Abstract: A holder for stringed instrument picks is provided in which picks may be temporarily stored by inserting them between adjacent pairs of parallel vanes, which are resiliently displaced to retain the pick. In one embodiment, the vanes may be formed by the coils of a helical spring, and the holder may be attached to the face of a musical instrument or to another convenient flat or curved surface. For more secure or longer term storage, a pick may be inserted in compression between the spring and an underlying pad. A rod may be passed through the spring coils to prevent distortion and movement of the spring.

Abstract: A pick for stringed musical instruments comprising a pick head 10, pick face 11, upper striking surface 12, pick ears 13, pick neck 14, pick body 16, pick arms 18, pick tail 20, and click muffling and pick arm restraining material 22. Said pick is worn around the distal phalange of the fingers or thumb such that said pick head is worn over the nail. Said pick head can be bent and shaped to have a desired curvature or to follow the curvature of said nail. Said pick tail acts as a counterpressure to the upward pressure which occurs on said pick head during the musical function called an upstroke, thus preventing said pick head from lifting excessively away from said nail. The portion of said pick head that extends beyond the fingertip can be adjusted, even during the playing operation, by sliding said pick further in or out along said distal phalange.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in thumb picks for stringed musical instruments whereby the pick is self secured to the thumb and can be utilized in both the upstroke and downstroke without the aid of any other finger. The pick consists of an oval shaped band formed to match the shape of a user's thumb and which applies a compressive force upon the thumb. A picking tip traverses at the bottom of said pick at an attitude approximately perpendicular to the instrument strings. A tip support element cooperates with said tip by providing additional strength thereto. An open section of said band permits flexibility thereof and is positioned to prevent a string from accidently catching itself therein.

Abstract: An artificial guitar pick including a coupler for attaching an artificial nail to the end of a natural nail. The coupler has grooves into which the natural nail and the artificial nail are inserted. The artificial nail has a curvature that approximates that of natural nails. The guitar pick does not cause any unnatural feeling to the player.

Abstract: A musical instrument pick comprises a pair of generally cylindrical handles maintained in a spaced parallel relationship by a pair of generally cylindrical supports. One of the cylindrical handles is fabricated from two semicylindrical portions which are secured together by a pair of circular clamps. A flexible musical pick is captivated between the semicylindrical half portions and extends downwardly from the handle. The instrument pick is intended for therapeutic and instructional use and is capable of being simultaneously grasped by two persons.

Abstract: The device for retaining a slide and a pick to a stringed instrument includes a generally rectangular base having a top surface, and an arm unit extending over the base top surface. The arm unit includes an obliquely oriented slot arranged to accept and retain the pick therein. A gripping member extending from the arm unit forms a slide accepting area between the gripping member and the base top surface. A perimeter wall of the slide is inserted into the slide accepting area allowing the gripping member to apply a compressive force to the slide, retaining the slide to the device.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in picks for stringed instruments whereby the pick has multiple edges which displace the string of the instrument by multiple impacts for each stroke thereof. The multiple impacts result in a revibration of the string which increases the harmonic content of the produced sound and creates a sound which is unique and different from that of a standard pick. The sound has a higher treble, is clearer with higher overtones, and provides a higher pitch than picks of the prior art. The pick consists of a center element central between two outer elements with the center element slightly longer than the outer elements, thereby giving the pick multiple edges. This arrangement permits the pick to be equally functional in both the upstroke and the downstroke.

Abstract: A pick holder for a guitar is mounted in a cradle portion of a side wall of a guitar and contains a strip having a plurality of pick-receiving pockets. The pick holder has a first fastening portion affixed to the guitar body and a second fastening portion containing the pick-receiving pockets. The two fastening portions enable the strip of pick-receiving pockets to be detachably fastened to the guitar body.

