Abstract: An adjustable pitch drum consists of a drum shell of any suitable shape having an open end, a drum head pitch changing mechanism, and a supporting structure mounting the pitch changing mechanism to the drum shell. The pitch changing mechanism consists of a threaded rod adjustably threaded to the supporting structure, a drum head clamping hoop mounted coaxially on the rod for rotation thereabout, and a drum head tensioning hoop non-rotatably mounted on the other end of the rod. Rotation of the drum head and its clamping hoop about the rod varies the tension of the drum head on the tensioning hoop, thereby changing the pitch of the drum. Movement of the threaded rod in the supporting structure changes the spacing of the drum head from the drum shell open end, thereby changing the resonance characteristics of the drum assembly.

Abstract: A practice pad for a drum or similar percussion instrument of the type fabricated of a construction material having sound-muffling characteristics and used in a directly supported position on the playing head of the drum, in the use of which all auxiliary structure to hold the pad on the drum vibrating playing head, and thus keep it in place, is eliminated. This is done simply by the advantageous selection of an appropriate weight oil-tanned leather as the construction material for the pad. In use, this specifically selected material has the proper weight to dampen, and thus muffle the drum auditory output and, also, by its sheer weight maintains a flat, surface-to-surface contact with the vibrating drum playing head, thus obviating any need for appropriate clamps or other structural members which typically are attached to the drum and to the pad.

Abstract: A removable tonal pitch indicator for a kettledrum having a foot lever-actuated adjustably tensioned drumhead or tympanum. The indicator provides a visual indication of the tonal pitch of the tympanum and includes a reciprocally movable marker which is moved upwardly or away from the tympanist to indicate a higher pitch and downwardly or toward the tympanist to indicate a lower tonal pitch of the tympanum. The desired direction of movement of the marker is attained by enclosing a relatively stiff cable in a sheath. The cable is attached to the marker and is anchored below the lever device while the sheath cooperates between the indicator housing and the lever device. Sufficient curvature is provided in the sheath/cable combination so that the movement of the lever device changes the curvature of the sheath/cable combination thereby forcing the cable to move the marker in a direction counter to the movement of the lever device.

Abstract: A musical instrument tuning device for tuning a musical instrument, having a vibrating sound producing member, is herein disclosed. The musical instrument tuning device includes a tone sensor, connected to the vibrating sound producing member. A comparator is connected to the tone sensor. A signal generator is also connected to the tone sensor. A tone adjustor is connected to the comparator, and to the vibrating sound producing member. The tone sensor senses the rate of vibration of the vibrating sound producing element, and produces a tone sensor signal indicative of the rate of vibration. The signal generator produces a selected frequency signal. The comparator receives the tone sensor signal and selected frequency signal, and produces an error signal indicative of the difference between the tone sensor signal and selected frequency signal. The tone adjustor receives the error signal, and adjusts the rate of vibration of the vibrating sound producing element in response thereto.

Abstract: This invention relates to a foot-operated Bowden type cable mechanism which is operatively associated with a padded damping plate whose incidence with the underside of a timpano membrane, for example, terminates its vibration. If the device of the invention is actuated prior to the delivery of an exciting blow, operation is as a muffler or mute.In an alternate embodiment, an electromechanical actuator is mounted so as to allow the silent and hand-free muffling or silencing of a timpano. Typically, the actuator is a direct current energized solenoid mounted internally to the drum. This solenoid is of the push type, the magnetically nonsusceptible plunger-extension being directed upwards and conveying to the underside of the timpano membrane the camping plate with overlying padding whose incidence with the membrane mutes or terminates its vibration. A foot switch permits hands-free operation.