Abstract: An electronic musical instrument comprising a lower frame member having a first end and a second end, and above the handle portion of the first end are a plurality of apertures extending through the lower frame member towards the second end, pins mounted within the plurality of apertures in predetermined locations, jingles loosely mounted to the pins, so that when the instrument is shaken a tambourine sound is emitted, an upper frame member having a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the upper frame member is attached distal to the first end of the lower frame member, at least one strip attached to the lower frame member, and an activation switch attached to the upper frame member, so that when the second end of the upper frame member and the second end of the lower frame member come in contact the strip is activated.

Abstract: A tambourine is provided with a crescent shell including two tubular segment elements at both ends respectively, through holes, and two sets of two spaced grooves each extending from either end of one tubular segment element; two curved mounting members each including two groups of two spaced tubular segment members at both ends respectively, each tubular segment member including two sets of projections on an outer surface; a curved handgrip including two tubular segment unit at both ends respectively, and two collections of two spaced depressions each extending from either end of one tubular segment unit; and jingle discs each pivotably disposed in the through hole. The mounting members are pivotably secured to both ends of the shell and the handgrip is pivotably secured to both ends of the mounting members.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses that allow for a high-hat mounted tambourine musical instrument to be muted are disclosed. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a mutable tambourine jingle assembly that can be permanently engaged with the press of a button or otherwise. As such, the need for a user to physically hold the tambourine or an attached lever (e.g., a foot pedal) to mute the jingle assembly is obviated. In another aspect of the present disclosure, apparatuses are provided that facilitate a user simultaneously muting all of the jingles of a hi-hat mounted tambourine.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses that allow for a high-hat mounted tambourine musical instrument to be muted are disclosed. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a mutable tambourine jingle assembly that can be permanently engaged with the press of a button or otherwise. As such, the need for a user to physically hold the tambourine or an attached lever (e.g., a foot pedal) to mute the jingle assembly is obviated. In another aspect of the present disclosure, apparatuses are provided that facilitate a user simultaneously muting all of the jingles of a hi-hat mounted tambourine.

Abstract: A foot operable percussion instrument producing jingling sounds similar to a tambourine is useable by a solo performer and possesses a wedge-shaped body with an inclined striking surface for the striking by a foot or a portion thereof. The wedge-shaped body is connected to a base plate member by a pair of rigid connectors that together define a fulcrum so that the front portion of the wedge-shaped block pivots downwardly when struck by a foot on the inclined striking surface and rights itself when the foot is lifted. The jingling sound produced is of short duration.

Abstract: Tambourines and methods for playing tambourines are disclosed, which may overcome drawbacks inherent to the designs and playing techniques of conventional tambourines and tambourine-like percussion instruments. A tambourine includes a peripheral frame, a plurality of sound producing elements coupled to the frame, a rigid first rod coupled to the frame and extending substantially diametrically across the frame, and one or more rigid additional rods coupled to the first rod. A method for playing a tambourine having a peripheral frame and a plurality of sound producing elements coupled to the frame includes holding the tambourine by gripping a rigid first rod coupled to the frame and extending substantially diametrically across the frame, and by one or more rigid additional rods coupled to the first rod.

Abstract: A high hat tambourine assembly includes a circular frame and a hub coextensive with the frame axis and has an elongate axial channel dimensioned to receive a rod of a high hat for free relative slidable movements. Quick-release arms are mounted on the hub and normally biased to provide an opening that is smaller than axial channel and having manually engageable gripping members that frictionally engage the rod with a force sufficient to normally secure said hub to the rod. The arms can be manually gripped by the hand of the user and actuated to separate the gripping members to enlarge the normally restricted opening to allow the rod to freely pass. A plurality of jingles are secured to the frame. The high hat tambourine assembly can be quickly and conveniently mounted on or released from the rod with one hand of the user.

Abstract: A high hat tambourine assembly includes a circular frame and a hub coextensive with the frame axis and has an elongate axial channel dimensioned to receive a rod of a high hat for free relative slidable movements. Quick-release arms are mounted on the hub and normally biased to provide an opening that is smaller than axial channel and having manually engageable gripping members that frictionally engage the rod with a force sufficient to normally secure said hub to the rod. The arms can be manually gripped by the hand of the user and actuated to separate the gripping members to enlarge the normally restricted opening to allow the rod to freely pass. A plurality of jingles are secured to the frame. The high hat tambourine assembly can be quickly and conveniently mounted on or released from the rod with one hand of the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the foot operated musical instruments like tambourine, cymbals, jingles and cowbells. These musical instruments can be operated by using one or both feet at the same time. The tambourine playing shoes can be converted to a percussion shoe very easily. The foot operated instruments of the present invention lets musicians to play multiple instruments at the same time, while giving a new found sound to a musician's tapping foot.

