Abstract: A reed enhancing device is provided which is adapted for use with a musical instrument including a hollow mouthpiece, a reed, and a ligature removably secured about the mouthpiece and the reed. The device includes a piece of material adapted for being positioned between the ligature and the reed.

Abstract: A mouth-pipe of a saxophone is disclosed. A mouth-pipe is covered on a top of a saxophone wind tube. A high pitch hole is installed on the upper end of the mouth-pipe which is pivotally installed with an octave key. A key cover is installed at the inner surface of the upper end of the octave key, and the key cover presses against the high pitch hole of the mouth-pipe. A ring is formed at the lower end of the octave key. A push rod connected to a high pitch key is installed above the saxophone wind tube. If the high pitch key does not press the high pitch hole, a high pitch is emitted; while if the high pitch key is released, a low pitch is emitted; Two long ear seats facing with one another are installed at the pivotal position of the octave key, and a convex point is formed at a lower end of each long ear seat. Two opposite long pivotal seats are placed at the pivotal positions of the mouth-pipe.

Abstract: The present invention features a water-repelling octave assembly consisting of an octave bowl having an elongated, hollow portion extending beyond the inner wall of the octave well into the bore of an oboe. The extended portion of the octave vent prevents moisture within the oboe's bore from entering the octave bowls and thereby disabling the upper register of the instrument. The inventive octave bowl provides an oboe which can be played for prolonged periods of time without need for swabbing by eliminating the accumulation of water in the oboe's octave vents. The invention also works well with the English horn, oboe d'amore and may be applied to other woodwind instruments.

Abstract: This application relates to various stepped pitch instruments crafted to a novel musical tuning system for the generated frequencies. As such, the tone selection devices are arranged to a distinct set of interval specifications when compared to the tone selection devices for a prior art instrument crafted to sound the common frequencies of 12 tone equal temperament. To generate the bicameral tones, the preferred tuning system utilizes two different series of Pythagorean perfect fifths separated by a known reference interval. Relative to 12 tone, the instant tuning system is primarily concerned both with improving the sour major and minor thirds and perfecting the slightly flat fifths. Substantially fewer tones per octave are used than the number required by standard just intonation. Various modifications to existing prior art instruments are described, as well as a novel enharmonic multitone keyboard.

Abstract: An acoustical reflector (10) formed by a pair of assembled panels (17, 18), each of which including one or more mouths (45) spaced from one another in ring-like fashion about a centrally disposed opening (27) for the reflector (10), the panels (17, 18) rotatably adjustable independently of one another. Each pair of mouths (45) between the panels (17, 18) cooperate to provide a channel (47) through the panels (17, 18) in the adjustability of the panels. Channel (47) is variable in its capacity for transmitting sound through the reflector (10) and for reflecting sound by utilizing the reflecting surface of one of the outer panel faces (either 21 or 22) with a portion of a facing surface (either 23 or 24) of the alternate panel to reflect back the sound to its source or instrument player's ear(s) for a determination of tonal blend, accurate pitch, or volume balance.

Abstract: Tone holes are formed in a bell joint and a long joint for producing lower register tones Bb, B, C, C#, D and Eb and obliquely extend with respect to a center axis of an air passage formed in the joints in such a manner as to have inner ends closer to a tone hole assigned to a higher register tone than the outer ends thereof, and the oblique tone holes suppress undesirable sharpness in intonation and allow a player to smoothly produce the sounds.

Abstract: An acoustical ring and bell sound system 10 for use with a variety 101, 102, 103 of musical wind instruments 100; wherein, the sound system comprises an acoustical ring element 21 and an acoustical bell element 31 dimensioned to releasably engage the proximal 104 and distal 105 ends of the musical instrument 100 for producing air turbulence control in the interior of the instrument 100.

Abstract: A interchangeable bore clarinet barrel system is provided which eliminates the need for substituting one clarinet barrel for another in order to change tone color, intonation, and response characteristics. The barrel system is attachable to adjacent portions of a clarinet and includes a barrel body and a bore removably attached to the body. The body may be in two sections, or a single-piece unitary barrel body. The bore may be frictionally fitted or threadedly received into the barrel body. Tone rings and sleeves allow alteration of the tone color, intonation and response characteristics of the clarinet.

