Abstract: The present invention relates to a head joint for a wind instrument, having a mouthpiece and a reed portion, and a wind instrument comprising same and, more particularly, to a head joint for a wind instrument, having a mouthpiece and a reed portion, and a wind instrument comprising same, the head joint allowing for an extended range of one octave lower, i.e. extended lower notes, than the range of a two-side-open wind instrument by adding the range of a one-side-open wind instrument, which is played through a reed, to the range of a two-side-open wind instrument which only has a mouthpiece. The head joint for a wind instrument, having a mouthpiece and a reed portion, according to the present invention has a tubular shape having one end closed, wherein the mouthpiece and the reed portion are formed, so as to be spaced apart from each other, at a certain distance from the end.

Abstract: A performance support device includes a first surface, a second surface, and a flow path. The first surface is configured to face a blow hole of an air reed instrument. The second surface is configured to be displaced from the blow hole. The flow path penetrates from the first surface to the second surface and that is configured to flow an exhaled breath toward the blow hole. A cross-sectional area of the flow path at the first surface is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow path at a position displaced from the first surface toward the second surface.

Abstract: An instrument mouthpiece having an interior wall that includes a plurality of modifications that disrupts airflow through the mouthpiece in order to produce a pleasing sound when a player is playing an instrument. The modifications may comprise raised ridges disposed on the baffle of the or valleys carved into the baffle. Additionally, the modifications may include specific patterns designed to elicit different, yet still pleasing sounds from the instrument. These patterns may include a first pattern having a first central linear modification flanked by a set of modifications having parabolic elongated modifications wherein each modification has a parabolic focus increasingly more distant from each respective modification in a direction away from the central modification and also flanked by a set of modifications having parabolic elongated modifications fashioned in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A respiratory acoustic device is provided that is easy to operate and transport. The device delivers vibrations artificially to the lungs and airways to fluidize mucus adhering to the airways and promote its discharge. A respiratory acoustic device 1 is provided with a housing 10, and a mouthpiece 20 that is in communication with the housing 10. The housing 10 has a reflecting end 12 for reflecting air that has been blown in from the mouthpiece 20 and an open end 13 through which air that has been blown in from the mouthpiece 20 can escape. If a sudden exhalation such as a cough is blown into the housing 10 through the mouthpiece 20, the device causes the noise due to said exhalation to resonate with the oral and lower airway cavities, and vibrate the user's lungs and airways with the low frequency acoustic shock waves generated therein.

Abstract: A non-acoustic measurement unit is provided to be integrated into an all-optical acoustic antenna, the non-acoustic measurement unit including a portion of an optical fiber, termed non-acoustic, intended to convey non-acoustic measurements, at least one non-acoustic sensor with electrical output able to deliver at least one electrical signal representative of at least one physical quantity, and a passive electro-optical transducer subjected to the electrical signal, the passive electro-optical transducer acting on a mechanical constraint undergone by a first sensitive zone of the optical fiber portion, in such a way that a value of a measurable property of a first optical signal conveyed by the non-acoustic optical fiber is representative of the electrical signal, and at least one photovoltaic cell coupled electrically to the non-acoustic sensor so as to electrically supply the sensor.

Abstract: An ergonomic flute having a head joint that bends slightly downward and away from the user thereby reducing the muscular stress of holding the instrument for long periods of time is disclosed herein.

Abstract: A flute headjoint includes a cylindrical pipe section (2), an embouchure hole (3) bounded by a reinforcing element (4), a crown (6) terminating the pipe section (2) situated to the left of the embouchure hole (3), and a concave tuning plug (8) disposed in the pipe section (2) in a sonic chamber (5) situated under the embouchure hole (3). The cylindrical pipe section (2) is longer compared to conventional configurations, the crown (6) is open, the tuning plug (8, 12, 15, 23) is a cylindrical body with its face situated facing the embouchure hole (3) having a sunken three-dimensional configuration made as a combination of regular or irregular arcuate and flat faces. A balance weight (40) is positioned in the resonator cavity (5a) between the tuning plug (8, 12, 15, 23) and the crown (6).

Abstract: A musical instrument comprising a mouthpiece and an elongated body, the elongated body comprises a plurality of finger contacts. The finger contacts comprise a first set of contacts arranged such that they may be simultaneously contacted by the little, ring, middle and index finger of the right hand and a second set of contacts arranged such that they may be simultaneously contacted by the little, ring, middle and index finger of the left hand. It further comprises a first thumb contact for contact by the right thumb and a second thumb contact for contact by the left thumb.