Abstract: A foot-operated musical percussion instrument is playable by either the left or right foot. The foot-operated device includes a hook and loop adjustable foot strap, toe-clip and frame to hold any of a wide range of percussive sound sources including tambourine jingles, maraca shakers and sleigh bells. The device is directly attached to the user's foot permitting simple, direct operation.

Abstract: An improved tambourine has a rigid, enclosed, jingle-supporting frame that defines a center of gravity and a number of pairs of percussion jingles connected to the frame at determined locations around one of the frame's segments. A handle for manually grasping the frame is connected to a second segment of the frame. The second segment is closer to the center of gravity of the tambourine than is the first segment, which is arcuate in shape. The second segment includes radial, inwardly turned portions and a handle-bearing portion that is substantially parallel to a chord formed between the ends of the arcuate first segment and spaced a determined distance from the geometric center of the handle.

Abstract: A musical instrument comprising: a main body mounting a plurality of jingles to produce sound when said main body is vibrated as with a conventional tambourine. At least one muting element is associated with at least one of the jingles to selectively restricting movement of the jingles to mute a jingle sound produced by said jingles. In the preferred embodiment, the jingles are comprised of pairs of metallic discs carried by the main body. With the invention, the jingles can be selectively opened, either fully or partially, by the amount of pressure applied by the muting elements thus controlling an amount of jingle sound.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a percussion musical instrument such as a tambourine, riq, pandiero and the like having non-rectangular windows within which the jingles are supported. The configuration of the window affords a greater range of pitch motion for the jingles than otherwise afforded in similar conventional instruments. As such, the pitch motion of the jingles may equal or exceed the range of roll motion of the jingles. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an instrument having an ovoid shaped shell to provide distinct rotational moments of inertia along a major axis and a minor axis.

Abstract: An improved tambourine of the type having a frame being arcuate-shaped and including a center of gravity, a pair of rims, and a grasping portion disposed at or near the center of gravity of the frame so as to allow comfortable holding for long periods of time, and a plurality of jingle members being affixed to the frame. The improvement includes an electronic sound pick-up apparatus. The electronic sound pick-up apparatus is either an amplifier pick-up or a midi pick-up. The amplifier pick-up is disposed in the frame, opposite the grasping portion, and the midi pick-up is disposed on the pair of rims of the frame, to a side of the grasping portion. The improvement further includes soft pad beading covering the pair of rims of the frame.

Abstract: A drumhead for use in a percussion instrument is composed of multiple (e.g., two or three) plies of synthetic resin films, which are laminated together and are brought into close contact with each other when stretched across the opening of a hollow cylinder of a drum, for example. At least one air evacuation hole is formed at the center of the backside synthetic resin film or in proximity to the center of the backside synthetic resin film. Therefore, when the drumhead is stretched outwardly along a diameter direction of the opening of the hollow cylinder of the drum, remaining air between the films can be reliably evacuated from the air evacuation hole towards the exterior of the drumhead. Thus, it is possible to reduce unwanted loss in transmission of vibration between the films of the drumhead when beaten; hence, it is possible to realize good sound quality in the drum.

Abstract: An improved drumshell construction comprising a first layer of sheet material having elastic properties, a second layer of sheet material in mating engagement with the first layer of sheet material, a means to bond the two layers together, wherein the elastic modules of the first layer of material is imparted to the second layer of material to enhance the formation of a drumshell having varying sound absorptive and radiating characteristics to control and enhance the timbre of the drumhead.

Abstract: Known percussion instruments, employing conduits and free-moving rattle members therein, are inefficient for producing louder sounds without increased effort on a user's behalf. The present invention provides a plurality of spaced-apart conduits having first and second opposed open ends. A pair of planar, spaced-apart frame members is provided, with one frame member closing all of the conduit first ends, and the second frame member closing all of the conduit second ends. There is at least one free-moving rattle member inside each conduit. The frame members provide a common striking surface for the free-moving rattle members. The simultaneous striking of a common surface by free-moving rattle members produces an increase in sound volume with less work on the user's behalf.

