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 universal split ring ligature that is versatile enough to fit differing sized mouthpieces. The ligature of the invention accomplishes this by comprising two elongated inverted U-shaped ring retaining bars that have at least one but preferably two or more apertures disposed therein through the vertical side faces of the U-shape ring retaining bars. Multiple sized metallic (or non-metallic equivalent such as plastic, nylon, etc.) rings or bands having concentric apertures disposed in their opposite ends may be inserted within the U-shaped retaining bars and whereby these opposite ends of the multiple sized rings or bands are drawn together by use of suitable thumbscrews penetrating through said cooperating band and U-shaped ring retaining bars' apertures, so as to unyieldingly embrace and clamp a reed that may be disposed between the ring or band and the mouth piece of the wind instrument.

Abstract: A ligature (3) of flexible material and an interchangeable locking element (10) configured to releasably retain a reed (2) onto the mouthpiece (1) of a wind instrument. The ligature (3) includes two parts (5a, 5b) in spaced relation with their respective edges opposite and more or less parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece. The circumference (and the radial clamping force) of the ligature may be varied by manipulating a transversely oriented clamping screw (9) which engages cylindrical elements (6a, 6b) which are rotatingly retained within the parts (5a, 5b). As the ligature is tightened, the radial force acts upon the interchangeable locking element (10) to tightly clamp a reed (2) between the mouthpiece (1) and the locking element (10). The interchangeable locking element (10) is provided with an outwardly extending protruding part (11) with a constricted slit (12) which is configured to releasably engage a central part (9c) on the clamping screw (9).

Abstract: A lip guard is provided for protecting the lips of brass and woodwind players who wear braces. Each lip guard comprises a strip of thermoplastic material that is heated, molded into place over the teeth and braces of the musician, and then allowed to cool. The lip guards thus provide a smooth, protective barrier between the musician's lips and braces that protects the lips against chaffing that might occur as the mouthpiece of a musical instrument presses back against the musician's lips. The lip guards can be removed from the teeth quickly and easily between performances and can be reused from performance to performance. If adjustments are made to the musician's braces, the lip guards can be easily and conveniently reheated and remolded to accomodate the new shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ligature used on a clarinet or a saxophone. The ligature, which is used to hold a reed to the instrument's mouthpiece, contains a plastic insert or ramp, which is riveted to the ligature by means of plastic rivets. By varying the size of the ramp different types of woodwind reeds can be accommodated. By varying the materials of the ligature, the sound emanating from the instrument can be modified in a pleasing manner.

Abstract: A ligature for use on a mouthpiece of a woodwind musical instrument. The ligature has a flexible or semi-flexible body and can be fastened to encircle the mouthpiece and reed assembly. A cradle is connected to the inside of the body and an insert is removably received in the cradle. A plurality of inserts are provided for selection of a needed insert. Flaps are positioned over or under the cradle as needed to produce desired tonal effects.

Abstract: A ligature for the mouthpiece of a reed wind instrument. The ligature is a flexible, pliable, and adjustable clamp collar which, when fitted to a mouthpiece, complements the shape of a mouthpiece and associated reed. The clamp has two circumferential bands held in spaced relation by a plurality of ties, with the bands intended to be arranged along two planes, more or less perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece. The ligature has at least one, and preferably two, bars interposed between two of the longitudinal ties and arranged so that when the ligature is in use, the bars rest against a reed along their longitudinal extent.

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 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 clarinet ligature and grasping ring device (10) for use with a mouthpiece/reed assembly (100) wherein the device (10) includes a ligature unit (11) having a reed clamp member (20) and an elongated spring member (40) operatively connected to a mouthpiece member (101) having a reed member (103); and, a grasping ring unit (50) operatively connected to the mouthpiece member (101) and having a pair of apertured post members (71) which operatively engage spaced portions of the elongated spring member (40) for operatively and moveably connecting the ligature unit (11) to the grasping ring unit (12).

Abstract: A ligature for affixing a reed to the mouthpiece of a woodwind instrument, primarily saxophones and clarinets. A spiral of non-stretching cord, with a mechanism for defining the spiral's shape and for providing a way of tightening it, extends around the reed and the mouthpiece. The mechanism is suspended and tightened by a vertical bridge and an integral puller assembly. The spiral cord passes through holes in the puller. The puller is raised by way of a tightening nut through a non-resonant bridge all of which tightens the spiral cord to firmly hold the reed to the mouthpiece. The bridge bears down against the mouthpiece which applies force to the bridge's contact points. The tension of each wrap of the spiral is equalized by the forces upon the bridge and the puller's design. The spiral cord is damped from extraneous vibration by use of spacing combs and by way of this self equalizing design.