Abstract: A set of attachments for securing to the thumb rest of a saxophone and its adjacent octave key which helps the beginning student and professional players alike to maintain a more natural and proper left hand placement relative to the instrument. The attachments include a polymeric, saddle shaped pad adapted to fit over the left hand thumb rest of the saxophone and a curved, polymeric pad attachable to the adjacent octave key, both attachments adhered to the instrument by an adhesive, the attachments maintaining proper alignment of the left thumb perpendicularly to the octave key and the left hand in a proper, relaxed playing and holding position, the curved octave key pad being of sufficient height and shape to allow a smooth, sliding transition, thus allowing the left thumb to depress the octave key without leaving the thumb rest or changing relative angle position.

Abstract: The present invention is a practice chanter for simulating a bagpipe chanter. In its most basic form, the practice chanter of the present invention includes a flexible airtube, a fipple head attached to the flexible airtube, and a rigid whistle tube attached to the fipple head. In this basic embodiment, the whistle tube includes a plurality of holes disposed at predetermined locations along the length of the whistle tube corresponding to locations of holes in the predetermined bagpipe chanter, with each of the holes having a predetermined diameter such that the key and pitch of notes produced by the practice chanter correspond to notes produced by the bagpipe chanter. In the preferred embodiment, the practice chanter is dimensioned to simulate an Uilleann Pipe chanter.

Abstract: Pad assemblies are described having novel backing disks, a cushion layer in contact with a surface of the backing disk, and a skin covering the cushion and at least one surface to the backing disk. The novel backing disks have a flexible outer collar that in conjunction with the cushion provides support for the pad's sealing surface and maintains an even tension on the pad's skin. Preferred embodiments providing additional support for the pad's sealing surface further utilize a backing disk having an inner collar, coaxial to the flexible outer collar, and have a cushion extending between the collars and over the inner collar. As a result of the improved support, fewer tears in the pad's skin result from repeated contacts with the tone hole and from fluctuations in the skin's moisture content.

Abstract: A woodwind instrument changes the pitch of sound by selectively closing and opening tone holes by means of a key mechanism, and a player manipulates the key mechanism so as to bring tampons respectively received in key cups into contact with edges defining the tone holes; when a manufacturer shapes the key cups, he forms grooves in the bottom portions of the key cups for regulating the key cup to appropriate weight, and the player feels the key-touch light and comfortable.

Abstract: A key-pad operating mechanism of the saxophone for forcibly separating a normally closed key-pad from the tone hole seat via an arm using the leverage principle by pressing the operating lever for the normally closed key-pad even if the normally closed key-pad is stuck to the tone hole seat. The mechanism can easily open the normally closed key-pad without affecting any traditional maneuverability of the instrument and prevents key-pads from becoming inoperable during a play.

Abstract: Ready movement of a thumb between positional placement locations on a woodwind musical instrument is provided by incorporating a roller within a thumb transfer device. The thumb transfer device comprises a thumb position combination having a thumb rest, a thumb key and a roller situated between the thumb rest and the thumb key. The thumb enjoys a rolling contact with the roller during the transfer. Height adjustment means allow the musician to adjusted the relative height of the various components to ensure a comfortable orientation during play.

Abstract: A woodwind-styled electronic musical instrument comprises an instrument body of an elongated rod shape provided with a plurality of manipulating note keys arranged thereon for designating musical notes to be played, and a mouthpiece arranged at the top end of the instrument body and including a lip sensor for detecting a bite condition of the player. Musical tones are produced according to the designation by the note keys and to the bite condition. On the front surface of the instrument body in the slope area near the top end thereof are arranged a first and second LED'S. In a tight-lip control condition, the bite condition is detected to be neutral level when the lip sensor detects a middle extent of the bite degree, while in a loose-lip control condition, the bite condition is detected to be neutral level when the lip sensor detects a substantially zero extent of the bite degree.

Abstract: A resonator for the mouthpiece of a musical reed instrument which solidifies and enhances the instrument's sound. The resonator fits on the tenon of the mouthpiece. The resonator includes an annular member with an inner surface dimensioned and sized to fit on the tenon. A coupling device is provided to releasably secure the resonator to the tenon.

