Musical instrument, having a device for tuning tuning bodies, method for retuning a musical instrument and use of a musical instrument

Abstract

According to the invention, a musical instrument having a device for tuning tuning bodies is disclosed, a) having at least (12) mechanical tuning elements or tuning element systems, b) wherein the (12) mechanical tuning elements or tuning element systems represent the (12) chromatic notes of an octave, c) wherein in each case a tuning element or tuning element system is mechanically operatively connected to at least one tuning body, d) wherein each tuning element or tuning element system has exclusively octave-related tuning bodies associated with it, e) wherein during tuning of the musical instrument the tuning elements or tuning element systems are actuatable or actuated independently of one another, wherein the tuning elements are embodied as tuning levers and/or the tuning element systems are embodied as tuning lever systems, wherein a tuning lever system has at least two tuning levers that have differently located pivots, wherein the tuning levers are slidingly connected to one another by means of adjacent pivots, and wherein the geometric arrangement of the operative connections of the octave-related tuning bodies and the associated tuning elements in relation to one another is configured in the manner of an intercept theorem.

Claims

1. Musical instrument having a device for tuning tuning bodies (1), a) having at least 12 mechanical tuning elements (2) or tuning element systems (2′), b) wherein the 12 mechanical tuning elements (2) or tuning element systems (2′) represent the 12 chromatic notes of an octave, c) wherein in each case a tuning element (2) or tuning element system (2′) is in mechanical operative connection with at least one tuning body (1), d) wherein exclusively octave-related tuning bodies are associated with each tuning element (2) or tuning element system (2′), e) wherein during tuning of the musical instrument, the tuning elements (2) or tuning element systems (2′) are actuated or actuatable independently of one another, wherein the tuning elements (2) are designed as tuning levers and/or the tuning element systems (2′) are designed as tuning lever systems, wherein a tuning lever system has at least two tuning levers that have differently located pivot points (4), wherein the tuning levers are slidingly connected to one another via adjacent pivot points (4), and wherein the geometric arrangement of the operative connections of the octave-related tuning bodies (1) and the associated elements (2) in relation to one another is configured in the manner of an intercept theorem.

2. Musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the musical instrument is configured in such a way that during tuning, all intervals of a chord and all chords may be rendered in pure tuning relative to one another.

3. Musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the tuning lever or tuning lever system and the tuning body (1) has a sliding design.

4. Musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the design is such that the actuation of an octave-related note having a higher frequency compared to an octave-related note having a lower frequency is achieved in a stepped-down manner.

5. Musical instrument according to claim 4, wherein the mechanical operative connection is designed in such a way that the tuning bodies (1) for each tuning element (2) have a retuning range of 300 cents in each case.

6. Musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein only one tuning lever or one tuning lever system is associated, at least for a portion of the octave-related tuning bodies (1) based on an octave tone, up to only one tuning lever or one tuning lever system being associated for each octave-related tuning body (1) based on an octave tone.

7. Musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the musical instrument is configured in such a way that a tuning lever of the tuning lever system is operatively connected to this tuning body (1), for up to each octave-related tuning body (1) based on an octave tone.

8. Musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the musical instrument has at least one actuating member for retuning.

9. Musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein at least one tuning body (1) is a tunable pipe having an adjustable piston element (10).

10. Musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical operative connection between at least one tuning element (2) or tuning element system (2′) and at least one tuning body (1) is adjustable.

11. Musical instrument according to claim 10, wherein the operative connection is adjustable in two mutually orthogonal directions.