Abstract: A flexible ligature made from an elastically deformable material, suitable for equipping the mouthpiece of a wind instrument is disclosed. The ligature has a profile complementary to the mouthpiece, so as to encircle the mouthpiece and reed. The ligature includes at least two threaded bores with opposite hand threads within two cylindrical elements in order to fasten two opposite parts of the ligature together. The two cylindrical elements are arranged within two sleeves and arranged to freely pivot about their axes.

Abstract: A clarinet ligature and grasping ring device (10) for use with a mouthpiece/reed assembly (100) wherein the device (10) includes a ligature unit (11) having a reed clamp member (20) and a pair of spring support members (30) operatively joined together in a surrounding relationship with the mouthpiece member (101) of the assembly (100) by an elongated spring member (40); and, a grasping ring unit (12) fixedly secured to the mouthpiece member (101) so that the mouthpiece member (101) may be removed from the clarinet barrel member (106) without disturbing the engagement between the ligature unit (11) with the mouthpiece (101).

Abstract: A mouthpiece cover holder to retain the mouthpiece of a musical instrument when the instrument is in use is comprised of a pair of retainers. The first retainer has a magnet surface on one side and an adhesive surface on the opposite side to attach the first retainer to the mouthpiece cover. The second retainer has an adhesive surface on one side to attach the second retainer to the musical instrument and a magnetically attractive surface on the opposite side to provide a surface to attract and retain the magnetic surface of the first retainer that has been attached to the mouthpiece.

Abstract: A reed instrument mouthpiece with an adhesive backed tab to be placed on the upper surface of the mouthpiece. The elongated tab has an indented line, groove or slot on the breadth of its surface. The line, groove or slot provides the player with the proper distance to place the mouthpiece in his or her mouth by placing the teeth on the indented line, groove or slot. The lines, grooves or slots may be placed at different intervals and the tab would be fitted flush with the blowing end or tip of the mouthpiece. An indented line or groove may also be placed on the mouthpiece proper. A raised line or ridge may also be used on a tab or mouthpiece. As mouthpieces vary in size the tab may have to be trimmed which is easily done. The tab would cover the upper surface of the mouthpiece and taper slightly outward from the tip.

Abstract: The top surface of the mouthpiece, the lay, is tapered by creation of a ramped base which increases the angularity of the lay to enhance the anchor position of the reed on the lay. Also formed within the lay is a concavity, located at the approximate center between the highest point of the ramp and the tangent leading to the tip opening. The combination of the ramp and the concavity allows the spacing between the reed and the tip, the tip opening, to be varied. The ligature, which has two screws, uses the rearmost screw for clamping the reed onto the lay near the higher end of the ramp, and the frontmost screw to adjust the gap between the approximate center of the reed and the lay. The increased pressure on the center of the reed causes the tip opening to increase. This increases the resistance of the reed, providing an increased range and changing the vibratory nature of the reed.

Abstract: A clarinet ligature and grasping ring device (10) for use with a mouthpiece/reed assembly (100) wherein the device (110) includes a ligature unit (11) having a reed clamp member (20) and a pair of spring support members (30) operatively joined together in a surrounding relationship with the mouthpiece member (101) of the assembly (100) by an elongated spring member (40); and, a grasping ring unit (12) fixedly secured to the mouthpiece member (101) may be removed from the clarinet barrel member (106) without disturbing the engagement between the ligature unit (11) with the mouthpiece (101).

Abstract: A ligature for a mouthpiece of a wind instrument includes a body of an elastically deformable material which is complimentary in shape to a form of the mouthpiece so as to encircle the mouthpiece and a reed disposed between the mouthpiece and the ligature. The body has two opposing portions and the ligature further includes a manually operated fastening arrangement for connecting the two opposing portions to each other and for moving the two opposing portions substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece to tighten and loosen the ligature about the mouthpiece.

Abstract: A wire clamping ligature for use with single reed musical instruments such as clarinets and saxophones which includes two retaining wires extending circumferentially around the mouthpiece and reed of the instrument to affix the reed to the mouthpiece and yet allow normal musical vibration thereof wherein the retaining wires are approximately thirty thousandths of an inch (0.030 inches) and including two drawbars each attached to the opposite ends of the two retaining wires with an adjustable clamp secured therebetween. The adjustable clamp can comprise one or two threaded screws rotatably mounted in one drawbar and threadedly engaged with respect to the other drawbar to urge the drawbars together for tightening of the two retaining wires about the reed and mouthpiece for detachably affixing them together.