Abstract: A wind instrument is provided having a basic body in which extends a central duct which is bounded by a peripheral wall of the basic body, a plurality of openings in the peripheral wall which connect the duct with the surrounding air, a plurality of valves mounted on the basic body and each having a closure member co-acting with an opening and having a control assembly connected to the valves. The control assembly guides the closure member for movement between a closed position in which the opening is closed by the closure assembly and an open position in which the opening is left clear. The closure assembly has a plate of stiff material which is provided on the side facing toward the opening with sealing material and which in the closed position engages sealingly around the opening. The closure member is connected to the control assembly by a yieldable member.

Abstract: An improved plate assembly of woodwinds comprising a body being longitudinally provided with a plurality of tone holes is provided. Each of the tone holes is provided with a pair of posts at both sides. A copper shaft is pivotally mounted within the posts. A plate which may cover the tone hole is pivotally mounted onto the copper shaft. The lower portion of one of the posts is disposed with a resilient pin. The copper shaft is disposed with a projected pin shaft and a depressing key rod. The resilient pin is disposed such that the projected pin shaft is biased. When the depressing key rod is depressed, the copper shaft is rotated and the tone hole can be opened or closed by the plate to generate a special tone. The upper portion of the post is provided with a ball socket and both ends of the copper shaft are provided with a mounting hole respectively. One of the mounting hole of the pipe is provided with a groove.

Abstract: A bassoon equipped with a key mechanism is constructed by a tube which consists of a tenor joint, a double joint, a long joint and a bell joint. Herein, three sound holes corresponding to sounds of E, B.music-flat. and F.music-sharp. are located in the double joint. Three keys corresponding to E, B.music-flat., F.music-sharp. are provided to open or close the three sound holes respectively and are all manipulated by the fingering using only a thumb of a right hand of a performer. Herein, an E key which is the center of the three keys is specialized in construction. That is, the E key which is located to cover the E sound hole is constructed by a pad cup and a key body whose size is reduced as compared with the conventional one. Two recesses are formed at both sides of the key body respectively. In addition, two rollers are held by the two recesses above the pad cup.

Abstract: The musical wind instrument comprises a keying stop (7) engaging by means of a base in a hole in the body (2).The base has a non-circular cross section and the hole is defined by an associated non-circular wall.

Abstract: A wind instrument is described which includes an elongated tubular body and a helical member in the tubular body extending longitudinally therein for inducing a helical airflow in the tubular body from air blown into the mouthpiece. A helical member is also described for insertion within a wind instrument to induce helical airflow through at least part of the instrument.

Abstract: An acoustical ring and bell sound system 10 for use with a variety 101, 102, 103 of musical wind instruments 100; wherein, the sound system comprises an acoustical ring element 21 and an acoustical bell element 31 dimensioned to releasably engage the proximal 104 and distal 105 ends of the musical instrument 100 for producing air turbulence control in the interior of the instrument 100.

Abstract: An improved design for the thumb key assembly for flutes and piccolos. This design allows for longer tubing to be used in the assembly without requiring a larger space, resulting in a mechanism that is less prone to wear. The design also locates the thumb key and thumb lever further away from the "A" kicker tail, allowing for a more stable, standard sized kicker to be used. Additionally, the design also reduces the likelihood that a player will inadvertently depress the thumb lever when intending only to depress the thumb key. Finally, this design also provides a common configuration which can be adapted to both flutes and piccolos with the only change necessary being one of size.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a material for making a wind musical instrument and for making the instrument includes the steps of providing a wood powder, incorporating into the powder fibers chosen to adjust the modulus of elasticity of the mixture to the desired value for the instrument, placing the mixture into a heated mold to melt the natural resins in the wood while maintaining the mixture under pressure between 50.times.10.sup.5 Pa and 700.times.10.sup.5 Pa, and cooling the mixture under the pressure.

Abstract: A Briccialdi B flat thumb key mechanism for a woodwind instrument having a B key including a cup part and a lever part and movable around an axle, and a lever rockingly movable around the same axle for transferring a rocking motion to the B key for closing same and to a B flat key also for closing same, with the axle defining an angle of 20.degree.-75.degree. relative to a longitudinal axis of the instrument.