Abstract: Systems for raising pads on musical instruments to enable drying of pads and increase air flow around the pad and a body of the musical instrument. A vent spanner device, including a positioning feature and a retention feature, is placed between a pad and its corresponding vent to create an air gap. A pad prop is placed against a key mechanism or between the key mechanism and/or the body to raise a pad from sealing its corresponding vent. A linkage feature connects one or more vent spanners, pad props, end pieces, key mechanisms, or the body, and provides storage.

Abstract: A wind instrument cavity resonator and optional flexible flute crown assembly capable of improved sound generation and amplification within a flute or piccolo body is presented. The crown presents a swiveling nut joint, and the resonator has one or more counterweights to assist in the sound and weight balancing of the musical instrument, creating an acoustically pleasing flute or similar sound generation device.

Abstract: A wind instrument includes a body defining a body with a plurality of tone holes. A plurality of keys are attached to the body, each key of the plurality of keys further including a key pad that is configured to selectively seal at least one of the plurality of tone holes to produce notes of different pitch. In one example, the body includes one monolithic piece of a metal extrusion having a “D”-shaped cross-section that provides a substantially flat upper surface and a lower curved surface. In another example, a biasing member includes a pair of magnets associated with each key, each pair of magnets including a first magnet attached the body and second magnet attached to one of the keys. A position of at least one of the first and second magnets is selectively adjustable relative to the other.

Abstract: A piccolo comprising a conical-bore headjoint, and a cylindrical-bore main body having toneholes of particular size disposed at particular intervals along the length of the body.

Abstract: A piccolo having a flute body (25) with tone holes; a head piece (10) having a mouth hole (12) and a head piece body; at least one tube piece formed, respectively, on the flute body (25) and head piece (10). The flute body (25) and the head piece (10) are connectable to one another via said at least one tube piece, wherein said at least one tube piece slidingly engage in one another. The flute body (25) and head piece (10) are displaceable relative to one another based on said slidingly arranged at least one tube piece. An axial pin tube (14) is formed on an end of the head piece (10) to be connected with the flute body (25) and projects from the head piece body. An annular adapter socket (16) is slidingly and interchangeably positioned onto the pin tube (14) and secured to the pin tube (14).

Abstract: A piccolo comprising a conical-bore headjoint, and a cylindrical-bore main body having toneholes of particular size disposed at particular intervals along the length of the body.

Abstract: A wind instrument includes a body defining a body with a plurality of tone holes. A plurality of keys are attached to the body, each key of the plurality of keys further including a key pad that is configured to selectively seal at least one of the plurality of tone holes to produce notes of different pitch. In one example, the body includes one monolithic piece of a metal extrusion having a “D”-shaped cross-section that provides a substantially flat upper surface and a lower curved surface. In another example, a biasing member includes a pair of magnets associated with each key, each pair of magnets including a first magnet attached the body and second magnet attached to one of the keys. A position of at least one of the first and second magnets is selectively adjustable relative to the other.

Abstract: A musical instrument includes a resonating pipe having a first slot defined along a length of a longitudinal axis of the resonating pipe and a sliding rod that slides along a length of the first slot and closes the first slot such that the sliding rod selectively covers and provides an air seal to the first slot, such that a pitch of sound produced varies according to a length of closure of the first slot. A mouthpiece is coupled to the resonating pipe to enable the player to create a resonating column of air in the resonating pipe and control the pitch of the instrument by controlling the coverage of the sliding rod over the first slot. A composite musical instrument may include the wind instrument combined with a stringed instrument.

Abstract: The invention is an automatic embouchure comprising a device body, one or more latches, a primary connection means, one or more secondary connection means, an air flow modulator, a lip plate cover, a lip position panel, a left air channel guide rail and a right air channel guide rail, one or more latch canals, an air flow channel and, optionally a lower lip receptacle.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a muting device for muting the sound of musical instruments such as wind instruments, and more particularly, flutes. The muting device is configured to mute the sound of a wind instrument by restricting the airflow through the blowhole of the wind instrument without changing the pitch of the sound produced by the wind instrument. The muting device may restrict the airflow through the blowhole of the wind instrument by means of a woven or knitted mesh fabric placed over the blowhole of the wind instrument.