Abstract: A woodwind mouthpiece is disclosed that has a straight-through air passageway that produces richer and brighter tones while minimizing restrictive flow, turbulence and back pressure in the mouthpiece. The arrangement of the walls in selected planes, the position of the top wall with respect to the reed-supporting surface and the lay angle of the reed-supporting surface allow the instrument associated with the mouthpiece to be played in a variety of positions. Different lay angles can be designed into the mouthpiece. Other features are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mouthpiece for a clarinet and saxophone to be used with a reed. The mouthpiece has a tip and a face having two spaced sides extending towards each other from the tip. The face has an opening adjacent to the tip between the sides and a longitudinal bore communicating with the opening. The face is arcuately curved downwardly toward the tip thereby forming a face gap distance between the face and the reed. A wing member extends from each of the sides away from the opening so that the mouthpiece flares outwardly at the face to direct air into the opening. The wing members extend substantially to the tip of the mouthpiece. In addition, a spiral profile may be formed on a cylindrical surface defining the longitudinal bore. The wing members fill triangular spaced gaps between the lips to direct air into the mouthpiece opening. The mouthpiece improves the tonal qualities of the instrument and requires less effort than with conventional mouthpieces.

Abstract: An improved mouthpiece for use with single reed woodwinds to enable the generation of improved sound quality from the standpoint of enhanced harmonic tone generation. The configuration of the mouthpiece in the area overlying the opening which underlies the vibrating end of the reed is significantly modified relative to prior art construction to enable the reed to vibrate a column of inducted air as the same passes through a relatively narrow channel, following which the column enters a channel of substantially greater cross-section before exiting to the neck of the instrument. As contrasted with the prior art construction in which the area immediately above the vibrating portion of the reed defines an air column of greater cross-section, the constricting of the column at the point in which vibration is imparted generates additional harmonics which significantly affect the quality of the tone.

Abstract: A split ring pliant ligature for the mouthpiece of a reed instrument displays a pair of longitudinally spaced straps including lateral arms attached to a medial bottom span. A thumbscrew mechanism attached to the joined ends of the arms draws the straps compressively about the mouthpiece and a reed shank. Transversly spaced members bridge the bottom spans and carry pads which project radially inwardly therefrom to contact the mouthpiece on both sides of the reed's shank. The pliant bottom spans provide the sole compressive contact between the ligature and the reed shank. The configuration of the ligature and its resilience causes the tensile force generated by the thumbscrew to be distributed generally evenly between the two bottom spans bearing upon the reed shank.

Abstract: A device for fastening a reed on a mouthpiece of a wind instrument includes two rod members extending essentially parallel to one another, each of the rod members being provided with a plurality of annular grooves. An elongate flexible traction member or string has opposite ends fastened to respective ones of the rod members and is wound partially about the rod members so as to be partially disposed between each of the rod members and the wind instrument mouthpiece. The string is wound in alternation about the rod members so as to define arcs of partial turns having alternating directions. Screws or other adjustment components are connected to the rod members for adjusting a distance between the rod members to thereby vary a winding tension of the string, which is wound about the rod members in the grooves to obviate an exertion of pressure on the string by the rod members, whereby sliding of the string relative to the rod members during adjustment of the distance between the rod members is facilitated.

Abstract: In a mouthpiece of flute, a projective tongue piece is formed in a position where the inner surface of a hole on the side on which a lip is to be put meets the inner surface of a head pipe so as to form a bulgy rounded concaved surface which is made to bulge outwardly of the head pipe, so that the interior space of the pipe is divided by the projective tongue piece into two pats including an acoustic space and a fluid space. In order to make is possible to give a clear, vigorous, rich and loud sound easily as well as to give high-pitched tones without difficulty, the inner surface of the head pipe in the vicinity of the hole comprises a rounded raised portion which is so formed as to draw a smooth streamline for serving as the inner surface of the pipe and has a cross-sectional area equal to that of a space defined by the bulgy rounded concaved surface, and air screening dikes which are formed on both sides of the rounded raised portion, respectively.

Abstract: A mouthpiece is disclosed for use with a single-reed woodwind instrument such as a clarinet or saxophone. The mouthpiece has a unique reed holding assembly which includes a slot for constraining lateral movement of a reed and facilitating its longitudinal positioning. The reed is held in place by a holding device that includes at least one resilient band seated in at least one locating groove formed about the circumference and disposed in a central region along the mouthpiece. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece includes a chamber and proximal portion which are constructed of two distinct materials with different acoustical resonance properties, thereby providing improved tonal and acoustic performance. In the embodiment for use with a clarinet, the chamber portion includes clarinet sealing rings for forming a durable and tight seal with the barrel of the clarinet.

