Abstract: In an embodiment a flute head joint includes a beak-shaped mouthpiece and a curved neck, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a curved labium, and wherein a chamber of the mouthpiece has a larger diameter than an inner cavity of the neck.

Abstract: A woodwind musical instrument finger rest and a system including the same are disclosed herein. The woodwind musical instrument finger rest includes an outer body portion, the outer body portion defining an inner recess, the outer body portion being formed from a first material; and an inner sleeve portion disposed in the inner recess of the outer body portion, the inner sleeve portion being formed from a second material that is different from the first material, the inner sleeve portion being configured to be disposed against an outer surface portion of a tubular wall of a woodwind musical instrument. The woodwind musical instrument finger rest is configured to facilitate a holding of the woodwind musical instrument by a user, and the woodwind musical instrument finger rest is configured to dissipate forces transferred between the woodwind musical instrument and a hand of the user.

Abstract: A saxophone has a body tube, a high-F #structure, and a side-Bb structure. The body tube has a high-F #tone hole and a side-Bb hole. The high-F #structure opens or closes the high-F #tone hole. The side-Bb structure has a side-Bb tone-hole cover, a side-Bb driving assembly, an auxiliary key, and a main key. The main key is separated from the auxiliary key. The auxiliary key is disposed above a high F #key of the high-F #structure along a vertical line. The auxiliary key and the main key are separately arranged around a centerline of the body tube. The auxiliary key and the main key correspond in height position. Both of the auxiliary key and the main key are connected to the side-Bb driving assembly and drive the side-Bb tone-hole cover to close or open the side-Bb tone hole.

Abstract: A tone-altering apparatus and method for musical wind instruments wherein the apparatus, used in combination with a musical wind instrument, comprises a chimney member with an upper chimney surface defining an upper enclosed aperture, with a chimney sidewall extending through one of a plurality of tone holes and defining a tone-altering channel, and with a lower chimney surface defining a lower enclosed aperture, the lower enclosed aperture and the upper enclosed aperture separating the tone-altering channel. The method of ergonomic altering the tone within a musical wind instrument comprises the steps of providing a musical wind instrument, providing a simulated tone hole generating a simulated tonal frequency, and affixing the chimney member to the barrel of the musical wind instrument to generate a chimney tonal frequency substantially equal to the simulated tonal frequency and provide a chimney member length less than the simulated tone hole length.

Abstract: A key guard height adjuster for a brass instrument having a threaded rod configured to be received by a threaded bore of a key guard; a stem connecting the threaded rod to a key guard height adjuster head; and the adjuster head having a rounded top and a knurled edge. According to one approach, the adjuster head height can be in the range of about 4 mm to 10 mm. According to one approach, the adjuster head diameter is in the range of about 8 mm to 12 mm. According to one approach, the adjuster head is about 8 mm in width and about 6 mm in height.

Abstract: This invention relates to new designs of tubular body flutes both to facilitate more natural and more consistent placement and orientation of the flute player's hands and to enhance the flexibility of the player's lips so as to more perfectly play the flute by greatly increasing the stability of the flute in the player's hands by firmly connecting the flute to the player's finger (and/or thumb) by provision of a finger connecting part through which the flute player's left index finger is inserted, as like wearing a ring. It firmly fixes the flute to the player's left index finger (and/or thumb) so that the flute is stabilized without pressure on the player's mouth. Thus, it enhances the flexibility of the player's lips to more perfectly form the airstream sounding the flute while also more exactly and repeatedly locating the player's fingers on the flute by preventing inadvertent rotation of the flute.

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

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

Abstract: A wind instrument bell includes a bell body and a ring. The bell body has a cylindrical shape, is configured to be connected to a wind instrument body, and has an outer circumferential surface having a recessed groove extending in a circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface. The ring has a C shape, has a first end and a second end being separated from each other, and is accommodated in the recessed groove in a state of being deformed so that the first and second ends separate from each other.

