Abstract: An apparatus comprises a disc having a plurality of radially projecting slots, each slot configured to receive and hold a musical instrument pick. The disc may also comprise a protrusion configured to be pushed by a finger of a user of the apparatus to retrieve a pick from each of the slots in the disc.

Abstract: A system and method for ergonomic plectra with improved grip can include plectra with one or more cradles adapted to accommodate a finger of a user. The ergonomic plectra can be customized for an individual user by providing cradles with preferred sizes and/or angles adapted for the user. The ergonomic plectra can be modular, and can be built with module components. Module components can include nodes having different cradle sizes and angles.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described herein are directed at instruments and instrument accessories and their associated designs and methods of manufacture based on contoured surfaces and their acoustic properties. Exemplary embodiments may be used to broaden the basic design of stringed instruments or stringed instrument picks or the associated accessories to include forms in three dimensions or using and optimizing the acoustic and/or strength properties inherent in an infinite variety of shapes and sizes.

Abstract: An instrument pick has a triangular planar body; a concave thumb platform; and an index finger slot. The body has rounded vertices, including a plucking vertex. The thumb platform has concentric grooves and a thumb cavity sidewall extending between the thumb platform and the body to form a drainage cavity. The thumb platform sidewall has an opening that connects to the drainage cavity. The finger slot has a base flanked by a pair of curved side walls. The side walls taper together to form a ridge that resist the user's index finger from sliding towards the plucking vertex. The finger slot has ventilation openings that connect to the drainage cavity to collect perspiration. The pick stays in place between thumb and finger even with a loose grip and can be customized for different playing styles.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing, organizing and displaying picks for a stringed musical instrument includes a disc having a top, bottom, center and a circumference, and a plurality of slots extending radially between the center and circumference. Each slot is configured to receive and securely hold a musical instrument pick through the top of the disc, and a protrusion at the center of the top of the disc is configured to be pushed by a finger of a user of the apparatus to retrieve a pick from each of the plurality of slots.

Abstract: A barre chord device can include a strip of rubber, elastomeric or other resilient material with heat formed creases and protruding shims. A guitar player attaches the strip at discrete places to the index finger of his fretting hand. When the guitar musician performs a barre chord, the strip concentrates barre force to the strings. Shims press into the concave mid-finger keeping the strip straight on a string side to provide uniform barre pressure. Muscular effort is minimized. Creases cause the strip to fold neatly to a thumb side when the index finger is curled to perform non-barre chords and scales.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to a tool formed from a single material including an engagement portion to contact or engage a target material or item; a handle portion; and one or more openings such that a user may maintain skin-to-skin contact between the user's fingers, thumb, and/or hand. In accordance with some embodiments, the invention is directed to a tool that may also include: a pinch portion between the handle portion and the engagement portion, to be gripped or pinched by a user, the pinch portion comprising one or more openings or orifices such that skin-to-skin contact is maintained during use; and one or more protrusions, indents, textures, ridges, or other surface features on the pinch portion or handle portion to assist with a user's grip of the tool.

Abstract: A guitar pick or plectrum is provided for use with a stringed musical instrument. The guitar pick or plectrum includes a central body and a first picking wing portion peripherally extending from the central body a first longitudinal direction from the central body. The first picking wing portion includes an end portion and multiple layered picking edges each extending in the first longitudinal direction from the end portion and being spaced apart from each other a predefined distance. Each of multiple layered picking edges is configured to pick a same string on a single strum to provide a multiple sounds from a single strum when picking a single string.

Abstract: A guitar slide for use with a finger of a person on guitar strings of a guitar comprises a hollow body open at a first end and at a second end. The hollow body has an outside surface adapted for contacting the guitar strings of the guitar simultaneously, and an inside surface adapted to receive the person's finger therein. A spring clip is fixed with the inside surface of the hollow body and is adapted to pivot between a first position and a second position. The spring clip includes an urging mechanism to urge the spring clip into the first position. As such, the person inserts his finger into the hollow body, causing the spring clip to pivot towards the second position. The urging mechanism applies pressure to the person's finger to keep the guitar slide in place on the person's finger by friction, while the person plays the guitar.