Abstract: A tambourine includes a frame that has a peripheral wall defining an interior space. The peripheral wall has a first edge and a second edge, each being adapted to be struck by a user. A plurality of apertures extends through the peripheral wall of the frame between an exterior face and an interior face of the peripheral wall. Each of the apertures has at least one sounding disc coupled in the respective aperture for making a sound when the peripheral wall of the frame is struck. The first edge of the peripheral wall of the frame has a plurality of protrusions that upwardly extend from the first edge. The protrusions are adapted for being raked across by the user such that the protrusions are for vibrating the sound disc in each of the apertures whereby the sound disc in each of the apertures produces a distinct sound.

Abstract: A drum head material is prepared by assembling a multi-layer laminate comprising upper and lower sheets of resilient, polymeric film and at least two oriented fiber layers positioned between said sheets. Each of the oriented fiber layers comprises parallel resilient fibers having high modulus of elasticity and a defined direction of orientation. The layers are positioned such that the directions of orientation of the two layers intersect. The layers are pressed to adhere them and form a drumhead membrane. In the preferred form, the films are of polyethylene terephthalate and the fibers are of polyaramid. If two fiber layers are employed, the fibers in the layers preferably intersect at right angles. If three layers of fibers are employed, the fibers preferably intersect at an angle of 60 degrees.

Abstract: There is provided a shaken idiophone having at least two segments that define a sound chamber for holding a sound producing material. The segments are preferably located along the periphery of the shaken idiophone. The segments of the shaken idiophone are held together by at least one fastener having a resilient member. The resilient member urges the segments away from one another so that there is a space between the two segments. The amount of space between the segments can be varied while the shaken idiophone in being playing by squeezing the shaken idiophone. Thus, the shaken idiophone can create a variety of sound qualities.

Abstract: The present invention is a percussion accessory for attachment to a percussion tool, such as a drum stick. The percussion tool has an attachment region, and the percussion accessory is provided for creating musical sounds through the use of percussion tool by a user. The percussion accessory has a attachment means for attaching the percussion accessory to the attachment area of the percussion tool; a support attached to and extending from the attachment means; and, a sound device, such as a jingle, moveably attached to the support, wherein the sound device will move to create the musical sounds when the user uses the percussion tool. The percussion accessory also has a muffle device. The muffle device has a muffle and a lever. A muffling material is attached to the top of the muffle for engaging the sound device. The muffle device is pivotally attached to the support, wherein when the user presses the lever, the muffling material will engage the sound device for muffling the sound device.

Abstract: A new stringed musical instrument having an appearance somewhat similar to a banjo or guitar or related instrument and comprising a head portion and an elongated neck secured to the head portion and extending outwardly therefrom. A plurality of strings, which may vary in number, extend across and in overlying relation to an outer face of the head portion and continuously therefrom along the length of the neck, where they are adjustably attached by individual, rotatably mounted pegs. The head portion preferably comprises a tambourine having an exposed outer face and an inner face and a flexible material membrane stretched in a taut orientation across the exposed outer face and in underlying relation to the plurality of strings. The tambourine head portion also includes a plurality of metal disks or "jingles" movably mounted on the peripheral sidewall thereof.

Abstract: In a tambourine, the combination comprises a frame extending at least in part along an extended path, multiple jingles carried by the frame at selected locations along the path, and auxiliary plates carried at an auxiliary selected location relative to path and characterized as clashing to produce a different sound than the jingles' sounds when the tambourine frame is impacted near the auxiliary plates.

Abstract: A foot operated tambourine playing device for playing the tambourine with a foot. The foot operated tambourine playing device includes a base panel and a foot pedal pivotally coupled to the base panel. The base panel is adapted for having a tambourine coupled to its lower surface.

Abstract: In a percussion instrument, for example in the form of a tambourine, of bongos, congas or the like, with a resonance body open in particular on top, a skin being stretched over the upper opening and comprising a plastic film which is fixed at a constant tension by means of a clamping hoop, the skin being stretched directly over the resonance body, and the resonance body having an annular groove in the vicinity of the upper opening, and the clamping hoop being elastically widened and forced over the upper side of the resonance body into the annular groove, thus stretching the skin, it is provided that at least one nonwoven fabric is disposed in parallel to the at least one plastic film, the nonwoven also being stretched by the clamping hoop and not being joined to the plastic film by gluing.

Abstract: An improved musical instrument having an improved tambourine and a built-in whistle, integrated into one musical instrument. The improved musical instrument includes an additional outside frame to cover and protect the jingles for safety.