Abstract: A plurality of tubular members are incorporated in a wind instrument for forming an air passage, and each of the tubular members has a tubular portion and a guide portion larger in diameter than the tubular portion and rounding therefrom for forming a hollow space open to the inner space of the tubular portion, thereby preventing the external appearance of the wind instrument from residual electrolyte confined during a plating bath.

Abstract: The bore of a recorder opens at a location slightly short of the lowermost end portions of a bell section at the end of the foot joint of the recorder. A concave dent is formed that gradually expands outwardly from the end of a bore opening toward an outer periphery of the bell portion. The concave dent formed at the lower end of the bell portion enables a smooth flow of the air discharged from the end of the bore opening. This bell structure also helps the air which is sucked back into the bore as the reaction to the air being discharged, to be smoothly returned toward the end of the bore opening. As a result, even beginners and small children can easily create the bass tones which otherwise would require complicated manipulations.

Abstract: Modifications are made to the bore and to one tone hole of the instrument marketed as the Flutophone.sup.R. These modifications greatly improve the intonation and extend the range of that instrument by enabling the production of a series of harmonic intervals which are not parallel to the ascending pitches of the fundamental scale.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for the key shaft of a musical instrument which has a finger pad and a key attached to the shaft for operating a valve on the instrument when the finger pad is moved is herein disclosed. The mounting arrangement includes a bearing at each end of the shaft, a blind hole in each end of the shaft, an elongated tapered pin in each blind hole, a spring in each blind hole urging the respective pin outwardly, and a tapered bore in each bearing receiving the respective pin. Also, each bearing has an extension to the bore, forming a lubrication passage.

Abstract: In a woodwind instrument, the improvement comprising a speaker vent extending from inside to outside of the instrument, said speaker vent being characterized by an internal volume in the range of 200 mm.sup.3 to 285 mm.sup.3.

Abstract: This device provides simplified, effective and inexpensive constructions for transferring energy stored in torque springs (30) to the function of keys, valves, rings and levers of musical instruments. It is a rigid tube indented with a longitudinal groove (12) designed to serve as an axle supporting key mechanisms between permanent posts anchored to the body of a musical instrument. After groove tube (10) is passed through forward post (18a), it is introduced into key tubing (14), groove (12) tracks over bump or protuberance (28) in key tubing (14) and groove tube (10) proceeds into back permanent post (18b) where it rests. Groove tube (10) is now journalled fore and aft in permanent posts (18a) and (18b). In like process, groove tube (10) fills the hollow of key rod (16) and is journalled in forward post (18a). The solid end of key rod (16) is pivoted at rear post (18b). This system permits lengthwise movement, but prevents rotation of groove tube (10) within key tubing (14) or key rod (16).

Abstract: A musical wind instrument has a hollow, generally tubular body made up of a first body section and a second body section which may be telescopically interfitted to define the assembled wind instrument. Alignment and locating structures are located respectively on the first and second body sections for defining a predetermined orientation therebetween when interfitted into assembled condition. The alignment and locating structures include an axially projecting button-like member mounted on a peripheral surface of one of the body sections, and an axially inwardly extending recess in the other of the body sections of complementary form for receiving at least a portion of the projecting member when the first and second body sections are telescopically interfitted and brought into a desired radial alignment and fully axially and telescopically engaged.

Abstract: A trill mechanism for a wind instrument such as a flute or a piccolo which assures production of clear sounds of a stabilized tune with a clear fundamental tone with minimized noises upon trill playing and production of a D' (D"#) tone with a sound volume substantially equal to that of the other tones (about three times that of the D' (D"#) tone with a conventional trill mechanism). The trill mechanism comprises a middle joint in the form of a hollow tube having a single trill tone hole bored at a particular location thereof, a trill cup mounted on the middle joint for movement from and to a closing position in which the trill cup closes the trill tone hole of the middle joint, and a spring for urging the trill cup to the closing position. The trill cup can be manually moved alternatively to a first and second open position in which the trill tone hole of the middle joint is open with a first opening or with a second opening which is greater than the first opening.