Abstract: A pick for a stringed musical instrument having a fingernail shaped body, an annular band secured to the front face of the lower portion of the body, and a strip secured to the back face of the upper portion of the body, the strip criss-crossing intermediate the body and having ends secured to the band. The band and the strip are made of a stretchable material such as rubber.

Abstract: A pick for a stringed instrument having a finger gripping portion and a picking portion where the thumb side gripping is formed with a generally rectangular recess and the forefinger gripping side is a generally rectangular slot having a nominal center line forming a substantial transverse angle with the length of the thumb gripping portion.

Abstract: A pick for stringed musical instruments comprises a substantially planar pick body and a stylus on the body having a conical tip portion which extends outwardly beyond the periphery of the body terminating in a point. The pick is adapted to facilitate the application of alternate picking techniques by reducing the criticality of precisely positioning the pick so that it contacts a string of an instrument at substantially the same angle and substantially the same picking depth on each picking stroke.

Abstract: A single or unitary piece of resilient molded plastic having a pair of pick blades that individually taper at one end and converge at the opposite end to form a common grip or handle. The blades are situated in parallel relation to each other and one blade is slightly offset from the other.

Abstract: A thumb pick is provided for attachment to a musician's thumb. The thumb pick includes a string-engaging portion and an integral main body portion including straps for selectively defining a thumb-receiving passageway. The straps are movable between a substantially flat dormant position and a bowed thumb-receiving position. The string-engaging portion and the main body portion are substantially coplanar when the straps are in their dormant position. The string-engaging portion is positioned to extend transverse to the axis of the thumb and on a plane that is common to that axis.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in picks for stringed instruments which allows the user to firmly grip the pick for long periods of time without the customary fatigue associated with typical picks of today. Due to its unique construction, the improved pick is stronger and is securely storeable within the instrument's strings, thereby allowing longer usage of each pick. The pick is of the standard size and shape in use today except for the improvement thereon which is a singular raised portion on one surface and a complementary depression of the other surface. The user's forefinger lies within the depression and the thumb lies perpendicular across the raised portion for a firm, secure and comfortable grip.

Abstract: A guitar pick includes a pick element having a top edge thereon, and a band attached to the pick element adjacent its top edge. The band is relatively stiff but deformable and comprises two angularly disposed band portions meeting at a juncture 50. The thumb-adjacent portion subtends a 90.degree. circular arc and is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the pick element, and 45.degree. relative to the axis of the pick element. The other band portion subtends a 225.degree. circular arc and is disposed in a plane 135.degree. relative to the pick element. The pick element is thereby movable from a playing position to a position where it does not interfere with the player's hand.

Abstract: A microphone stand mountable holder includes an upwardly oriented spring clip section for removably receiving and retaining each of a plurality of plectra for use by a performer at the microphone. Slots for detachably securing packs of plectra extending laterally provide for a readily accessible supply of plectra.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plectrum 1 or 10 which has means 2 or 11 which can strike a string of a stringed musical instrument a plurality of times during a single playing stroke. This provides an enchanced, more complicated, sound as compared to that produced by a single strike on a string.

Abstract: A stringed instrument pick of highly resilient spring material and preferably of a Beryllium Copper alloy and the like, whereby thickness is reduced to a distinct range of thinness conducive to accuracy in performance, and with initial deflections followed by instantaneous return to a planar condition without permanent deformation, for the predictable positioning of the picking edge within the fractional second time frame of plucking.

Abstract: A combined pick and stringed instrument tuning device includes a relatively flat, substantially rectangularly shaped housing having a pick attached thereto and is small enough to be easily held in one's hand. A momentary contact push-button switch mounted on top of the housing controls an electronic tuning circuit by selecting one of several predetermined frequencies from a frequency generator. In one embodiment, the tuning circuit is mounted in the housing so that the tuning device is totally self-contained. Alternatively, the tuning circuit is remotely located and is controlled by a cable connected to the housing or by radio signals. The frequency selected is displayed on the housing and the frequency generator drives a strobe light located near the pick. In another embodiment, a microphone mounted on the housing converts sounds from the string being tuned to a signal which is compared to the preselected frequency.

