Bass clarinet body strap

Abstract

The Bass Clarinet Body Strap allows a bass clarinetist to attach their body to their bass clarinet and its loop attachment point on the instrument situated above the bass clarinet thumb rest. A wide strap has one end that goes in front of the player approximately at chest level, and extends over one shoulder, across the back, down around the other side of their body coming out below the other arm, and around the front of the player's body where the two wide strap ends meet. One end of the wide strap has a lace attached that is manually passed through an opening in the other end of the wide strap and is affixed to the closed loop of a hook. This hook is then affixed to the bass clarinet loop attachment point above the thumb rest. A buckle on the strap allows for size adjustment.

Claims

1. A bass clarinet body strap assembly comprising: a strap having a first end and a second end, each end having an opening; a lace having two ends, one end of the lace connected to the second end of the strap; a hook tied to other end of the lace, the hook to be attached with an eye of a bass clarinet, the hook feeds through the first end of the wide strap end and is affixed to the eye of the bass clarinet; wherein the strap goes in front of a bass clarinet player at chest level and extends over shoulder and across back of the bass clarinet player, and coming out below an opposite arm, and around front of the bass clarinet player to where the first end and the second end meet.

2. A bass clarinet body strap assembly of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment buckle that that can increase or decrease the length of the strap.

3. A bass clarinet body strap assembly of claim 1, wherein a reinforced material is attached on the first end and the second end.

4. A bass clarinet body strap assembly of claim 1, wherein the hook is having two ends, and wherein one end is a closed loop used for attachment by the lace, and another end is open so that it can hook onto the bass clarinet's eye attachment point that is built into the bass clarinet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a Bb soprano clarinet being held in playing position.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates view of a soprano clarinet and a bass clarinet.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a soprano clarinet thumb rest.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a clarinet player's thumb in playing position on a soprano clarinet thumb rest.

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates a bass clarinet player's thumb in playing position on a bass clarinet thumb rest with the loop attachment point above it.

(6) FIG. 6 illustrates a view of a bass clarinet peg.

(7) FIG. 7 illustrates a bass clarinet pushing away from the hands.

(8) FIG. 8 illustrates a bass clarinet neck strap in playing position.

(9) FIG. 9 illustrates a bass clarinet body strap being according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 10 illustrates the bass clarinet body strap extending over the player's shoulder, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 11 illustrates bass clarinet body strap, according to an embodiment of the present invention, going around the back of the player.

(12) FIG. 12 illustrates the bass clarinet body strap ends together in front with the lace/hook assembly extended through the far end of the strap, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 13 illustrates the bass clarinet body strap hooked to the bass clarinet at the loop attachment point, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(14) FIG. 14 illustrates the strap adjustment buckle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(15) FIG. 15 illustrates the bass clarinet body strap, according to an embodiment of the present invention, being worn under a jacket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(16) Referring to FIG. 9-15, disclosed herein is a bass clarinet body strap assembly comprising a strap having a first end and a second end. Each end consists of an opening. The bass clarinet body strap further comprises a lace having two ends wherein one end of the lace connected to the second end of the strap. A hook is tied to other end of the lace and attached with an eye of the bass clarinet. The hook feeds through the first end of the wide strap end and is affixed to the eye of the bass clarinet. The strap goes in front of a bass clarinet player at chest level and extends over shoulder and across back of the bass clarinet player, and comes out below an opposite arm, and around front of the bass clarinet player to where the first end and the second end meet. The hook of the bass clarinet body strap assembly consists of two ends, wherein one end is a closed loop used for attachment by the lace, and another end is open so that it can hook onto the bass clarinet's eye attachment point that is built into the bass clarinet. The bass clarinet body strap assembly further comprises an adjustment buckle that can increase or decrease the length of the strap. The bass clarinet body strap assembly is provided with a reinforced material attached on the first end and the second end.

(17) A Bb soprano clarinet in playing position. The clarinet is supported by the right thumb and the mouth on the mouthpiece and held at an angle of about 45 degrees. The weight of the instrument falls almost completely on the right thumb.

(18) A soprano clarinet next to a bass clarinet, giving a perspective on the difference in size between the two instruments. A bass clarinet weights 15-25 times more than a soprano clarinet, and plays an octave lower than the soprano clarinet, although most of today's modern bass clarinets are extended to a low C rather than low E on the soprano clarinet.

(19) The thumb rest on a soprano clarinet. The right thumb goes right below the thumb rest to hold up the weight of the instrument.

(20) A right hand in playing position on the soprano clarinet. The right thumb is positioned below the thumb rest between the thumb nail and the first joint. The right thumb does not move while the instrument is being played, and the fingers of the right hand are left totally relaxed for effortlessly pressing the keys for great facility, rapidity, and fluidity.

(21) The right hand in playing position on a bass clarinet. The thumb goes to the same position as it does when playing the soprano clarinet—between the right thumb nail and first joint—but does not support the weight of the instrument. This would be exceedingly difficult to do as a bass clarinet weights between 30-50 pounds. Identified in the photo are both the thumb rest and the loop attachment point used by the Bass Clarinet Body Strap or any other support mechanism.

(22) A view of the bass clarinet lower joint, with the bass clarinet peg, which transmits the weight of the bass clarinet to the floor. The peg goes into an adjustable slot on the bass clarinet bell joint that has a tightening screw so that the player can adjust the height of the instrument up and down. A rubber foot at the bottom of the peg keeps the instrument from sliding.

(23) The bass clarinet in playing position with no means of keeping the instrument from moving away from the player. The weight of the instrument is transmitted to the floor through the peg; therefore, the instrument is in a neutral position that is subject to outward pressure from the mouth and hands.

(24) The bass clarinet being played with a neck strap that is connected to the loop attachment point above the right thumb rest. This appliance uses pressure from the neck to keep the instrument from moving away from the player. Because the strap goes around the neck, it pulls downward on the neck and can create pain, discomfort and stress on the neck, its muscles, and bones. The steep angle of this neck strap (>45 degrees) amplifies the downward pressure and creates additional discomfort.

(25) The Bass Clarinet Body Strap assembly showing the end of the strap with the lace extending out to the hook that is fastened to the closed loop on the hook. It is being held in approximately the position where it will be used—at the bottom of the chest.

(26) The wide strap of the Bass Clarinet Body Strap which goes over one shoulder.

(27) The wide strap of the Bass Clarinet Body Strap which extends across the back, down around the other side of the back of the body.

(28) The Bass Clarinet Body Strap positioned for use by a player. The hook is being held, ready to be attached to the bass clarinet loop attachment point. The lace attached at one end to the starting end of the wide strap, and the other end is attached to the hook. The hook and lace go through the far end of the wide strap, bringing them together. This way, tension from pulling the bass clarinet towards the player is distributed across the back instead of downward on the neck.

(29) The hook of the Bass Clarinet Body Strap is hooked onto the bass clarinet loop attachment point, right above the thumb rest. In this position, the player is ready to play and stability and freedom are provided through the Bass Clarinet Body Strap.

(30) The adjustment buckle on the wide strap of the Bass Clarinet Body Strap. This allows the wide strap length to be shortened or lengthened to allow for differences in player size and desired distance and pressure between the bass clarinet and the player.

(31) Playing position with the Bass Clarinet Body Strap. It fits under a jacket or tuxedo.