Abstract: A system for the detachable fluidtight assembly of two interengaging elements of the acoustic tube of a wind instrument. The system comprises two half-collars which at one end are connected together in the assembled position by a connection means, while at their other end they are detachably connected together by at least one screw or the like, said half-collars gripping around the interengaged parts of said acoustic tube elements with the interposition of at least one seal between said half-collars and at least one of said elements.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a wind instrument which, for varying the pitch, is provided with keys (6), which in turn are provided with compliant seal inlays (7), and wind instrument constructed in this manner, e.g., transverse flute, saxophone, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, piccolo. The seal inlays of the keys of the wind instrument, which are applied against the rim (5) of the holes (3) determining the pitch, are fitted to the rim of the holes to be closed by means of a nonrigid elastic plastic which is solidified in situ. During the molding, the keys are braced in the position corresponding to their closed position in the finished instrument by a brace which is removed after the molding or by a flexible covering which remains after the molding on the nonrigid elastic solidified plastic.

Abstract: A woodwind instrument with a Bohm-system has rotating fixed keys movable in a rocking motion on the instrument body. A fixed nonrotating main axle is mounted on the instrument body. The keys are rotatably amounted upon the fixed nonrotating main axle. First and second coupling rods parallel to the main axle interconnect some of the keys for transferring rocking movement from one key to another. Tubular charniers rotatably mount the keys upon the main axle. A number of like loop clutches fitted to the tubular charniers transfer rocking motion to the keys mounted on the main axle from other keys mounted on the instrument body.

Abstract: In construction of a key mechanism for a clarinet having G# and A key units, release of a G# sound hole is mechanically inhibited by a control unit when a G# key is unexpectedly operated during regular operation on an A key for constant generation of a crisp A sound without any change in traditional finger motion.

Abstract: A split-E mechanism is provided for use on a flute having a right-hand steel, a left-hand steel, a first hinge rotatably mounted on the right-hand steel, a first key coupled to the first hinge, a second hinge rotatably mounted on the left-hand steel, and a second key. The split-E mechanism includes an actuator for actuating the second key in response to rotation of the second hand relative to the left-hand steel. The mechanism also includes a bridge device for interconnecting the first and second hinges for rotating the second hinge in response to actuation of the first key to operate the actuator.

Abstract: At assembly of a woodwind such as a clarinet, an annular projection on a joint ring of the first joint abuts against the second ring key on the second joint which is thereupon pushed off the path of movement of the first ring key on the first joint, whereby crash of the ring keys is successfully obviated even at careless assembly.

Abstract: For each register of the instrument, the device comprises at least one auiary tube branched in the vicinity of the head of the instrument and a manual control mechanism making it possible to open or close the auxiliary tube at its first end in contact with the instrument or at its second end turned towards the outside.This device more particularly applies to flute mouthpiece instruments or reed instruments, such as clarinets, saxophones, oboes and bassoons.

Abstract: In a woodwind instrument of the type which opens a tone hole by means of the combination of a key and an arm having a tone hole cover at one end both supported by a pair of posts via a hinge rod, a woodwind instrument comprises a pair of bases respectively projecting from the outer periphery of an instrument body and adapted to support a pair of posts. Each of said bases is formed with a hole of sufficient depth so that proper securement of the posts to the instrument body may be obtained upon fitting the lower portion of each of the posts to the corresponding respective hole therein.

Abstract: Wind instrument of the type with mouthpiece, single reed, double reed, lip, etc. . . , comprising a device for laterally perturbing the column of air, adapted to modify the volume of a given section of the column of air, and constituted by a piston slidable inside a body disposed laterally with respect to the column of air and issuing therein, the end of the piston which faces the column of air being displaceable due to a threaded assembly inside the body and being able to project out of said body by encroaching on the said column of air.

Abstract: A wind instrument having a mouthpiece connected to the inner end of a tube forming an elongated resonating chamber, the tube being provided with a slot along virtually its entire length, and an elongated flexible strip closure member having its inner end fixed to the tube adjacent to the mouthpiece and the strip overlying the slot, the outer end of the strip being fixed to the tube structure adjacent to its outer end. Resilient sealing means are provided between the lower face of the strip and the slot walls whereby the closure strip closes the chamber from the mouthpiece end to a selected point where the user digitally depresses the strip into sealing relation with the slot walls, thus creating a resonating chamber of selected length, as determined by the position of the user's finger.