Abstract: A device for altering the musical sounds produced by string instruments is disclosed. The device is adapted to be reversibly wrapped around and attached to a set of strings of a string instrument. The device includes a top portion and a bottom portion; an exterior surface and an interior surface; a sound altering material located on the interior surface at a location that is configured to make contact with the set of strings when the device is attached to a string instrument; one or more compartments located on the exterior surface that are configured to receive and hold a pick; and an aperture located on the exterior surface that is configured to receive and hold a string instrument tuner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a torsion based tremolo apparatus that uses a cylinder assembly to rotate part of the tremolo apparatus relative to a baseplate. The baseplate is used to mount the tremolo apparatus to a musical instrument, such as a guitar. A bridge string support assembly is coupled to the baseplate and, combined with a string holder, supports a string of the musical instrument. A torsion device is positioned to impart torsional force on the cylinder assembly relative to the baseplate. The string holder is coupled to the cylinder assembly and rotates when the cylinder assembly is rotated.

Abstract: A method for modeling a physical component is provided, the method comprising scanning the component to generate a point cloud, generating definitions of surfaces of the component from the point cloud, identifying vertices of edges at which the surfaces of the component meet, and converting the point cloud to a corresponding parameterized digital model of the component. In some example implementations, generating the definitions for a surface comprises: selecting data points of the point cloud that are within a determined spatial range from a frame of reference, identifying a planar surface formed by those data points that conform to a collinear pattern within the determined spatial range from the frame of reference or a cylindrical surface formed by those of the plurality of data points that do not conform to a collinear pattern and generating the definition of the surface from the planar or cylindrical surface as identified.

Abstract: A plectrum for striking a stringed instrument is planar so as to define a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The plectrum has a wide end a narrow end opposite the wide end. The plectrum includes: (a) a gripping portion disposed at the wide end, the gripping portion having a first thickness and a first flex; and (b) a thicker portion disposed at the narrow end, the thicker portion having a second thickness that is at least 10% greater than the first thickness and having a second flex that is less than the first flex, the plectrum defining a tip having a thickness greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: A pick for plucking a string of a stringed musical instrument is provided. The pick includes a planar body having front and rear sides, a distal end having a curved tip for plucking the string, a proximal end for gripping by a user; and a plurality of raised formations provided on at least one of the front and rear sides of the planar body at the distal end, the raised formations being structured and arranged at the distal end to strike the string more than once when the distal end plucks the string.

Abstract: A thumb pick for wearing on the thumb of a musician to strum guitar strings includes a pick having a front side, a rear side, a lower side terminating in a rounded point, and an upper side terminating at a pivot mechanism. A retaining ring has an inside surface, an outside surface, an upper side terminating at the pivot mechanism, and a lower side. The pivot mechanism includes two or more knuckles fixed with the upper side of the pick, two or more knuckles fixed with the upper side of the retaining ring, a pin traversing aligned apertures formed through the knuckles, and a coil spring urging the retaining ring towards the pick. In use, the musician wears the thumb pick encircling his thumb, so that he can strum the guitar strings with the pick.

Abstract: A section of (cured and non-liquid) textured foam includes at least a portion of an upper surface that substantially resembles a look of a human fingerprint for a purpose of providing enhanced grip traction between the at least the portion of the upper surface of the textured foam and a hand or a foot of a user of the textured foam. Disposed opposite of the upper surface of the textured foam may be an adhesive backing for attachment to a diverse variety of exterior surfaces where improved grip traction are desired. Systems and methods for making such textured foam that substantially resembles a look of a human fingerprint may utilize a heating means and a compression means.

Abstract: An illustrated view of an exemplary guitar pick for strumming guitar strings is presented. The guitar pick is useful for always being in a proper place for strumming the guitar strings. The guitar pick is further easy to place on one's finger and to use. The guitar pick is further efficient in costs.