Abstract: A clarinet mouthpiece and tuning barrel system includes a mouthpiece with a central mouthpiece bore passing through the mouthpiece from a tone chamber to a rear portion of the mouthpiece opposite the tone chamber. The mouthpiece bore has a rectangular cross-sectional geometry extending along an entire length of the mouthpiece bore. This rectangular geometry includes two pairs of opposing parallel sides. Each pair of opposing sides is separated by a unique distance such that a ratio of unique distances for the two pairs of opposing parallel sides is ?. Also included is a tuning barrel attached to the rear portion of the mouthpiece. This barrel has a central barrel bore in communication with the mouthpiece bore that passes completely through the barrel. The barrel bore has an identical rectangular cross-sectional geometry to the mouthpiece bore cross-sectional geometry along an entire length of the barrel bore.

Abstract: A wind instrument is constituted of a mouthpiece and a pipe structure including tapered/straight pipes. The pipe structure is constituted of a blow member and a branch pipe. The branch pipe is branched into a main pipe and an auxiliary pipe, which are straight pipes having openings and connected together in a branch shape. The blow member is connected to a branch point of the branch pipe. The branch pipe simulates resonance characteristic of a tapered pipe having a predetermined length, a predetermined distance between the upper base and the vertex, and a predetermined sectional area of the upper base commensurate with the sectional area of the main pipe.

Abstract: A woodwind instrument such as a clarinet includes a main tube including an upper tube and a lower tube and a correcting tone hole used solely for interval correction is formed in the lower tube. An airflow adjuster is installed in the correcting tone hole. The airflow adjuster is formed in an M shape by bending a film member at three positions. The airflow adjuster can properly arrange a turbulent airflow in the correction tone hole during performance and can reduce undesired sound generated from the correcting tone hole.

Abstract: A musical instrument ligature having at least one compression bed which act as the contact points between the ligature and the reed on the mouthpiece of a wind instrument. Said ligature is significantly juxtaposed to an opposite spar and support elements, positioned so as to optimize the fixation of the reed to the mouthpiece.

Abstract: A rotation device is adapted to be installed between the bell of a musical wind instrument and the body of the musical instrument. One or more rotational devices may be controlled by the musician or someone else while the musician is performing and/or playing the instrument. The rotation device may control the speed of rotation, the direction of rotation, and the amount of travel of rotation. The amount of travel of rotation of the bell may be more than and/or equal to and/or less than a 360 degree rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tuneable clarinet barrel joint (1) for arrangement between the mouthpiece and the upper joint of a (Eb, D, C, A or Bb) clarinet, with a longitudinal axis (L) and a bore (100) which runs in the longitudinal axis (L), whereby the clarinet barrel joint (1) is comprised of an upper part (2) and a lower part (3), which are arranged for connection in the longitudinal axis (L), and provided with a set collar (4) for the connection of the upper part (2) and the lower part (3), by means of which the distance between the upper part (2) and the lower part (3) is adjustable, characterized in that the set collar (4) is connected to both the upper part (2) and the lower part (3) by means of screw threads (6, 7), whereby the said screw threads (6, 7) are pitched with opposing directions of rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for its use are provided that relate to an octave/register key for musical wind instruments that combines (i) a vent formed by alignment of an opening of a core and a sidewall aperture of a sleeve, wherein the core is slidably and coaxially mounted within the sleeve, or a vent formed by alignment of sidewall apertures on an inner chamber slidably mounted within an outer chamber, and (ii) the mechanism to open and close such a vent. The device, upon actuation, vents the wind instrument air column to remove the fundamental pitch frequency, and can be mounted anywhere on the body of a musical wind instrument or onto any existing tone hole key of the instrument.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tuneable clarinet barrel joint (1) for arrangement between the mouthpiece and the upper joint of a (Eb, D, C, A or Bb) clarinet, with a longitudinal axis (L) and a bore (100) which runs in the longitudinal axis (L), whereby the clarinet barrel joint (1) is comprised of an upper part (2) and a lower part (3), which are arranged for connection in the longitudinal axis (L), and provided with a set collar (4) for the connection of the upper part (2) and the lower part (3), by means of which the distance between the upper part (2) and the lower part (3) is adjustable, characterized in that the set collar (4) is connected to both the upper part (2) and the lower part (3) by means of screw threads (6, 7), whereby the said screw threads (6, 7) are pitched with opposing directions of rotation.