Abstract: A flute headjoint includes a chimney, a lip plate and a tube body formed from a refractory metal. The refractory metal can include tantalum, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, alloys of these metals and combinations thereof. The chimney and lip plate are attached to the tube body without the use of solder. In certain embodiments, the chimney and lip plate are attached to the tube body with bands. The use of refractory metals in the construction of the tube body may provide enhanced headjoint performance, and because the lip plate and chimney are not soldered to the tube body the components may be formed using a computer modeling and milling process that provides for accurate and consistent production of headjoint components.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a muting device for muting the sound of musical instruments such as wind instruments, and more particularly, flutes. The muting device is configured to mute the sound of a wind instrument by restricting the airflow through the blowhole of the wind instrument without changing the pitch of the sound produced by the wind instrument. The muting device may restrict the airflow through the blowhole of the wind instrument by means of a woven or knitted mesh fabric placed over the blowhole of the wind instrument.

Abstract: A flute stopper having at least one sealing means able to seal the musical cavity and translation means to adjust the positioning of said seal. Said flute stopper is designed to be capable of interfacing with the original factory screw, nut and crown via nuts and/or fittings, including either compression or NPT fittings. Both or either end of said plug may be tapered to facilitate said interfacing.

Abstract: Crown assemblies are described, having novel extension units, selectable vibrational lengths, stoppers with flexible coupling to the crown and regulated pressure against a headjoint tube, and crowns with radial-arm contact surfaces. The novel extension units are situated between the embouchure and the crown and extend the vibrational length between those points. This extension gives the flute tone greater depth and resonance and gives the player greater control over the vibration of the flute tube. A selectable extension unit features distinct vibrational lengths at indexed points of rotation of the crown, providing a means for rapidly changing the tone and response of the instrument in a fashion heretofore unknown on flutes. Improvements to crown and stopper design allow freer vibration of the headjoint tube between embouchure and crown, further enhancing the benefits of the novel extension unit.

Abstract: A lip plate for a flute, the lip plate including an air guide positionable adjacent an embouchure hole of the flute when the lip plate is attached to the flute wherein the air guide is adapted for directing a stream of air from a user's mouth in a direction relative to the embouchure hole to enable the flute to be played.

Abstract: The disclosed tambin generally features: a hollow tubiform body that is generally conical; a plug for blocking the wide end of the body; an embouchure that is adjacent to the wide end of the body; and six finger holes that are spaced along the body toward its pointed end.

Abstract: A musical instrument includes a resonating pipe having a first slot defined along a length of a longitudinal axis of the resonating pipe and a sliding rod that slides along a length of the first slot and closes the first slot such that the sliding rod selectively covers and provides an air seal to the first slot, such that a pitch of sound produced varies according to a length of closure of the first slot. A mouthpiece is coupled to the resonating pipe to enable the player to create a resonating column of air in the resonating pipe and control the pitch of the instrument by controlling the coverage of the sliding rod over the first slot.

Abstract: A headset has first and second connectors and first and second earphones. A first electrical pathway extends from a first contact point associated with the first connector to a first contact point associated with said second connector, a second electrical pathway extends from a second contact point associated with the first connector to a second contact point associated with the second connector, and a third electrical pathway extends from a third contact point associated with the first connector to a third contact point associated with the second connector. One or both earphones are connected between the first pathway and the third pathway and neither the first earphone nor the second earphone is connected between the first pathway and the second pathway. The first and second earphones may be mounted at fixed angles such that the earphones project rearwardly and outwardly over, in spaced relation to, and approximately parallel to, ears of a user.

Abstract: The invention is an automatic embouchure comprising a device body, one or more latches, a primary connection means, one or more secondary connection means, an air flow modulator, a lip plate cover, a lip position panel, a left air channel guide rail and a right air channel guide rail, one or more latch canals, an air flow channel and, optionally a lower lip receptacle.

Abstract: The disclosed tambin generally features: a hollow tubiform body that is generally conical; a plug for blocking the wide end of the body; an embouchure that is adjacent to the wide end of the body; and six finger holes that are spaced along the body toward its pointed end.

Abstract: A piccolo includes a cylindrical headjoint with an embouchure, a stopper including an adjustable seal disposed in a free end of the cylindrical headjoint, and a conical body having tone holes. The tone holes include a single tone hole corresponding to c2 and an end tone hole at a free end of the conical body. The end tone hole is lower than the note d1 and extends at least to the note c1.

Abstract: A flute has a pipe. The pipe has a linear body tube and a linear mouthpiece tube. The body tube has multiple keys for changing the pitch of the flute. The mouthpiece tube is connected to the body tube and has a mouthpiece plate. A curved tube is mounted on one end of the mouthpiece tube facing the body tube. The curved tube, mouthpiece tube and body tube are aligned with one another.

