Mouthpiece for woodwind instruments with chamfered venturi aperture

Abstract

An improved mouthpiece for use with single reed woodwind instruments is provided. The transition from the top surfaces of the side rails to the exterior of the mouthpiece includes a chamfer extending along a portion of each side rail to achieve a venturi effect between the top surfaces and the reed at the region of the tone chamber adjacent the tip rail.

Claims

1. A woodwind mouthpiece comprising: an outer surface; a tone chamber disposed within the outer surface; a window exposing the tone chamber; a pair of side rails running along opposite sides of the window, each side rail comprising a side rail top surface; and a pair of chamfers, each chamfer extending along the one of the side rails and intersecting the side rail top surface and the outer surface of the mouthpiece.

2. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein each chamfer intersects the side rail top surface at a taper line extending a chamfer length along the side rail.

3. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 2, wherein: each side rail comprises a side rail length; and the chamfer length is less than the side rail length.

4. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 2, wherein the chamfer length is less than about 1 inch.

5. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 2, wherein: each side rail top surface comprises an inner edge adjacent the window and an outer edge adjacent the outer surface of the mouthpiece; and each taper line extends from the inner edge to the outer edge.

6. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of each taper line extends along a portion of the inner edge.

7. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of each taper line is spaced from and is parallel to the inner edge.

8. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 7, wherein the portion of the taper line is spaced from the inner edge by a distance of up to about 1 mm.

9. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 2, wherein: each side rail top surface comprises an inner edge adjacent the window and an outer edge adjacent the outer surface of the mouthpiece; and at least a portion of each taper line extends along the inner edge.

10. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 2, wherein: the mouthpiece comprises a tip rail extending between the side rails at an end of the window; and each taper line extends along the top surface of the side rail from a point of intersection of the tip rail and one of the side rails.

11. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the chamfer comprises a flat surface.

12. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the chamfer comprises a curved surface.

13. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein: each side rail comprises a side rail length; each chamfer comprises a chamfer length along the side rail; and the chamfer length is less than the side rail length.

14. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 13, wherein the chamfer length is less than about 1 inch.

15. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein each chamfer extends from the side rail top surface by an angle of less than 90.

16. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein each chamfer intersects the outer surface along a curved line.

17. A woodwind mouthpiece comprising: an outer surface; a tone chamber disposed within the outer surface; a window exposing the tone chamber; a pair of side rails running along opposite sides of the window, each side rail comprising a side rail top surface, an inner edge adjacent the window and an outer edge adjacent the outer surface of the mouthpiece; and a pair of chamfers, each chamfer comprising a flat surface extending along the one of the side rails, intersecting the side rail top surface and the outer surface of the mouthpiece at a taper line extending a chamfer length along the side rail and intersecting the outer surface along a curved line, each taper line extending from the inner edge to the outer edge.

18. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of each taper line is spaced from and is parallel to the inner edge.

19. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 17, wherein the chamfer length is less than about 1 inch.

20. The woodwind mouthpiece of claim 17, wherein: the mouthpiece comprises a tip rail extending between the side rails at an end of the window; and each taper line extends along the top surface of the side rail from a point of intersection of the tip rail and one of the side rails.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bottom side of an embodiment of a mouthpiece in accordance with the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a view through line 2-2 of FIG. 1 with the bottom side facing upwards;

(3) FIG. 3 is a view through line 3-3 of FIG. 1 with the bottom side facing upwards;

(4) FIG. 4 is a view through line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 5 is a partial view of the view of FIG. 4;

(6) FIG. 6 is a partial view of the side rail showing embodiments of the chamfer;

(7) FIG. 7 is a partial view of the side rail showing another embodiment of the chamfer; and

(8) FIG. 8 is a plan view of a bottom side of another embodiment of a mouthpiece in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) Exemplary embodiments are directed to mouthpieces for woodwind musical instruments, e.g., single reed mouthpieces, and other suitable devices in which the venturi effect at the aperture between the mouthpiece window and the reed is manipulated. Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of a woodwind mouthpiece 100 is illustrated. The woodwind mouthpiece includes a tone chamber 102 disposed within the mouthpiece. Typically, the tone chamber has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape when view along the central axis 104 of the woodwind mouthpiece. A generally rectangular window 106 exposes the tone chamber. In one embodiment, the window narrows from a tip rail 108 at a first end 110 of the mouthpiece or window to a table end of the window located at the transition between the window and a table 112 that is disposed on an outer surface 114 of the mouthpiece. The table, which is in contact with the window, is configured to engage a reed and, in particular, the heel end of the reed. A ligature (not shown) is placed around the reed and mouthpiece at the table to secure the reed to the mouthpiece. The window transitions to the table at a table end of the window opposite the first end. Conventionally, this transition between the window and the table is straight, i.e., perpendicular to the central axis, or is effectively straight, having only a slight curvature 116.