Abstract: In a flute mouthpiece the core has an upper section which points towards the interior of the mouthpiece, which is pivotably journalled and which can be adjusted in the vertical direction by an adjustment bar which is led out of the flute mouthpiece. In this flute mouthpiece the size of the core gap can be varied by the adjustable section so that a fine adjustment of the tone of the flute can be effected.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for a clarinet wherein the facing over which the reed is attached and which extends around the opening in the mouthpiece is uniquely curved to vary the gap between the reed and the facing and wherein the bore, which is of a preferred length, is provided with a tapered A-frame bridge adjacent the sound baffle of the mouthpiece.

Abstract: An improvement in single and double reed mouthpieces for musical instruments comprising a pair of rounded or flat elongate protrusions along portions of the lay surfaces of the mouthpiece body on opposite sides of the vibrating portion of the reed, for reducing a player's lip pressure on the vibrating portion of the reed.

Abstract: An improved mouthpiece reed holder system for single-reed woodwind instruments. The mouthpiece window is nearly the full length of the reed such that preferably 65% or more of the area of the underside of the reed is open to the tone chamber. The associated reed holder (commonly termed the ligature) clamps the reed to the mouthpiece along the lateral edges of the reed. The tone chamber of the mouthpiece is preferably the same length as the window, and preferably rectangular or square in cross-section throughout its length. A hollow spoon shaped cavity communicates with the bore and the tone chamber and merges the bore with the tone chamber.

Abstract: A ligature for supporting a reed upon the mouthpiece of a single reed musical wind instrument, and method of fabricating the same. The substrate is stamped and formed into a generally tubular, longitudinally split clamping band that has two diametrically opposed windows cut therein. The end portions of the substrate are brought into abutting relation, and a pair of tubular barrels having an inner bore are braised to the exterior surface of the substrate adjacent the edges of the abutting end portions. The inner bore of each barrel has a threaded end portion. The barrels are each cut through their center portion. Each barrel is adapted to cooperate with a thumb screw to adjustably move the end portions of the substrate relative to each other so the ligature can be tightly secured upon the mouthpiece. A pair of longitudinally spaced clamping surfaces are formed in the end portions of the substrate extending inwardly and radially opposite the barrels.

Abstract: A wind instrument mouthpiece includes a reed (2) which is joined to the barrel (1) by a ligature (5) including a cradle (6), the edges of which are joined by a flexible, tension-resistant rod (7) including a nut for adjusting its length between said edges in order to adapt the ligature (5) to the dimensions of the barrel (1). This mouthpiece is also associated with a mouthpiece cover (14), which includes a slipcase (15) on the inside of which a spring device (16) is disposed, which is intended in the protection position to press the reed (2) of the instrument against the edge of the opening of the chamber (1b).

Abstract: A tone plate and associated clamping device for positioning a reed against the mouthpiece of a single reed instrument. The tone plate has sharp edged triangular rails on its upper surface to contact the reed near its edges and allow the maximum freedom of vibration in the reed.

Abstract: A reed holding device for the mouthpiece of a musical instrument in which a single unitary strip extends around the mouthpiece having an integral separate bottom plate attached thereto with raised shoulders supporting the reed. The edges of the reed rest on the raised shoulders of the bottom plate avoiding direct contact with the single unitary strip.

Abstract: A mouthpiece (1) for a musical wind instrument comprises an inlet (5), an outlet (6), a hollow chamber (7) for collecting liquid from inlet air, and an enclosed windway (2), in which is disposed in the mouthpiece and leads to the outlet (6), wherein the inlet (5) and the windway (2) are interconnected via the hollow chamber (7). In use, the player's breath passes through the hollow chamber (7), allowing liquid to collect in the chamber, and then through the windway (2) out of the mouthpiece. The moisture-reduced air prevents sound disturbance and can be used for a considerable time before cleaning out becomes necessary. Also, the flow can be constricted which reduces the likelihood of overblowing by inexperienced players.

Abstract: A tying device is provided for the mouth-piece of a wind instrument, formed by a strip of leather with a U shaped profile in which the upper end of the two legs cooperate with clamping screws. On the inner face of the bottom of the U is riveted a metal plate coated with a rubber layer grooved in the direction of the fibers of the reed with which it is intended to cooperate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mouthpiece for a clarinet or other wind instrument using a single reed with a tone chamber covered by the reed.In the perception which lies at the foundation of the present invention, no substantial improvement in tone can be achieved by making changes to each individual component part, but the sound of any musical instrument, such as the wind instrument concerned here, is only really improved by working on the basis of an integrated approach. This should be understood as implying that, according to the invention, an essential relationship exists between the vibratory element and the resonance element. It is then also of critical importance that both elements concur in a harmonious way. In the absence of this, an instrument can not have the tone quality which is in principle possible.