Abstract: An apparatus is worn on a finger of a user while playing the flute. The apparatus comprises a stabilization pad, an inner support pad, and an outer support pad. The stabilization pad is disposed at a first end of the apparatus and is positionable to abut at least one of the finger and a palm of the user. In contrast, the outer support pad is disposed at a second end of the apparatus and is positionable to project outward from the finger of the user. The inner support pad and the outer support pad are operative to at least partially support the flute.

Abstract: An apparatus is worn on a finger of a user while playing the flute. The apparatus comprises a stabilization pad, an inner support pad, and an outer support pad. The stabilization pad is disposed at a first end of the apparatus and is positionable to abut at least one of the finger and a palm of the user. In contrast, the outer support pad is disposed at a second end of the apparatus and is positionable to project outward from the finger of the user. The inner support pad and the outer support pad are operative to at least partially support the flute.

Abstract: A flute has a pipe. The pipe has a linear body tube and a linear mouthpiece tube. The body tube has multiple keys for changing the pitch of the flute. The mouthpiece tube is connected to the body tube and has a mouthpiece plate. A curved tube is mounted on one end of the mouthpiece tube facing the body tube. The curved tube, mouthpiece tube and body tube are aligned with one another.

Abstract: A piccolo includes a cylindrical headjoint with an embouchure, a stopper including an adjustable seal disposed in a free end of the cylindrical headjoint, and a conical body having tone holes. The tone holes include a single tone hole corresponding to c2 and an end tone hole at a free end of the conical body. The end tone hole is lower than the note d1 and extends at least to the note c1.

Abstract: A flute headjoint includes a chimney, a lip plate and a tube body formed from a refractory metal. The refractory metal can include tantalum, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, alloys of these metals and combinations thereof. The chimney and lip plate are attached to the tube body without the use of solder. In certain embodiments, the chimney and lip plate are attached to the tube body with bands. The use of refractory metals in the construction of the tube body may provide enhanced headjoint performance, and because the lip plate and chimney are not soldered to the tube body the components may be formed using a computer modeling and milling process that provides for accurate and consistent production of headjoint components.

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: A kit or puzzle for making an ocarina is provided having six planar pieces representing the top, bottom, front and two sides of a cuboid-shaped chamber, wherein the side pieces have arms that extend past the front of the chamber to support a planar mouthpiece having a windway directed at a labium positioned in the forward edge of the top piece forming the chamber. Finger holes in the top piece allow different notes to be played in the assembled ocarina.

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: Wind instrument made of flour based foodstuff, such as dried dough for the preparation of pasta, the wind instrument formed as a tubular envelope defining a cavity with two ends, where the first end is open, enabling a user of the wind instrument to blow air into the open end to generate sound while the second end is being sealed, the tubular opening having a labium opening, the second end of the cavity being selectively sealed, such as by a finger of the user, or fixedly sealed, such as during the manufacturing, the tubular envelope having at least one fingerhole that is selectively openable and closeable while the user is blowing air through the open end, enabling adjustment of the tone or tone pitch of the generated sound.

Abstract: Improved methods for tuning ocarinas to extend their capabilities, musical ranges, and ease of use. Ocarinas having enhanced fingering patterns using subholes, split toneholes, additional tonehole(s), and/or an additional thumbhole. Enhancements to cross-fingered ocarinas with one or two chambers and linear-fingered ocarinas with two or more chambers.

Abstract: An improved ocarina for providing improved tonal quality with better maintenance of said tonal quality. Ocarinas are generally oval in shape with finger holes on one side and thumb holes on the other side of the ocarina, with a windway and a sound hole called a “voicing”. A user blows into the voicing, creating a tone which varies depending on whether the fingers and thumbs are over the finger holes or thumb holes. Partitions are placed inside of said ocarina between said thumb hole and said sound hole which are customarily located on the same side of the ocarina. Partitions are located close to the thumb holes and distal from the sound hole. In the improved ocarina, a user may open the thumb hole without significant loss of tonal quality, unlike a standard ocarina where opening of the thumb holes ordinarily results in a decreased tonal quality.

Abstract: In a fipple flute, an instrument body includes an outer surface defining an interior resonating cavity. An airway extends from the outer surface into the resonating cavity and includes an adaptor which joins a brass instrument mouthpiece with a fipple flute. The tone produced from the brass instrument mouthpiece along with the separate tone generated by the fipple whistle allows the player the ability to create new sounds and harmonies.

Abstract: In a fipple flute, an instrument body includes an outer surface defining an interior resonating cavity. An airway extends from the outer surface into the resonating cavity and includes an adaptor which joins a brass instrument mouthpiece with a fipple flute.

