A shoulder rest for a stringed instrument with a support element extending in a longitudinal direction for resting on the shoulder and/or chest of the player is intended to enable a particularly high tonal quality of the ensemble of instrument and shoulder rest. For this purpose, the support element is provided according to the invention with a number of opening slots extending in the longitudinal direction and completely penetrating the support element in its thickness.

A violin and bow training apparatus having a bow guide and a guide housing that is adjustable to accurately mimic the bow stroke angle for the four strings of the violin G, D, A, and E is provided.

A removable device for positioning a user's forearm and hand in relation to a guitar is provided. The removable device comprises: (i) a first strap overlying a first portion of the guitar and having attached thereto a first pad and a second pad; (ii) a second strap overlying a second portion of the guitar and joined to the first strap via a first connector, wherein the first connector is coupled to the guitar at a first point; and (iii) an adjustment mechanism overlying a third portion of the guitar and joined to the first strap, the second strap, the first connector, and a second connector, wherein the second connector is coupled to the guitar at a second point.

Elliptical silicone knuckle or roller for grand piano action with customized durometer reading is an elliptical cylinder shaped knuckle or roller for a grand piano hammer assembly with an elliptical cylinder shaped core that is made of silicone thermoset resin material, which can be molded or manufactured at any desired durometer reading of 10-100 units to yield a piano action and hammer assembly for a grand piano with the exact feel of escapement that is desired by any particular pianist. Escapement is the process whereby the jack stops driving the knuckle just before the hammer hits the strings where the hammer travels the last 1 to 2 mm to the strings on its own inertia and without any contact with the jack. Two embodiments of elliptical silicone knuckle or roller are presented: a wide embodiment and a narrow embodiment.

A foldable stringed instrument having a neck and/or body that may assume a reduced profile by folding an upper neck portion away from the playing position through the use of a translating bridge assembly and a translating truss assembly, wherein the foldable stringed instrument is capable of housing or otherwise being coupled to any of a variety of electronics or electrical components (e.g. a smart phone or tablet computer) having one or more applications (apps) for driving the operation, functionality and/or effects associated with the foldable stringed instrument.

A foldable stringed instrument having a neck and/or body that may assume a reduced profile by folding an upper neck portion away from the playing position through the use of a translating bridge assembly and a translating truss assembly, wherein the foldable stringed instrument is capable of housing or otherwise being coupled to any of a variety of electronics or electrical components (e.g. a smart phone or tablet computer) having one or more applications (apps) for driving the operation, functionality and/or effects associated with the foldable stringed instrument.

A banjo acoustic-chamber cushion is an apparatus that is used to minimize the discomfort caused by the sharp edges and brackets found around the perimeter of the acoustic chamber of a banjo. The apparatus may include a circular padded backing and an annular padded rim. The circular padded backing serves as a shield between the player's body and the back of a banjo acoustic chamber without obstructing the playing of the banjo. The circular padded backing also protects the back of the banjo acoustic chamber from physical damage such as scratches or dents. The annular padded rim serves as a shield between the player's body and the rim of the banjo acoustic chamber. The annular padded rim also secures the apparatus to the banjo acoustic chamber. Further, the annular padded rim protects the outer lateral surfaces of the banjo acoustic chamber from physical damage such as scratches and dents.

A banjo acoustic-chamber cushion is an apparatus that is used to minimize the discomfort caused by the sharp edges and brackets found around the perimeter of the acoustic chamber of a banjo. The apparatus may include a circular padded backing and an annular padded rim. The circular padded backing serves as a shield between the player's body and the back of a banjo acoustic chamber without obstructing the playing of the banjo. The circular padded backing also protects the back of the banjo acoustic chamber from physical damage such as scratches or dents. The annular padded rim serves as a shield between the player's body and the rim of the banjo acoustic chamber. The annular padded rim also secures the apparatus to the banjo acoustic chamber. Further, the annular padded rim protects the outer lateral surfaces of the banjo acoustic chamber from physical damage such as scratches and dents.

A removable device for positioning a user's forearm and hand in relation to a guitar is provided. The removable device comprises: (i) a first strap overlying a first portion of the guitar and having attached thereto a first pad and a second pad; (ii) a second strap overlying a second portion of the guitar and joined to the first strap via a first connector, wherein the first connector is coupled to the guitar at a first point; and (iii) an adjustment mechanism overlying a third portion of the guitar and joined to the first strap, the second strap, the first connector, and a second connector, wherein the second connector is coupled to the guitar at a second point.

A foldable stringed instrument having a neck and/or body that may assume a reduced profile by folding an upper neck portion away from the playing position through the use of a translating bridge assembly and a translating truss assembly, wherein the foldable stringed instrument is capable of housing or otherwise being coupled to any of a variety of electronics or electrical components (e.g. a smart phone or tablet computer) having one or more applications (apps) for driving the operation, functionality and/or effects associated with the foldable stringed instrument.