Abstract: A musician's pick (10) having both a pick portion (26) and an upper grip portion (24). The pick portion (26) and upper grip portion (24) are angularly oriented each with respect to the other in a predetermined manner. Grip portion (24) is generally semi-circular in contour and includes a predetermined diameter adapted to interface with the thumb and forefinger of a user on opposing surfaces thereof. The pick portion (26) includes a predetermined extended length adapted to engage strings (14) of a guitar (12) at a predetermined depth when the grip portion (24) is interfaced by the thumb and forefinger of the user. The predetermined angular orientation between the pick portion (26) and the grip portion (24) of the pick (10) allows the pick portion (26) to engage the strings (14) in a generally parallel relation despite the normal, non-parallel relation between the strings (14) and the longitudinal axis (20) of a user's forearm (18).

Abstract: A combined pick and stringed instrument tuning device includes a relatively flat, substantially rectangularly shaped housing having a pick attached thereto and is small enough to be easily held in one's hand. A momentary contact push-button switch mounted on top of the housing controls an electronic tuning circuit by selecting one of several predetermined frequencies from a frequency generator. In one embodiment, the tuning circuit is mounted in the housing so that the tuning device is totally self-contained. Alternatively, the tuning circuit is remotely located and is controlled by a cable connected to the housing or by radio signals. The frequency selected is displayed on the housing and the frequency generator drives a strobe light located near the pick. In another embodiment, a microphone mounted on the housing converts sounds from the string being tuned to a signal which is compared to the preselected frequency.

Abstract: A plectrum ring comprises a ring element having a boss with a recess in the lower portion thereof dimensioned and configured to support therein the finger adjacent the finger wearing the ring element. A stud element projects upwardly from the boss for adjustably mounting a plectrum thereon, the axis of the stud element being substantially tangential to the finger wearing the ring element.

Abstract: The disclosed guitar pick is a completely inflexible stringed instrument plectrum, ideally 3MM.+-.15% thick; three specific tip shapes and edge tapers, offer the selection of mutually exclusive and distinctly different unyielding picking points. This shape and taper gradient results in a different "feel", articulation, and string attack for each of the three available tips.

Abstract: A guitar pick array comprises a plurality of guitar picks mounted in a handle so that the guitar picks are parallel to each other and spaced apart. The array is tapered, the tips of the guitar picks lying along either a single line or two lines making an angle with each other.Drawing the array across the strings of a guitar results in the production of a tone which differs substantially from and is substantially more pleasant than the tone produced by a single pick.

Abstract: A pick or plectrum having a plurality of rounded corners each adapted for selectively engaging the strings of a musical instrument and each having a degree of flexibility different from that of the others. Resilient plastic is molded into a single piece with holes adjacent at least two of the playing corners with the holes being of different sizes so that the playing corners have different flexibility.

Abstract: A pick having a pair of relatively spaced pick blades integrally connected and unitarily formed of a flexible and resilient material such that the normally spaced-apart relation of the string-engaging blades is selectively variable for changing the interval between sequential contacts of the blades with the strings of a musical instrument.

Abstract: An instrument pick which is designed to facilitate use by the player of a stringed instrument. The pick has a standard planar body with parallel raised surfaces attached on each side of the body. These raised surfaces are spaced a distance equal to the width of a normal human finger and thereby form a channel which the finger may rest in and is cradled by. In order to effect a secure grip of the pick, the channel formed on one face of the pick runs laterally of the pick while the channel on the opposite face runs longitudinally of the pick, thereby forcing the fingers of the user to be placed properly on the instrument pick.

Abstract: A nonslip guitar pick is disclosed, including a palm piece attached to the pick by means of a flexible connection, which palm piece and flexible connection cooperate to prevent the guitar pick from rotating in and slipping from the fingers of a guitar player.