Abstract: A clarinet coupling structure comprises at least one first hollow tube and at least one second hollow tube that are fastenable by swiveling. The first hollow tube includes a first coupling portion and a plurality of first bumps located on the surface of the first coupling portion. The first bumps are spaced by a plurality of first gaps formed between them. The second hollow tube includes a second coupling portion and a plurality of second bumps located on the surface of the second coupling portion. The second bumps are spaced by a plurality of second gaps formed between them to receive the first bumps. The second gaps also have a plurality of lateral movement sections to allow the first bumps to slide in and latch inside. Through such a structure, various elements of wind instruments can be assembled and disassembled quickly and damage can also be prevented.

Abstract: A fingering mechanism for a woodwind instrument that comprises a first key that actuates both a first tone hole, corresponding to the first key, and another remote tone hole. By closing the first key corresponding to the first tone hole, the first tone hole is closed only if a second tone hole that is closer to a mouthpiece, with respect to an air column in a tube of the instrument, than the first tone hole is closed as well.

Abstract: An injection molded saxophone. A main frame of the saxophone comprises a number of injection molded parts. The injection molded parts are namely a neck, an upper body, a main body, a left bell and bow and a right bell and bow. The injection molded parts are preferably made from a substantially plastic polymer. The neck comprises an octave vent for allowing moisture removal. At least one of the injection molded parts has a number of holes formed therein. A keyworks assembly is couplable to the main frame. The keyworks assembly comprises a number of tone hole cover structures, a number of keys and a number of rods. Each tone hole cover structure comprises a lid shaped for covering its corresponding hole. Each tone hole cover structure has an end ring with an end hole that is shaped and dimensioned to fit with an external profile of one of the number of rods. Operation of the rod varies at least one hole between the open state and the closed state to thereby vary pitch of generated sound.

Abstract: Mouthpieces for use with single reed musical instruments are disclosed, including a main body with a tip at one end and a shank for attachment to the musical instrument at the other. The end of the main body including the tip has a closed side and a substantially flat side with a window surrounded by a table for placement of a reed thereon. The space between the closed side and the reed includes a tone chamber whose dimensions are defined by the golden ratio.

Abstract: One embodiment of an ocarina has an inner liner that includes a plurality of apertures and an outer shell disposed substantially completely around the inner liner. In one exemplary embodiment of such an ocarina, the plurality of apertures in the inner liner facilitates the airflow communication through the inner liner to produce a tone when the ocarina is played, whereas the outer shell provides a protective or ornamental envelope for the inner liner and includes a plurality of openings that register with the apertures in the inner liner. In another exemplary embodiment, an ocarina has a body having a plurality of apertures disposed therein. The body is formed by an inner liner defined by at least one sound chamber and a first cooperating cover and an outer shell disposed substantially completely around the inner liner.

Abstract: An associated method of construction and fabrication of organ windpipes and wind musical instruments utilizing composite materials. The fiber reinforced composite construction is a combination of fibers and resinous material. The fibrous material, maybe Carbon fibers, and/or Kevlar fibers, and/or Fiberglass fibers, and/or Wood Veneer(s) and/or core material, or any combination thereof, which is oriented and layered to create a laminate. The fibrous material can be pre-impregnated with a resinous material or impregnated with a resinous material. The acoustical resonance properties of the fiber reinforced composite wall material or laminate resonates with the generated pressure wave of the wind musical instrument, thereby providing improved tonal and acoustic performance. The lightweight fiber reinforced composite wind instrument, produces richer and more brilliant tones, as well as multiple harmonics.

Abstract: A wind instrument such as a saxophone, a clarinet or an oboe comprises touchpieces actuating covers via linkages. In this instrument, which can comprise two bodies side by side, shanks of the covers are fixed to the links by a removable fixing so as to allow the covers to be removed and aligned at least angularly with respect to the corresponding links.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an improved piccolo. The present invention incorporates several innovative design features that collectively enhance the sound and notes produced by the piccolo and also eases the playing transition between the piccolo and other instruments such as the flute. The present invention features a piccolo having an enlarged cylindrical-bore main body section and an enlarged conical bore headjoint section, enlarged toneholes for better ventilation and intonation, and an improved thumb key mechanism and other mechanisms for attaining notes of a heretofore unattainable tone quality, as well as a footjoint section which extends the lower range of the piccolo by three notes.

