assist in the training of neophyte players or for the continued practice of advanced players, with respect to the correct positioning of the bow when playing the instrument by drawing the bow across the strings; the guide comprises base means, clamping means for securing the base means to the fingerboard of a stringed instrument, and preferably two guide members removably secured to the base means and designed to be positioned at and to extend from, a location above the base means a sufficient distance to avoid contact with the strings of the instrument. Preferably the guide means are formed of a rigid transparent material.

Abstract: A bow stroke simulator for stringed musical instruments to teach students correct bowing action. A tube is fixed to an instrument between the bridge and the fingerboard under the strings parallel to the bridge and a length of rod or dowel is positioned to slide in the tube to simulate the bow. The tube may be fixed to an instrument which simulates a stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A training attachment for a stringed instrument which is fixed in the F holes to extend across the strings and serve as a guide for assuring the correct use of the bow.

Abstract: A bow guide comprises a pair of stop members which are secured to a fingerboard gripping means by telescoping elements which provide for adjustment of the stop means relative to the fingerboard and relative to each other.