Abstract: A tenon gasket for a musical wind instrument comprises a strip of plastic material having an adhesive layer on one side and adhered around the tenon of the instrument in the form of a sleeve with the ends of the strip butted. Preferably, a thinner buildup strip of adhesive is adhered around the tenon first with the plastic material strip being superimposed thereover and adhering both to the adhesive buildup strip and directly to the tenon. The buildup strip shapes the outer surface of the sleeve. Preferably the plastic material is cross-linked polyethylene exhibiting a lubricated surface property. These strips can be sold as a gasket repair kit in a transparent bag with the adhesive surfaces of the strips releasably covered with paper layers.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for a musical wind instrument. The mouthpiece has a casing and a reed attachment assembly mounted in a recess at the top of the casing. The reed attachment assembly has a bridge member pivotably connected to a frame. The foot of the reed is clampable against a plate portion of the pivotable bridge member such that the blade of the reed protrudes from the attachment assembly and extends above the top surface of the casing with the tip of the reed being disposed proximate the leading edge of the casing. An adjustment is provided for adjusting the inclination of the plate of the pivotable bridge member relative to the frame such that the distance between the tip of the reed and the leading edge of the mouthpiece casing can be adjustably varied.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for a musical wind instrument. The mouthpiece has a casing, a reed and a reed attachment assembly mounted in the top of the casing. The reed attachment assembly has a support member pivotably connected to a frame. The foot of the reed is clamped against a plate portion of the pivotable support member such that the blade of the reed protrudes from the attachment assembly and extends above the top surface of the casing with the tip of the reed being disposed proximate the leading edge of the casing. Means are provided for adjusting the inclination of the plate of the pivotable support member relative to the frame wherein the distance between the tip of the reed and the leading edge of the mouthpiece casing can be varied by the adjustment means.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved mouthpiece intended for woodwind instruments such as clarinets and saxophones, of the type generally known, which further includes as an improvement a key-shaped slotted cut-out section formed along the horizontally flattened portion thereof, the key-shaped slotted cut-out section formed by a pair of opposed curvilinear flanges formed along the opposed side edges of the slotted cut-out section, the curvilinear flanges having a sufficient thickness such as to reduce the overall diameter of the wind channel by between 25% and 50% thereof, thereby to create a wind compression chamber adjacent to the tip end of the mouthpiece along the path of the wind channel thereby to function to smooth out the vibrational air pulses as the same travel through the mouthpiece and into the instrument in order to improve the tonal qualities of the instrument throughout the entire tonal range of the instrument.

Abstract: A ligature for single reed wind instruments is configured with independently and adjustably loaded, resiliently urged posts for contacting and retaining the reed against the instrument mouthpiece, thereby providing enhanced vibrational and response characteristics to the mouthpiece assembly.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for longitudinally positioning the reed on the mounting face of a woodwind musical instrument mouthpiece. In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes a micrometer-type screw threadedly engaging a ligature body secured to the mouthpiece which operates a yoke connected to the rear edge of the reed to move the reed tip with respect to the arcuate mouthpiece edge. A pair of longitudinally spaced vertically adjustable rollers bear against the outer surface of the reed to provide transverse pressure for holding the reed in place, while permitting longitudinal movement. The apparatus permits precise positioning of the reed to produce optimum performance with minimum adjustment time. In a second embodiment, the reed is adjustable by means of a lever arm linkage operated by an adjustment screw located on the bottom of the adjustment mechanism. The reed is advanced or retracted by means of a grooved roller which may cooperate with matching grooves on the reed surface.

Abstract: A ligature for retaining a reed on the mouthpiece of a woodwind instrument such as a clarinet or saxophone comprising a pair of rubber O-rings adapted to fit over the reed and mouthpiece applying sufficient compressive force to hold said reed in place. The O-rings are held at a predetermined fixed distance apart by the use of a stiff flat strip of braided nylon looped about each O-ring such as to allow for twisting and untwisting of the O-rings.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for use with single reed woodwind musical instruments, such as saxophones, clarinets, and the like, includes a secondary reed containing a wedge-shaped element built on one end thereof, the secondary reed being contained within the interior of the mouthpiece and interchangeable with other secondary reeds having juxtaposed thereon wedges of various sizes to alter the tone of the instrument. The secondary reed is held in position in the interior of the mouthpiece by a pair of retaining grooves placed in opposite sides of the mouthpiece and which receive opposite side edges of the secondary reed which is positioned into and out of the interior of the mouthpiece by simply sliding the secondary reed within the pair of retaining grooves.