12. Method for retuning a musical instrument having a device for tuning tuning bodies (1), the method comprising: a) providing the musical instrument, the musical instrument including: a device for tuning tuning bodies (1); at least 12 mechanical tuning elements (2) or tuning element systems (2′); the 12 mechanical tuning elements (2) or tuning element systems (2′) represent the 12 chromatic notes of an octave; in each case a tuning element (2) or tuning element system (2′) is in mechanical operative connection with at least one tuning body (1); exclusively octave-related tuning bodies are associated with each tuning element (2) or tuning element system (2′); during tuning of the musical instrument, the tuning elements (2) or tuning element systems (2′) are actuated or actuatable independently of one another; the tuning elements (2) are designed as tuning levers and/or the tuning element systems (2′) are designed as tuning lever systems; a tuning lever system has at least two tuning levers that have differently located pivot points (4), wherein the tuning levers are slidingly connected to one another via adjacent pivot points (4), and the geometric arrangement of the operative connections of the octave-related tuning bodies (1) and the associated elements (2) in relation to one another is configured in the manner of an intercept theorem; and b) retuning the musical instrument.

13. Method for retuning a musical instrument having a device for tuning tuning bodies (1), the method comprising: a) providing the musical instrument, the musical instrument including: a device for tuning tuning bodies (1); at least 12 mechanical tuning elements (2) or tuning element systems (2′); the 12 mechanical tuning elements (2) or tuning element systems (2′) represent the 12 chromatic notes of an octave; in each case a tuning element (2) or tuning element system (2′) is in mechanical operative connection with at least one tuning body (1); exclusively octave-related tuning bodies are associated with each tuning element (2) or tuning element system (2′); during tuning of the musical instrument, the tuning elements (2) or tuning element systems (2′) are actuated or actuatable independently of one another; the tuning elements (2) are designed as tuning levers and/or the tuning element systems (2′) are designed as tuning lever systems; a tuning lever system has at least two tuning levers that have differently located pivot points (4), wherein the tuning levers are slidingly connected to one another via adjacent pivot points (4), and the geometric arrangement of the operative connections of the octave-related tuning bodies (1) and the associated elements (2) in relation to one another is configured in the manner of an intercept theorem; and b) retuning the musical instrument; and c) using the musical instrument for playing in any musical key of the circle of fifths, defined with regard to tempered tuning, in pure tuning by means of retuning while playing; and/or for playing in such a way that during tuning, all intervals of a chord and all chords may be rendered in pure tuning relative to one another.

Description

(1) The following embodiments serve solely to explain the invention in a nonlimiting manner, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of the musical instrument according to the invention; and

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of the musical instrument according to the invention.

(4) It is apparent from the schematic illustration in FIG. 1 that in this case four tuning bodies 1 in the form of pipes having displaceable piston elements 10 are in operative connection with the tuning element 2 in the form of a tuning lever, wherein the tuning lever 2 is rotatable about the pivot point 4, and the actuating rotation of the tuning lever 2 is actuatingly controlled by means of an electric drive 3 in the form of an electric motor for a retuning in question, for example by actuating an actuating member AM, for example and in particular in the form of a switch. Three different rotational positions of the tuning lever 2 are apparent in FIG. 1; according to the intercept theorem laws, from top to bottom, the linear displacements of the piston elements (not shown) of the tuning bodies 1 are achieved in a stepped-down manner from top to bottom, so that accurate and reliable retuning is achieved with regard to the octave-related third, even for the highest-pitch organ pipe 1 and the lowest-pitch organ pipe 1.

(5) A further embodiment of such a design is apparent in FIG. 2; in contrast, instead of a tuning lever 2 a tuning lever system 2′ is illustrated, which in this case has four tuning levers 2 which are slidingly connected to one another, and which due to the distances between the four pivot points 4 also allow other geometric ratios with regard to the arrangement of the individual organ pipes 1.