Abstract: An improved tambourine with a light control effect is disclosed having on a tambourine collar several luminous bodies (e.g. LED) controlled by a sound control circuit. The sound control circuit board is secured within a handle having upper and lower handle seats attached together and to the tambourine collar. A battery cover and circuit board seat are located within the handle. The tambourine collar has several cable protecting covers on the tambourine collar. A flashing effect is given when the tambourine is struck by the player.

Abstract: A hand-held percussion instrument capable of generating a variety of different sounds upon demand. These sounds including the typical sound of cymbals coming from a tambourine, the sound of a drum which is stretched over an open side of a tambourine, the sound of a maraca which is generated from a multitude of pellets contained within a hollow chamber inside the handle, this sound being adjusted by selectively covering or uncovering openings in the handle, and the sound of a lone cymbal set located at the end of the handle some distance from the tambourine.

Abstract: An improved tambourine which generates additional sounds that supplement the conventional jingle sound using the same playing motion as the conventional tambourine. It is a feature of the invention that the player can adjust the effort required to generate the additional sounds so that the player can turn the additional sounds "on or off" simply by adjusting the playing effort. The invention is applicable to cylindrical as well as non-cylindrical tambourine frames. Implementations are also presented that are applicable to modifying existing tambourine frames to enable them to generate additional sounds to supplement the conventional jingle sound.

Abstract: A convertible drumhead easily mounted and tensioned on a conga shell, adaptable for use with any conventional drum shell and usable independently as a single headed hand held drum that is uniform in construction and comprises a drumming surface, a circumferential side wall integrally formed with and disposed around the periphery of the drumming surface and an annular shoulder, which includes a seat portion along its top surface. The sidewall and the annular shoulder can be fashioned as a one-piece unit or as separate pieces where the shoulder is fixed in abutting relationship against the side wall. The invention is used in combination with a ring or a modified version of a standard rim mounted counter-hoop, which abuts against the side wall and is supported tightly upon the seat of the annular shoulder. The shoulder, when employed as a separate component, securely anchors itself to the side wall and, thus, will integrate with it to ensure the integrity of the drumhead.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hand-held percussion musical instrument in the form of a rigid tubular ring, which includes a plurality of elongate hollow tubes, the tubes having rigid tubular walls and opposite end walls defining closed hollow tube interiors. Steel shot is loosely contained within the hollow interiors of the tubes, whereby the ring may be hand manipulated to cause the shot to impact the walls to create audible percussion sounds.

Abstract: A tambourine includes an annular frame which has a plurality of equidistant rectangular positioning holes formed therethrough, a plurality of flexible positioning plates respectively fitted in the positioning holes, and a plurality of positioning bars respectively extending through a plurality of jingle units. Each of the positioning holes is defined by two shorter hole walls and two longer hole walls which have two stop ribs projecting toward each other therefrom. Each of the positioning plates has two positioning ribs abutting against the corresponding longer hole wall and has two locking ribs abutting against the annular frame so as to retain the positioning plate on the annular frame. Each of the positioning plates has a jingle slot formed therethrough.

Abstract: There is disclosed a racket having a perimeter frame with a tympanum stretched across the frame and formed of a flexible film tautly stretched within the frame, thereby forming a sound-reverberating and resonating ball impact surface, and a handle which extends outwardly from the frame. Preferably the film is transparent and bears graphics or printed matter. The racket is used in a game utilizing a soft plastic foam ball of an elastomer which is struck by the racket using one or more players who participate by striking the ball repeatedly during the game.

Abstract: A tambourine is fabricated from a single piece frame having two hinges which divide the frame into a central section and two end sections. As assembled the frame is bent at the hinges and curved so that the two end sections can be joined by a connecting member. The jingles are preferably mounted by grooves which intersect jingle slots and are arranged on opposite sides of the frame to retain the jingle mounting pin.

Abstract: A tambourine which has a body which is annular in shape, has an uninterrupted outer rim and jingles disposed on posts inwardly of its inner rim. The body has a cross-section which is "C" shaped to form a resonating cavity and a solid portion to form a hand hold. The tambourine when grasped by a performer at the hand hold may be rolled on the outer rim upon a surface with back spin such that the tambourine will return to the performer when it decelerates.

Abstract: A musical instrument such as a jingle, a tambourine or a tomtom is provided with two or more hollow resonators arranged in the vicinity of at least one tone generator such as a pair of jingle discs or a head and preferably selectively closable by means of a slider coupled movably to the body of the instrument. Presence of a plurality of resonators, preferably different in resonance characteristics, assures colorful and rich resonance of tones generated by the tone generator and use of the slider enables easy and free finger control on the mode of resonance.