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 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: 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 clarinet barrel consists of two parts (2 and 3) screwed into each other. The inner part (2) carries a ring (8) with an outer thread (9) screwed into a ring-shaped part (14) of the outer part (3) provided with an inner thread (15). The inner part (2) has a cylindrical section (4) in which is arranged a sealing ring (21) that seals section (11) of the outer part (3). The bore M has the same size and no steps in the area of the inner bore of the sections (7), in the area of the ring (8) and in the area of a shoulder (16) adjacent to the ring-shaped part (15). The effective length of the clarinet barrel 91) may be changed and the clarinet may be tuned by rotating the parts (2 and 3) against each other.

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: A Boehm system clarinet having improved A key features. An auxiliary shaft having an auxiliary actuating spatula in rough proximity to the spatula of the B flat key affords operation of the A key with the right index finger without impairing the operation of that key in the normal manner by the left index finger. A temperature compensation mechanism on the auxiliary shaft assures that the auxiliary shaft cannot freeze up in response to temperature changes and impair operation of the A key in the normal Boehm system mode. An adjustable link mechanism disposed between the A and A flat keys makes the operation of those keys smoother and quieter.

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: 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: Improved apparatus for providing a chromatic scale with accurate intonation for valved brass instruments is disclosed. Two embodimeents of the invention that compensate for the deficiencies of the valve systems of the prior art are described for both four and five valve systems. For four valves systems, a master valve is used to lower the pitch of the instrument by two tones, and for five valve systems, a master valve lowers the pitch by two and one-half tones. The invention, therefore, makes possible complete compensation over the range of the instrument and improved tone quality.

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: In construction of a key mechanism for a wood wind having an A key for an A sound hole, a register key for a Bb sound hole and for a lower vent tube, and a G/D key for the lower vent tube, a lock unit is provided to inhibit release of the lower vent tube when the A and register keys are concurrently operated for generation of a crisp Bb sound with reduced growls.

Abstract: An instructional aid support and protective accessory for use with woodwind instruments which includes an elongated body portion which extends in substantially parallel and covering relationship with respect to the tone holes and/or keys of the instrument and to which is mounted a fingering guide having a plurality of spaced channels therein which are used to positively control the horizontal and vertical finger positioning relative to the tone holes and/or keys of the instrument.

Abstract: In the construction of a bass range clarinet having a tubular body with an axial hole for air column vibration and tone holes for sound wave emanation, an additional radial hole is provided in communication with the axial hole to reduce sound wave reflection by an open pad for controlling the condition of each tone hole, thereby assuring generation of a brilliant and clarion tones.

Abstract: In construction of a key mechanism for a bass clarinet, some of the conventional keys on the lower joint are modified in arrangement for smoother and easier finger motion needed for key operation in particular during bass range performance.

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: An improved clarinet tuning barrel (10). The tuning barrel is a thermally-conductive tubular member having a plurality of grooves (36) in the outer wall (24) over most of its length. The grooves preferably extend around the tubular member, are annular, parallel and most preferably closely and substantially equally spaced. The grooves are preferably quite deep. The tuning barrel is preferably a unitary piece of lightweight aluminum alloy.

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: 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: Approximately the top third of the upper body of a clarinet has an enlarged bore, the enlargement being located between two narrower zones of the bore with the result that the duodecimos and the high-register tones are correctly tuned but the construction is relatively simple.

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 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 finger guide for a clarinet has two substantially rectilinear rods that are connected by an offset-rod portion that holds the two rod portions in offset positions. Mounting posts on either end of the rectilinear rods fit in a sleeve extending radially from ring clamps that mount the finger guide on the clarinet. This allows the finger guide to be mounted with one rod portion on one side of a reference plane through the axes of the rest-position tone holes while the other rod portion is positioned on the other side of the reference plane. Tongue portions extend outward at the longitudinal positions of the little-finger keys to provide guidance for the little fingers.

Abstract: A clarinet barrel having fixed internal dimensions is provided with a plurality of throat members having a fixed outer dimension for insertion within the clarinet barrel. The inner dimensions of the individual throats are varied in order to provide varying tonal qualities to the clarinet. The throat member can be fabricated from materials other than wood to provide further tonal qualities.

Abstract: The bore in the upper middle joint of a Boehm type B clarinet has a uniformly cylindrical portion extending from the lower end to a central region, and the bore diameter gradually increases from there to the top end of the upper middle joint by a total of 0.2 to 0.4 mm, the rate of increase being greatest adjacent the central region and decreasing toward the top end.