(6) The retuning device shown in FIG. 2 is in a manner of speaking a refinement of that shown in FIG. 1, wherein the levers AB, CD, EF, GH are connected to one another so that they respond jointly when the servomotor 3 is actuated, wherein AB is rotatably mounted at point B, CD is rotatably mounted at point D, EF is rotatably mounted at point F, and GH is rotatably mounted at point H, and in addition CD is connected to the lever AB at point C and is moved via AB, EF is connected to the lever CD at point E and is moved via CD, and GH is connected to the lever EF at point G and is moved via EF. Each resonator is retuned corresponding to its octave, wherein the retuning distances of the tuning bodies are in a 2:1 ratio in each case. In FIG. 2, no identifiers/letters of the contact points of the levers are present on the right side of the lever system. Therefore, the information refers to the center line (ML):

(7) A to ML is twice as long as C to ML

(8) C to ML is twice as long as E to ML

(9) E to ML is twice as long as G to ML.

(10) The left side of the distances indicated above shows the maximum deflection of the levers in the direction of lengthening of the organ pipes, and thus their frequency shift to lower notes, wherein the right side of the corresponding distances brings about the maximum deflection of the levers in the direction of shortening of the organ pipes, and thus an increase in the pitches.

(11) The lever AB is moved over the extension A-A via the servomotor, wherein the piston rods (not shown) of the individual tuning bodies 1 are guided on a linear guide and the levers AB, CD, EF, and GH are sliding connected to one another, so that the intercept theorem laws may be applied. The distances between the pivot bearings B, D, F, and H are freely positionable, so that the tuning bodies may be configured essentially as desired, and each tuning body may still be retuned according to its octave register.

(12) The octaves between the tuning bodies 1 are tuned over the length of the piston rods (not shown), wherein the retuning distance of the individual tuning bodies 1 over the displacement C, E, and G is corrected, so that the octave interval is maintained over the entire retuning distance.

(13) With regard to FIG. 1: All pipes are octave-related. This is reflected in their lengths and in the distances to the fixed pivot point of the retuning lever. The end of the pipes having the pistons is brought closer to the retuning lever with an identical distance. The deflection of the retuning lever in the direction of raised pitch is slightly less than in the direction of lowered pitch. The position of the linear motor is freely customizable. The shorter the retuning lever, the greater its rotational movement.

(14) With regard to FIG. 2: Refinement of tuning mechanism 1 Additional advantage: Completely free positioning of the pipes. Any configuration of the pipes is achievable via the lengths of the levers or the position of their pivot points—in the present diagram, for example with an identical distance between the pipe walls. In the present diagram, the linear motor and the lowest-pitch pipe are directly connected to a lever. The linear motor may still be freely positioned in this case, since its movements are programmable as desired. However, a configuration with a dedicated lever for the linear motor and the lowest-pitch in each case are also conceivable. For each pipe and linear motor, one lever is the maximum solution. However, it is also possible to freely move more than one pipe via one lever. The rotational movement of the levers is converted into a translational movement by the linear guides. In this way the intercept theorem laws are not violated. Two linear guides always cooperate: A linear guide in each case is mounted on the lever, and a second linear guide is mounted on the piston axis. The middle three linear guides (No. 2, No. 3, No. 4) in each case have the dual task of coordinating the movement of two levers with one another and coordinating the movement of a piston axis. The cooperating linear guides are in each case perpendicular to one another in the middle position of the levers (12 o'clock). (It is important to use linear guides having adjustable bearing play for precise transmission of the lever movements.) For further minimizing the space, the ends of the pipes on the piston side are brought closer to the outermost lever position in the direction of raised pitch with an identical distance. The outermost lever position in the direction of raised pitch has a slightly smaller deflection than the outermost lever position in the direction of lowered pitch.

(15) In the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and also in FIG. 2, the tuning bodies are organ pipes having adjustable piston elements, wherein the mechanical operative connection between at least one tuning lever 2 or one tuning lever system 2′ and at least one organ pipe 1, in particular in two mutually orthogonal directions, is adjustable in order to take into account the particular instrument-specific locations of the tuning bodies relative to one another and to the tuning element 2 or tuning element system 2′ in such a way that in practice, relatively rapid tuning of the musical instrument according to the invention is then achievable, so that in practice the octave series of the organ pipes may then be retuned.