Abstract: The flute invention relates to fingering mechanisms. More readily attained and maintained technical competence in playing the flute is enabled by facilitator mechanism (13) for improved actuation of the B flat key. Facilitator mechanism (14) includes a rocker bar (54) coupling the Briccialdi B flat lever to the rod assembly sections carrying the B flat key and the G key. Coupling between the G sharp lever and the B flat key is maintained by cam (67, 81) and plate (68, 82).

Abstract: A split E mechanism for flutes having a split G key mechanism is achieved by attaching of a short arm to the F-sharp key in a manner so as to partially overlie an adjacent G-A combination key of the split G key mechanism. According to a preferred embodiment, the arm is soldered to the side of the free end of the F-sharp key at a position such that the adjacent G-A combination key will be closed when the F-sharp key is closed without the G-A combination key interfering with closing of the F-sharp key.

Abstract: An improved thumb rest and thumb rest mounting bracket for woodwind musical instruments such as clarinets, oboes, and saxophones, wherein the weight of the instrument is distributed evenly over a large portion of the player's thumb, and the thumb may be positioned so that the fingers are properly placed for opening and closing the tone holes and operating the keys of the instrument. The thumb rest is shaped concavely to conform to the lateral curvature of the player's thumb to provide support and a positive positioning of the thumb when placed in contact with the thumb rest. The thumb rest is attached to the instrument body with a thumb rest attachment bracket that is adjustable, providing adjustment of the position of the thumb rest rotationally about an axis parallel to that of the clarinet, radially outward from this axis of the clarinet, and axially parallel to the axis of the clarinet.

Abstract: A wind instrument key in which the arm and foot portions are stabilized. The post supporting the hinge rod is also stabilized and the hinge rod is prevented from lateral movement in the post hole. A novel pad construction prevents air leaks due to shrinking of the pad cover. A means for resiliently contacting a tone hole cover prevents air leaks in combination type keys. A means for modulating energy radiated from the tone hole is included in the key structure. A spring containing means allows adjustable and removable mounting of springs on the key. A cluster of finger contact points includes a rigid plate containing the contact points with each contact point operatively associated with one or more tone hole covers.

Abstract: A wind instrument having a mouthpiece connected to the inner end of a tube forming an elongated resonating chamber, the tube being provided with a slot along virtually its entire length, and an elongated flexible strip closure member having its inner end fixed to the tube adjacent to the mouthpiece and the strip overlying the slot, the outer end of the strip being fixed to the tube structure adjacent to its outer end. Resilient sealing means are provided between the lower face of the strip and the slot walls whereby the closure strip closes the chamber from the mouthpiece end to a selected point where the user digitally depresses the strip into sealing relation with the slot walls, thus creating a resonating chamber of selected length, as determined by the positions of the user's finger.

Abstract: A novel synthetic resin made wind instrument having high rigidity in spite of its thin-walled body portion and capable of producing sympathetic sounds with excellent timbre is provided according to this invention. The wind instrument provided according to the first embodiment of this invention comprises an inner pipe with a small wall thickness, an outer pipe also small in wall thickness, and a plurality of ribs provided in the hollow portion formed between said inner and outer pipes. The outer pipe is press-fitted over the inner pipe so that said both pipes are securely joined to each other. According to the second embodiment of this invention, there is provided a wind instrument composed of an inner pipe, an outer pipe and a plurality of ribs formed therebetween, wherein a rigidity reinforcement layer formed by metal plating or other means is provided in the surface areas defined by the external surface of the inner pipe and the side faces of the ribs.

Abstract: A key mechanism for musical wind instruments such as a saxophone is comprised of a plurality of, generally four sets of, collectively arranged flat finger pieces at least one of which is provided with a sinking incline in a rim portion adjacent to neighboring finger piece or pieces in order to enable smooth shifting of the little finger point on the key mechanism. More preferable, at least one of the finger pieces is provided with a rising incline in a rim portion remote from neighboring finger piece or pieces in order to block excessive finger point shifting.