(10) In one embodiment, the woodwind mouthpiece includes a notch 121 in the table that extends into the table from the window. Preferably, the notch passes completely through the table and can have various shapes such as rectangular, semi-circular, elliptical and u-shaped. Preferably, the notch is a v-shaped notch. In one embodiment, the v-shaped notch is centered on the central axis 104 of the mouthpiece. The notch can also have more complex geometries such as a w-shaped notch or multiple identical notches spanning a width of the table perpendicular to the central axis. In one embodiment, the notch extends into the table to a point 120 that is located at least about 50% along the given length of the table. Preferably, the notch extends into the table from about 50% of the given length to about 60% along the given length. When the notch is a v-shaped notch, the notch defines an angle 118. This angle can be at least about 15 degrees and is preferably at least about 30 degrees. When measured with respect to the central axis 104, the angle is at least about 12.5 degree or preferably at least about 15 degrees. Although illustrated as symmetric with respect to the central axis with the point 120 located on the central axis, the notch can be a-symmetric or could be entirely contained on only one side of the central axis.

(11) As illustrated, the window extends along the mouthpiece from the first end 110 a given length 107, e.g., greater than about 1 inch, for example from about 2 to 3 inches, and is in contact with the table opposite the first end. The mouthpiece includes a central mouthpiece bore 124 passing through the mouthpiece from a second end 126 of the mouthpiece opposite the first end to the tone chamber. In one embodiment, the central mouthpiece bore has a circular cross-section. In one embodiment, the notch extends into the table a distance sufficient to expose at least a portion of this mouthpiece bore. Therefore, the notch extends past the tone chamber portion of the mouthpiece to the central bore portion of the mouthpiece.

(12) In one embodiment, the woodwind mouthpiece includes a groove 128 formed into the bottom surface 130 of the tone chamber 102. This groove has a smooth, curved profile (FIG. 2) along the central axis of the mouthpiece and provides a more gradual transition from the tone chamber 102 to the central bore 124 of the mouthpiece along the bottom surface of the tone chamber. In one embodiment, the tone chamber bottom surface groove is formed with a v-shaped profile when view from the window of the tone chamber (FIG. 1) and has a semi-circular or rounded cross section perpendicular to the central axis of the mouthpiece. In one embodiment, the geometry of the v-shaped profile is similar to the geometry of the v-shaped notch in the table. For example, the v-shaped groove is symmetric along the central axis of the mouthpiece and defines an angle 119 of at least about 15 degrees and preferably at least about 30 degrees. In one embodiment, the v-shaped groove has a profile, when viewed from the window of the tone chamber that is a mirror image of the v-shaped notch in the table along a line 117 perpendicular to the central axis of the mouthpiece. This line defines a transition point from the tone chamber window to the table.

(13) A pair of side rails having side rail top surfaces 144 extend along either side of the window from the tip rail 108 to the table 112. In one embodiment, the tip rail has a flat top surface. In general, each side rail extends along the complete length of the window. Each top surface is configured to engage the bottom surface of the reed that is attached over the window. The top surface of each side rail has a width 145 extending from an inner surface or inner wall 141 of the tone chamber, i.e., an inner edge of the side rail top surface, to the outer surface 114 of the mouthpiece, i.e., an outer edge of the side rail top surface. In general, each top surface is flat or coplanar with the surface of the table. Therefore, contact between the bottom surface of the reed and the mouthpiece extends from the table along each side rail. The inner and outer edges of the side rail top surface are sharp edges. To provide improved air flow between the reed and the top surface of each side rail and into the tone chamber during a negative pressure situation within the tone chamber, the interface between the side rail top surface and the outer surface of the mouthpiece is softened or smoothed.

(14) In one embodiment, each side rail includes at least one chamfer 140 or bevel. Therefore, the mouthpiece includes at least one pair of chamfers. Each chamfer intersects the top surface of the side rail and the outer surface of the mouthpiece. In one embodiment, the chamfer intersects the outer surface along a curved line. Thus, the chamfers provide the desired softening of the interface between the side rail top surface and the outer surface of the mouthpiece. Each chamfer has a chamfer length 146 that extends along only a portion of the overall length of each side rail. In one embodiment, the chamfer length is less than about 1 inch, preferably less than about 0.75 inches. The chamfer intersects the top surface of the side rail at any point from the inner edge of the top rail to the outer edge of the top rail adjacent the outer surface of the mouthpiece. In one embodiment, the chamfer extends along the inner edge of the top rail from the tip rail a portion of the length of the side rail before following a chamfer line or taper line 142 across the width of the side rail to the outer edge of the side rail at the outer surface of the mouthpiece. In one embodiment, at the point that the taper line intersects the outer edge of the side rail, the top surface of the side rail is flat from that point until the table. In one embodiment, the chamfer begins at the point of intersection of the side rail and the tip rail and extends from that point along a portion of the side rail a given chamfer length 146. In one embodiment, the chamfer length is up to about 1 inch. In one embodiment, the chamfer begins along the side rail at a point spaced from the tip rail.