Abstract: Improvements in stringed instrument playing tool is disclosed. The guitar pick stick has curved and flat surfaces that allows the tool to strike one or multiple strings using the curved surface or to strike multiple strings using the side of the curved surface to reach end strings or all of the strings on the instrument. The end can be pointed, fanned or have other shapes that further be used to pick or strum individual strings. Using the different areas can produce different sounds and in addition, striking the strings at different locations along the length of the strings can produce different tonal effects. A raised area can exist in the center or off-center of the guitar pick stick and allows the user to rub the raised area of the guitar pick stick across one or a variety of strings to provide a different acoustical sound.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described herein are directed at instruments and instrument accessories and their associated designs and methods of manufacture based on contoured surfaces and their acoustic properties. Exemplary embodiments may be used to broaden the basic design of stringed instruments or stringed instrument picks or the associated accessories to include forms in three dimensions or using and optimizing the acoustic and/or strength properties inherent in an infinite variety of shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing stringed instruments comprising: providing an apparatus comprising: a first member, wherein the first member is configured to strike or strum one or more strings of the stringed instrument; and a second member comprising: a main body coupled to and extending from a portion of the first member; a first handle extending from the main body and configured to be gripped between the thumb and index finger; and a second handle extending from the opposite side of the main body from the first handle and configured to be gripped with a middle, ring, and/or pinky finger; gripping the first handle between the thumb and index finger; gripping the second handle with the middle, ring, and/or pinky finger; and striking or strumming the strings of a stringed instrument with the first member to cause the strings to vibrate. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention is a guitar pick with a slot or channel for attaching the pick to guitars, guitar straps, clothing buttons, beads, and other accommodations and also the slot being able to control the orientation and retention of the instrument pick. The slot allows for attachments to be made to the picks, for enhanced gripping, for tonal changes, for offsetting finger dulling effects, and for stacking/adjoining for a variety of effects.

Abstract: A guitar pick holder uses a finger or thumb worn ring to which the guitar pick is attached. The ring has a riser on its outer circumference, the riser having a pair of opposing openings. An offset clasp is rotatably received within the opening of the guitar pick with the guitar pick slid to a desired position on the offset clasp. The offset clasp is rotatably attached to the riser via a pair of prongs on the offset clasp that face each other such that each prong is received within one of the riser openings. The prongs are able to rotate within their respective opening.

Abstract: A personalized guitar pick formed from the impressions of a player's fingers manually imprinted on first and/or second sides of the pick is disclosed. Specifically, the first side of the pick is deformed in a thumb-shaped depression while a second side of the pick is molded into a shape corresponding to the index and/or middle fingers after heating the pick to a predetermined melting temperature that corresponds with the thermoplastic material that forms the pick. A method of forming a personalized guitar pick is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus can include: a bottom surface formed on a body, the body having a left side, a right side, a proximal end, and a distal end; an intermediate surface formed on the body; and a top surface formed on the body, the top surface coupled to the intermediate surface with upward extending sides therebetween, the upward extending sides and the top surface forming a first lateral ridge extended from the left side of the body to the right side of the body, the upward extending sides and the top surface forming a second lateral ridge extended from the left side of the body to the right side of the body, the upward extending sides and the top surface forming a longitudinal ridge between the first lateral ridge and the second lateral ridge, and the first lateral ridge and the second lateral ridge forming a thumb recess therebetween.

Abstract: A guitar pick with an improved grip has a body. The body has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a top picking area and a top gripping area. The bottom surface has a bottom picking area and a bottom gripping area. At least one of the top gripping area or the bottom gripping area has an abrasive substrate. The abrasive substrate is applied to the at least one of top gripping area or the bottom gripping area by an electroplating process. In some embodiments, the abrasive substrate is only on the top gripping area; in other embodiments, the abrasive substrate is only on the bottom gripping area; and, yet in other embodiments, the abrasive substrate is on both the top gripping area and the bottom gripping area.

Abstract: Described is a pick for use with a stringed instrument, the pick being constructed of a polyimide material. Because of the various physical properties of the polyimide material, the pick exhibits increased dimensional stability, desirable lubricity throughout the pick, increased resistance to wear, and desirable rigidity. The combined properties of the pick provide exceptional tonality and longevity.

Abstract: The original contoured thumb and finger pick for players of stringed instruments introduced an incredible innovation for guitar players and others. Improvements based on this unique concept have transformed a useful tool into an extremely comfortable and natural strumming aid. The pick saddle totally follows the thumb and finger contours for greater comfort and the band is secured to the pick with a low profile post.

Abstract: A guitar pick and case assembly comprises a guitar pick having a front end for engaging the string of a musical instrument and a rear end for engaging a case. The case for accommodating the guitar pick comprises a chamber and a slot for providing access to the chamber, the case releasably accommodating the guitar pick.

Abstract: A guitar picking device includes a first securement body, having a first lip to secure around a first finger; a second securement body, having a second lip to secure around a second finger; and a guitar pick secured between the first securement body and the second securement body; the guitar pick faces away from a user's knuckles when the first securement body and the second securement body are secured around the first and second finger.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for contacting a set of strings of a stringed instrument. The device has a body with a pick on a first end and an applicator on a second end.

