This presentation exposes the invention of a fully chromatic single-pipe wind instrument, without any mechanisms or keys, capable of covering a register of three octaves. This instrument can take two different forms, the flute form or the saxophone form.

The concept is an ergonomic configuration of construction which allows to obtain equal playing freedom for the ten fingers of the musician and the physical balance of the instrument by the combination of two material factors: firstly a support added to the body of the pipe which is gripped by one hand in the hollow between the thumb and forefinger, and secondly an ergonomic arrangement of the finger holes on both sides of the pipe to strengthen the overall balance.

The objective of this invention is to bring together two qualities which seem hitherto incompatible: on the one hand the possibility of easily playing all the semi-tones of the chromatic scale on a large range, and on the other hand the possibility to play cursive ornementation (pitch continuity in between notes) as well as with semi-rhythmic ornamentation.

For the musician, the interest is to play freely in any tonality without constraints, in particular without using the common half-hole fingerings of flutes and keyless saxophones, and to be able to invest in the tonal world the expressive field of keyless instruments techniques, whether semi-rhythmic ornamentation or cursive ornamentation.

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.

The invention provides a detachable wind guard for a flute-type instrument comprising an elongate, arcuate cover configured to wrap over a flute barrel. The cover has a center section with a radius larger than the radius of the flute barrel and includes a tapered, recessed facing edge configured to leave an embouchure hole uncovered. A domed apex of the center section is sized to accommodate a microphone, and a microphone clip is coupled inside the domed apex. End sections taper to a radius sized to conform to the flute barrel. An elongate, arcuate holder positioned opposite the cover has a radius sized to conform to the flute barrel. A connector pin passes through knuckles on both the cover and holder to form a hinge that allows the wind guard to open in a clamshell manner. Torsion springs around the connector pin bias the holder in a closed position.

A pad for a woodwind instrument is provided. The pad is formed of a pad material, and a pad ring retainer about a perimeter side edge of the pad material. The pad ring retainer is adapted to support the pad material as well as any membrane which encloses the pad material. As constructed, the pad utilizes the ring retainer as a type of internal skeleton to support the pad but also provide added flexibility and versatility to the pad.

The invention relates to an alto flute set having a flute body (5) with tone holes, one mouthpiece (1), a straight extension (3) connectable to the flute body (5) and to the one mouthpiece (1), a curved extension (4) connectable to the flute body (5) and to the one mouthpiece (1).

The invention relates to an alto flute set having a flute body (5) with tone holes, one mouthpiece (1), a straight extension (3) connectable to the flute body (5) and to the one mouthpiece (1), a curved extension (4) connectable to the flute body (5) and to the one mouthpiece (1).

This invention relates to new designs of tubular body flutes both to facilitate more natural and more consistent placement and orientation of the flute player's hands and to enhance the flexibility of the player's lips so as to more perfectly play the flute by greatly increasing the stability of the flute in the player's hands by firmly connecting the flute to the player's finger (and/or thumb) by provision of a finger connecting part through which the flute player's left index finger is inserted, as like wearing a ring. It firmly fixes the flute to the player's left index finger (and/or thumb) so that the flute is stabilized without pressure on the player's mouth. Thus, it enhances the flexibility of the player's lips to more perfectly form the airstream sounding the flute while also more exactly and repeatedly locating the player's fingers on the flute by preventing inadvertent rotation of the flute. This is especially beneficial for the player's lower lip, which, under extant art, is forcibly pinned against the lower teeth and gums so as to stabilize the flute. This benefit is achieved by completely stabilizing the flute in the player's hands by firmly connecting the flute to the player's finger (and/or thumb) with a finger connecting means incorporating an opening in the invention through which the flute player's left index finger (and/or thumb) is inserted, as like wearing a ring. In the preferred embodiment the finger connecting means is a ring-like structure built onto the flute and for economy this additional device is hereafter referred to as a ring. The use of a ring provides a firm connection between the player's fingers and the flute permitting the left index finger and right thumb to completely stabilize the instrument with no pressure on the player's lips whatsoever, while completely preventing inadvertent rotation of the flute. A very substantial benefit of the instant invention over extant art is that it allows the flute to be safely played by growing children without disrupting the proper development of their gums and teeth. Many parents permit their children to start their music education only with a piano or a violin because wind instruments have a tendency to put severe stress and strain on the mouth, teeth and gums, which can distort their development. Because the instant invention permits, even encourages, the best use of the flute without strong, or even any, pressure on the teeth and gums, a flute so equipped can be used even by young children without orthodontial concerns.

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). Pipe section (2) includes an additional extension piece (42, 43) which is removable

The instant invention relates to new attachments for the round tubular body of flutes. It firmly, but easily and removably, affixes the flute to the player's left index finger (and/or thumb) so that the flute is stabilized without pressure on the player's lower lip. Thus, it enhances the flexibility of the player's lips so as to more perfectly play the flute while also more exactly and repeatedly locating the player's fingers on the flute, while preventing inadvertent rotation of the flute. This is especially beneficial for the player's lower lip, which, under extant art, is forcibly pinned against the lower teeth and gums so as to stabilize the flute. This benefit is achieved by completely stabilizing the flute in the player's hands by firmly connecting the flute to the player's finger (and/or thumb) with a finger retainer incorporating an opening through which the flute player's left index finger (and/or thumb) is inserted, like wearing a ring.

In the preferred embodiment, the finger retainer is a ring-like structure built into the flute-finger connector and for economy this system is hereafter referred to as a ring. The use of a ring provides a firm connection between the player's fingers, the flute-finger connector and the flute permitting the left index finger and right thumb to completely stabilize the instrument with no pressure on the player's lips whatsoever, while completely preventing inadvertent rotation of the flute.

One benefit of the instant invention over extant art is its flexibility with respect to the types of flutes it may be connected to. In one embodiment, attachment to the flute body is by an extraneous, extant, devices, such as cable ties, hook and loop, etc., which are adjustable and flexible so as to permit attachment of the device to tubular body flutes of widely varying cross-sectional dimensions, such as alto, bass, piccolo and treble flutes, as well as the more common C flute. Thus, a player could invest substantially in a device made of high-quality material, such gold with precious stones, assured of their ability to easily move it from flute to flute and between any number of different types of flutes.

A second benefit of the instant invention over extant art is that a player can use it without altering their hand position from how they would play the flute without the device. The absence of any pad between the ring and the body of the flute means that the player's left hand index finger rests directly on the body of the flute, exactly the same as it would rest on the flute absent the invention. Thus, this invention requires no adjustment to the player's style of playing whatsoever, except that it enhances th

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.