(15) Suitable methods for forming the chamfer include, but are not limited to, sanding or grinding each chamber into each side rail and forming each chamfer as the mouthpiece is molded. Preferably, each chamfer is a flat of planar surface that is not parallel to the inner wall of the tone chamber and intersects the top surface of the side rail at an angle other than 90 degrees. Alternatively, each chamfer can be a convex or concave surface.

(16) Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, the chamfers 140 form a gap or funnel 149 between the surface of the chamfer 140 and the bottom surface 147 of the reed 148. Therefore, instead of each side rail top surface 144 being in contact with the bottom of the reed from the outer edge 151 to the inner edge 152 of the side rail along the entire length of the side rail, the gap 149 creates a space between the reed and the side rail that extends from the side rail top surface to a line of intersection 161 with the outer surface 114 of the mouthpiece. This gap facilitates the flow of air in the direction indicated by arrow A, from outside the mouthpiece, through the aperture between the top rail and the reed and into the tone chamber 102. The inner edge 152 of each side rail continues to contact with the bottom of the reed along the entire length of each side rail, including that portion of the length containing the chamfer upon closure of the valve formed between the reed and the window. The point of intersection between the chamfer and the top surface of each side rail varies along the length of the chamfer. In addition, the chamfer, being a preferably planar surface, intersects the top surface of each side rail at a given chamfer angle 154. This given angle is not equal to 90 degrees. The chamfer angle can be constant along the chamfer length or can vary along the chamfer length. In one embodiment, each chamfer does not intersect the inner wall of the tone chamber other than at the inner edge of the top surface of the side rail. Therefore, the sharp edge and closure of the valve formed between the reed and the window is maintained.

(17) Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, arrangements of the chamfer 140 and the taper line of the chamfer along the side rail are illustrated. While illustrated for one side rail, similar chamfers and taper lines can be included in both side rails. In one embodiment (FIG. 6), the chamfer extends along the inner edge 152 of the side rail top surface a given initial distance 160 and then follows a taper line 142 across the width of the side rail to the outer edge 151 of the top surface of the side rail. The initial distance is less than the overall chamfer length 146 measured along the side rail from the tip rail 108. In one embodiment, the initial distance is less than about 0.5 inches or less than about 0.375 inches. In another embodiment, the chamfer begins at the point of intersection 170 between the inner edge of the side rail top surface and the tip rail and follows an alternate taper line 143 from that point of intersection to the outer edge 151 of the side rail top surface at a point located at the chamfer length 146 along the side rail. This alternate taper line does not extend along the inner edge of the side rail top surface.

(18) In another embodiment (FIG. 7), the taper line 145 starts at the intersection between the side rail and the tip rail and parallels the top surface inner edge 152 for an initial distance 165. The taper line then extends at an angle to the inner edge to intersect the top surface outer edge 151 at a point located at the chamfer length 146 along the side rail. While running parallel to the inner edge 152, the taper line 145 is spaced from the inner edge by a given taper line spacing 156. In one embodiment, the taper line spacing is less than or equal to about 1 mm. For each illustrated chamfer embodiment, the outer edge 151 of the side rail top surface is removed along the chamfer length. The chamfer intersects the outer surface 114 of the mouthpiece along the chamfer length. The intersection between the chamfer and the outer surface defines the line of intersection 161 running along the chamfer length. This line of intersection is spaced from the bottom surface of the reed. In addition, as the outer surface of the mouthpiece is rounded or curved, the line of intersection will also follow a curvature corresponding to the contours of the outer surface of the mouthpiece.

(19) The chamfer has been illustrated with respect to the clarinet style single reed mouthpiece, which is used in conjunction with the barrel. However, the chamfer can be included in any type of single reed mouthpiece in which the reed covers a window to a tone chamber. Referring now to FIG. 8, an exemplary embodiment of a saxophone style mouthpiece 800 having a rectangular tone chamber and a modified side rail top surface and tip rail in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece has a typically elongated or barrel shape that tapers to either end. On a bottom side 812 of the mouthpiece is an elongated window 810 having a generally rectangular shape. The window may be tapered or narrowed at one end or the other. In addition, one end of the window can include a bow or arch to match or compliment the curvature of the end of the reed. The side of the mouthpiece containing the window is considered the bottom side, because that side typically faces down or is on the bottom of the mouthpiece when the mouthpiece is attached to a musical instrument. For purposes of the present description, the mouthpiece is viewed from the bottom.