Abstract: An apparatus for a finger of a user to play a stringed instrument is disclosed herein. The apparatus for a finger of a user to play a stringed instrument includes a string pick and an elastic securing band or sleeve, which persistently secures the pick to a finger of a user. The apparatus for a finger of a user to play a stringed instrument allows users with compromised dexterity or reduced hand strength to play a stringed instrument with a single finger. It also allows musicians to easily change between different playing styles such as strumming, finger style, or pick play style through rotation of the string pick about the finger of a user.

Abstract: A thumb pick is provided that includes a harness and plectrum. The harness is provided for securely holding the plectrum in firm engagement with a guitar player's thumb. The harness includes a strap contoured to fit around the thumb in advance of the first knuckle. The harness has a central portion with a slot therein to receive and hold the plectrum firmly against the undersurface of the thumb with the pointed end of the plectrum protruding through the slot in a playing position.

Abstract: A one-piece, hand-held device that enables users to pick, pluck, strum, or strike strings of a musical instrument simultaneously. The device comprises a first planar plectrum having a grasping surface and a striking surface in the same plane and a second planar plectrum secured to the first planar plectrum by a bracket located at the midsection of the first planar plectrum the top of the second planar plectrum, wherein the first planar plectrum is substantially parallel to the second planar plectrum.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described herein are directed at instruments and instrument accessories and their associated designs and methods of manufacture based on contoured surfaces and their acoustic properties. Exemplary embodiments may be used to broaden the basic design of stringed instruments or stringed instrument picks or the associated accessories to include forms in three dimensions or using and optimizing the acoustic and/or strength properties inherent in an infinite variety of shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A guitar pick is of a larger size than traditional picks and shaped as a roughly equilateral triangle. The pick has holes therethrough, with 3 of the holes equidistant from each vertex of the pick. A fourth hole may extend through the pick's center.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an aid for playing a stringed instrument in the form of a glove comprising a plectrum protruding from the glove thumb tip and/or from one or more of the glove finger tips. The field of use in hand devices for playing stringed instruments. The aid for playing a stringed musical instrument, comprises: a glove with a glove thumb comprising a thumb plectrum rigidly connected to a rigid thumb portion of the glove thumb, wherein the rigid thumb portion encircles or partially encircles the glove thumb to hold the thumb plectrum snug on a thumb of the glove wearer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a guitar pick or plectrum for use with a stringed musical instrument and which is constructed with generally two or three veneers which are adhered to each other such that each veneer is cross grain to each adjacently adhered veneer. In other embodiments, the tip portion of the plectrum has a gauge less than the grip portion of the plectrum.

Abstract: A first ferromagnetic piece of metal is attached to the inside surface of a stringed musical instrument such as an acoustic guitar, allowing an external magnetic mount to be attached to the musical instrument through the magnetic force of the magnetic mounts magnet on the first ferromagnetic piece of metal. One or more electronic device equipped with one or more ferromagnetic elements trapped, sandwiched, mounted on or made part of the device and/or a device protective case may then be softly, removably and firmly mounted to the outer surface of the instrument without chemically adhering to or disturbing the outer surface of the instrument through magnetic attachment to the magnetic mount. The inner-mounted ferromagnetic element may be attached permanently or removably to the inner surface of the instrument, so that the external magnetic mount may have its position adjusted for optimizing the position of the externally mounted device.

Abstract: The guitar pick retrieval tool is a hand tool that is configured to retrieve a pick that has fallen into the sound hole of a guitar. The guitar pick retrieval tool comprises an adhesive tip, a flexible shaft, and a handle. The handle is attached to an end of the flexible shaft. The adhesive tip is attached to the end of the flexible shaft that is distal from the handle. The flexible shaft is a semi-rigid shaft. The flexible shaft does not behave in an elastic manner. The semi-rigid nature of the flexible shaft allows the shaft to be bent into an arbitrary but stationary position which will be maintained until the flexible shaft is subsequently manipulated. The adhesive tip captures the pick by adhering to the pick when the adhesive tip is placed against the pick.

Abstract: A guitar pick with an internal cutout feature which enables the pick to securely clip to thin articles such as guitar straps. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: An improved stringed instrument pick having a two-piece configuration including a holding device having a finger hole associated therewith and a pick member selectively engageable with the holding device, the pick member having a first playing surface and a second playing surface joined together at a joinder edge so as to form a V-shaped configuration. The first and second playing surfaces include first and second prong members respectively for engaging corresponding slots associated with the holding device. The pick member is selectively engageable with the holding device such that a user can use a differently angled or sized pick member with the same holding device depending upon the particular stringed instrument being played and/or to achieve a particular style or sound. As such, the present pick provides multiple playing surfaces which can be utilized in a wide variety of different ways to play a particular stringed instrument.