Abstract: A wind instrument, includes: a hollow tube having an open lower or distal end; a mouth hole formed in an upper or proximal portion the tube; a first set of holes including three holes formed in the tube for application of an index finger, a middle finger and a ring finger of an upper hand of a user; and a second set of hole including five holes formed in the tube for application of a thumb, an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger and a pinky finger of a lower hand of the user. Another wind instrument, includes: a hollow tube having an open lower or distal end; a mouth hole formed in an upper or proximal portion the tube; a first finger support attached to and extending away from the tube; and a second finger support attached to and extending away from the tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to musical instruments that are based on the operation of an air reed and, in particular, encompasses end-blown flutes comprising an acoustic air space and a fluid air space. The communication between the acoustic and fluid air spaces is positioned so as to minimally interfere with the flow of air introduced, i.e., blown, into the fluid space and enables the instrument to produce rich, in-tune tones across a three octave range. The acoustic air space is formed by a hollow tuning chamber positioned opposite the air reed. In alternate embodiments, the invention encompasses a head-joint of a musical instrument, which head joint comprises a an acoustic space and a fluid space. The head joint of the invention may be used to replace or in place of the head joint or mouthpiece of common musical instruments of the woodwind family, e.g., the Western flute, saxophone, clarinet, oboe, nay, shakuhachi, or recorder.

Abstract: A headjoint stopper is arranged for mounting within the headjoint of a transverse flute of the type that includes an embouchure hole, a crown fitting, and an inside wall having a circumference. The headjoint stopper includes a front shoulder which is located closer to the embouchure-hole and a back shoulder located closer to the crown fitting. The front and back shoulders each contact the entire circumference of the inside wall to provide a seal between the headjoint and the headjoint stopper at the front and back shoulders. A midsection is located between the said front and back shoulders. The midsection does not contact the inside circumference of the headjoint to create a resonance chamber between the headjoint stopper and the inside wall of the headjoint to improve the sonic qualities of the instrument while preserving the sound characteristics of the existing headjoint.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to musical instruments that are based on the operation of an air reed and, in particular, encompasses end-blown flutes comprising an acoustic air space and a fluid air space. The communication between the acoustic and fluid air spaces is positioned so as to minimally interfere with the flow of air introduced, i.e., blown, into the fluid space and enables the instrument to produce rich, in-tune tones across a three octave range. The acoustic air space is formed by a hollow tuning chamber positioned opposite the air reed. In alternate embodiments, the invention encompasses a head-joint of a musical instrument, which head joint comprises a an acoustic space and a fluid space. The head joint of the invention may be used to replace or in place of the head joint or mouthpiece of common musical instruments of the woodwind family, e.g., the Western flute, saxophone, clarinet, oboe, nay, shakuhachi, or recorder.

Abstract: An instrument in which an acoustic or otherwise measurable disturbance or change is made in physical matter is disclosed. In one embodiment an oscillatory vortex shedding phenomenon is formed in water, in association with each of a plurality of finger holes. Water flows past a branch point where it can either flow over a labium, edge or the like in a resonant pipe, or out a finger hole, the finger hole being the path of lesser resistance to the water. Obstruction of the finger hole forces the water past an underwater sound production mechanism. Blocking water from coming out of a given hole produces a given note, which, in some embodiments, is electrically amplified by a hydrophone. In one embodiment there is a further processing of each hydrophone signal. Embodiments with various kinds of acoustic or optical pickups are also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject invention is an improved conical piccolo comprising various new fingering mechanisms and configurations, as well as an additional tone hole opening. The improved conical piccolo allows a user to easily play all six standard trills produced by the cylindrical flute fitted with the c sharp trill key, including the third octave G to A trill. Moreover, the improved conical piccolo simplifies the fingering required by a user to play the third octave G to A trill. Moreover, the subject invention allows the user of piccolo to play two additional trills, namely the first and second octave C to D trills, with improved intonation and response.

Abstract: A fluid user interface is presented for applications such as immersive multimedia. In one embodiment, one or more sprays or jets create an immersive multimedia environment in which a participant can interact within the immersive multimedia environment by blocking, partially blocking, diverting, or otherwise engaging with a fluid, to create computational input. When the fluid is air, a keyboard can be implemented on cushions of air coming out of various nozzles or jets. When the fluid is water, the invention may be used in environments such as showers, baths, hot tubs, waterplay areas, gardens, and the like to create a fun, playful, or wet user-interface. In some embodiments, the spraying is computationally controlled, so that the spray creates a tactile user-interface for the control of such devices as new musical instruments. These may be installed in public fountains to result in a fluid user interface to music by playing in the fountains.