Abstract: A stringed musical pick or plectrum dispenser for receiving, retaining, and dispensing a pick, the dispenser being mounted in fixed relation to an instrument sound board adjacent the instrument strings. Each pick is wafer thin and generally triangular in shape. The dispenser may be mounted on a pick guard which has a first edge alignable with the instrument string that is last plucked to guard against, and prevent, continued downward travel of the pick thus protecting the finish on the instrument sound board. A dispenser housing has a perimetral wall with upper and lower edges. The housing defines in cross-section the general configuration of a pick. A bottom side is affixed to the lower wall edge and a top side is affixed to the upper wall edge. A pick receiving and dispensative opening is formed in the top side. The opening receives a pick and provides an inner surface for engaging and retaining the pick in the dispenser while exposing a pick surface through the opening.

Abstract: A thumb pick for stringed musical instruments comprised of a flat triangular shaped main body. A short hook projects outwardly at right angles from the lower portion of said main body. One end of a flexible band is anchored to a hole near the top of said main body; the other end of said flexible band is anchored to said hook and stretches over the thumb nail holding the pick in place with a positive non-slip grip.

Abstract: A harness is provided for securely holding a conventional plectrum or pick in firm engagement with a guitar player's thumb, the harness consisting of a simple flexible and resilient strap contoured to fit around the thumb in advance of the first knuckle and being provided with a central portion which is slit to receive and hold the pick firmly against the undersurface of the thumb with the pointed end of the pick protruding through one of the slits into playing position.

Abstract: A retractable guitar pick used in combination with a guitar, wherein the present device is mounted to the housing thereof similarly to the control knobs now located thereon. The retractable guitar pick comprises a housing mounted to the body of the guitar adjacent existing controls so as not to interfere with the playing of the strings thereof. A retractable cable is disposed in the housing wherein there is a lock button to hold or release the cable having a typical guitar pick attached to the free end thereof. The cable is attached to a take-up spring which is held in various positions, to allow the pick to reach any location along the guitar to strike the strings thereof.

Abstract: A generally triangular base of electrically insulative material has a base edge and a vertex area opposite the base edge. A guitar pick is mounted in the base at the vertex edge thereof and extends therefrom to form a triangular configuration. A sheet of electrically conductive material is embedded in the base in spaced parallel proximity with the base edge. A microphone is embedded in the base and extends between the pick and the sheet of electrically conductive material and in close proximity with each. Electrically conductive material is electrically connected to the microphone and to the sheet in the base and extends out of the base for connection to an amplifier.

Abstract: A pick for use on stringed musical instruments is shown as having a main body portion which carries a tongue-like portion or extension effective for engaging the string or strings of a musical instrument. The body portion comprises a base the effective cross-sectional thickness of which is significantly greater than the cross-sectional thickness of the tongue-like portion or extension. In one form of the invention the pick is shown as being entirely integrally formed while in another form of the invention the pick is shown as being comprised of separate fabricated parts assembled to each other.

Abstract: A body member formed of a length of wire-like material has side extensions arranged to engage longitudinally the under portion of a finger adjacent each side. The body member has a front projecting portion comprising a string picking head, and a flexible strap is secured at opposite ends thereof to the side extensions of the body member for holding the pick on a musician's finger. The strap is adjustable in length to adjust to different size fingers and is also adjustable longitudinally along the side extensions. The body member preferably has the characteristics of spring steel wire whereby to be sufficiently rigid for picking but at the same time is bendable into selected shapes to provide various picking head arrangements and also to be made to conform to the contour of a musician's finger. The picking head may have a resilient picking surface for tone quality.

Abstract: The invention is a plectrum or pick for a guitar or other stringed musical instrument played with a pick. In particular, the invention is a pick and pick holder conformable to the contours of the forearm of a wrist amputee, the invention also providing a method for making the present prosthetic pick structure.