Abstract: A guitar aid enables a user to selectively position and control tension and angle of a guitar pick for a richer sound with decreased strain on the user's hand and fingers. The guitar aid can includes a ring member defining an opening sized and shaped to fit around a finger of a user and a pick retainer unitarily formed with the ring member and configured to secure a guitar pick therein. The pick retainer can include first, second, and third retentions arms extending outwardly from the ring member and defining pick receiving channels configured to receive and secure a guitar pick therein. The guitar aid can also include at least one retention nub extending upwardly from and unitarily formed with the ring member, the retention nub being configured to contact a body of the guitar pick when the guitar pick is positioned within the pick receiving channels.

Abstract: The present invention is a guitar pick with an integral strap holder. The present invention comes in a variety of embodiments. In one set of embodiments, a slot can be made in the guitar pick, for accommodating a guitar strap. In another set of embodiments, a breakaway shaft can be connected to the guitar pick. The breakaway shaft contains a toothed slot for accommodating a guitar strap.

Abstract: A musical instrument accessory for optimizing the comfort and ease with which musicians can play instruments. The accessory can be manufactured as a high end accessory made with gems and/or can be customized to provide a unique aesthetic appearance. In a preferred embodiment, the accessory allows for multiple picks to be detachably stored which may have different sizes and shapes.

Abstract: Guitar pick uniquely designed for “variability and versatility” strumming. The apparatus shape is ergonomic and designed to optimize human factors i.e. musical transfer of energy from pick to strings in an ideal manner. The apparatus picking surface and corresponding tip(s) can take advantage of an array of material(s) while utilizing a rubber-like grip. Furthermore, the invention contains three equally spaced lobes with at least one lobe being defined with a continuous rounded edge-surface. Collectively, the guitar pick has three different lobe tips located along various radial(s) positioned at 360-135-225 degrees (reference to a 360 degree circle) with a predetermined distance from center point to individual lobe tip. Moreover, each planar lobe runs along the picks longitudinal as well as lateral axis and can utilize different material gauges. Rotation of the guitar pick i.e. moving from lobe to lobe . . . is achieved utilizing grooves that are geometrically relational to the union between each plane.

Abstract: A fingernail pick having improved fingernail attachment systems and playing surfaces that are shaped for improved sound quality and ease of playing of stringed instruments.

Abstract: The Improved Guitar Plectrum Retainer of the present invention is mechanically fastened to bracketing in the pickguard location. The intended use of the present invention is to provide ease in alternating between plectrum and non plectrum techniques. The location and design of the improved retainer facilitate that ease of transition. When wishing to insert the plectrum into the retainer the practitioner need only contact the elongated cover of the retainer with the tip of the plectrum and slide the plectrum along the inner surface of the cover.

Abstract: A plectrum or pick for an instrument is provided. The pick includes: a pick body having a central portion configured to be held by a user and a tip configured to contact an instrument string; at least one sensor arranged on or embedded in the pick body and configured to sense information representative of a pluck of the string with the pick body; and at least one pressure sensor arranged on or embedded in the pick body. The at least one pressure sensor can be configured to sense pressure between the pick body and the user's hand. The pick also includes a wireless transmitter configured to obtain information from the respective sensors and to transmit the obtained information to a remote device. A system for providing feedback to a user regarding picking techniques including an instrument pick and feedback device is also provide.

Abstract: A handheld device for controlling a vibration of a resonant musical member of a musical instrument includes a handheld housing; at least one transducer on the housing that is configured to sense a proximity and/or vibration of a resonant musical member and output an actuating vibratory electromagnetic force based on the vibration of the resonant musical member; and a haptic component on the housing that is configured to output a tactile feedback responsive to a location and/or vibration of a resonant musical member.

Abstract: A pick for use with stringed musical instruments is disclosed. In some embodiments the pick is characterized by a roughened texture on the front and back substantially planar surfaces of the narrowed bottom portion of a substantially teardrop shaped body for the purpose of altering the tonal properties produced as it moves against strings that are strummed or picked. In further embodiments the roughened textured picking portion is combined with a separate second picking portion that is substantially smooth and useable to produce a conventional sound.