Abstract: In construction of an idiophone such as a tambourine having paired metallic jingles idly supported by carrier rods in respective windows formed transversely through an elongated shell, each carrier rod is fixed at both ends by inner ridges of the shell and the end of each shell project inwards beyond walls of the shell. Multiple phased collisions between the jingles, between the jingles and the ridges and between the jingles and the walls enable generation of colorful musical tones with rich acoustic variety and tone quality.

Abstract: A bellows type toy tambourine with a bellows containing a space enclosed by two ring members. One of these ring members has a plurality of slots along its circumference. Each of these slots contains two round metal plates for giving metal collision sound by shaking while it is played as a tambourine. One of the ring members has a plurality of flues. Each of these flues is incorporated with a tongue so that different tunes can be given when the bellows is expanded or contracted to permit air to pass through the flues; i.e., when it is used as an accordion. It is a novel structure of toy instrument and a combination of toy drum, tambourine and accordion.

Abstract: A percussion musical instrument produces a "crashing" sound using a series of stacked metal strips or leaves of a specific configuration. The leaves are relatively thin, upwardly arched or bowed, arranged in alternating criss-cross configuration, and each includes a twist about a generally longitudinal axis. The twist in each leaf is in an opposite direction to the twist in the adjacent leaf or leaves. A base supports the stack of ribbons loosely, so that when the stack is struck downwardly and centrally, a decided sound of relatively long sustain will be produced.

Abstract: A tambourine comprises a shell carrying a plurality of jingle discs, characterized in that the shell further carries a hollow resonator box effecting internal resonant oscillation of the sounds produced by the jingle discs. The hollow resonator box includes an opening which is selectively closable by the user for selectively producing different sound pitches.

Abstract: A drum head assembly for use in drums, tambourines, banjos, or the like. A polymeric film is stretched across an annular member having a U-shaped channel formed in cross-section along its edge. The film is stretched and forced into the channel by plug member and is adhesively bonded therein. The plug member extends above the channel and receives a second, similarly shaped annular member over its exposed edge to provide a finished surface as well as an easy means for attaching the assembly to a musical instrument shell.

Abstract: A method of forming a non-tunable head for a drum, banjo, tambourine, or similar musical instrument is described. A highly oriented crystalline polymeric film is immersed into a liquid solvent bath containing a halogenated methane compound until the film swells to become sufficiently soft so that it can be draped. The film is then removed from the solvent bath and preferably mechanically wiped to remove solvent remaining on its surface. The film is securely attached to an annular member before it dries, and is then dried by allowing the solvent to evaporate. As the film dries, it shrinks to substantially its original dimensions to provide a constant tension in the head. The heads formed by this method have sufficient tension to provide an effective musical tone without the utilization of clamping or stretching means which must be periodically readjusted to maintain a desired tension in the head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a head on a musical instrument, such as a drum, tambourine, banjo, or the like. A vibratile sheet is stretched across the opening in a first member, such as an annular hoop, having inner and outer rims defining a channel along the edge thereof which is at least partially filled with an adhesive. A plug member is preferably inserted into the channel such that the polymeric film is shaped and stretched flat over said inner rim as it is forced into the channel and contacts the adhesive. The channel of the first member is inserted into a cavity corresponding in shape thereto in a second member, such as an annular ring which forms the rim along the edge of the shell of the musical instrument such that the first member is firmly engaged therein.

Abstract: A sound producing instrument comprises a staff having a group of pins projecting from each end of the staff, and a plurality of cupped discs mounted on each pin. A rod having a toothed surface may be used in combination with the instrument. The staff may be moved up and down, shaken from side to side, and/or stroked across its central portion by the toothed rod, thereby producing a rythmic sound.

Abstract: A method of forming a non-tunable head for a drum, banjo, tambourine, or similar musical instrument is described. A highly oriented crystalline polymeric film is immersed into a liquid solvent bath containing a halogenated methane compound until the film swells to become sufficiently soft so that it can be draped. The film is then removed from the solvent bath and preferably mechanically wiped to remove solvent remaining on its surface. The film is securely attached to an annular member before it dries, and is then dried by allowing the solvent to evaporate. As the film dries, it shrinks to substantially its original dimensions to provide a constant tension in the head. The heads formed by this method have sufficient tension to provide an effective musical tone without the utilization of clamping or stretching means which must be periodically readjusted to maintain a desired tension in the head.