(20) The window 810 exposes a tone chamber 814 within the mouthpiece. In one embodiment, the tone chamber has a rectangular cross section when view across the side rails of the mouthpiece. The tone chamber is in communication with a central bore 802 passing through the mouthpiece. The central bore is arranged to attach to the woodwind instrument, i.e., the saxophone. In one embodiment, the central bore meets the tone chamber at one end of the window, i.e., the central bore does not extend into the portion of the mouthpiece exposed by the widow. Alternatively, the central bore extends into the portion of the mouthpiece exposed by the window.

(21) In general, the mouthpiece includes a tapered, reduced rear portion that is adapted to fit to the woodwind instrument in a conventional manner. The central bore has a length necessary to telescopically receive a neckpiece of the woodwind instrument. In one embodiment, the central bore is cylindrical. A table 808 is disposed at one end of the window. The table is a flat surface on the bottom side of the mouthpiece and is situated to engage a portion of a reed adjacent the heel end of the reed. This flat surface is the top 816 of the table, and the top engages the portion of the reed adjacent the heel end of the reed. The ligature securing the reed to the mouthpiece surrounds the mouthpiece around the table region of the mouthpiece. In one embodiment, the table has an overall length of about 1.9375 to about 2.

(22) The mouthpiece also includes a pair of side rails 818 running along opposite sides of the window 810. Each side rail 818 frames one side of the window 810. The side rails 818 extend from the table 808. In one embodiment, the side rails extend perpendicularly from the table. Alternatively, the side rails flare outwards as they extend from the table. The side rails are parallel in that the side rails do not cross or intersect in the region of the window. Each side rail includes a side rail top surface 820 running along the length of the side rail. The top surface of each side rail contacts a portion of the reed. In one embodiment, each side rail has a length of about 2 to about 2.125, and each side rail top surface has a width 845 of about 0.0625 to about 0.125 . In one embodiment, the width of each side rail top surface varies from about 0.125 at the table to about 0.0625 at the other end of the side rail. These dimensions are also suitable for the clarinet style mouthpiece embodiments. In one embodiment, each side rail top surface is coplanar with the table top. Alternatively, each side rail top surface is coplanar with the table top at the point of intersection of the side rail with the table top and subsequently curves away from the plane of the table top in the direction of the top side of the mouthpiece. The top side of the mouthpiece is opposite the bottom side 812. This curvature provides for separation between the reed and the side rail top surfaces at an end of the reed opposite the heel end. This separation occurs, for example, when the reed is attached to the mouthpiece and is not vibrating. Vibration of the reed causes the reed to come into contact with the side rail top surfaces along the entire length of the top rails. The reed in combination with the window acts as a valve for the tone chamber.

(23) The mouthpiece also includes a tip rail 822. The tip rail extends between the side rails at an end of the window opposite the table. In one embodiment, the tip rail extends along a generally straight line between the side rails. Preferably, the tip rail follows an outward arc between the side rails. The tip rail is in contact with the reed when the reed vibrates to close the window in the tone chamber. In one embodiment, the tip rail spans a distance between the side rails of from about 0.625 inches to about 0.75 inches. The shape of the tip rail can be the same as the shape of the tip of the reed or can be an arc having a different curvature than the tip of the reed. The tip rail includes a tip rail top surface 124. In one embodiment, the tip rail has a flat top surface. The tip rail top surface is the portion of the tip rail that comes onto contact with the reed. In one embodiment, the tip rail top surface has a width of up to about 0.0625 inches. In one embodiment, the tip rail top surface is coplanar with the side rail top surfaces at the points of intersection between the side rails and the tip rail.

(24) Each side rail includes a chamfer 840. Therefore, the mouthpiece includes a pair of chamfers. The chamfer intersects the top surface of the side rail and the outer surface of the mouthpiece. Suitable arrangements and embodiments for the chamfer are discussed herein. In one embodiment, each chamfer extends a chamfer length 846 along only a portion of the overall length of each side rail. In one embodiment, the chamfer length is less than about 1 inch, preferably less than about 0.75 inches. The chamfer intersects the top surface of the side rail at any point from the inner edge 852 of the top rail to the outer edge 851 of the top rail at the outer surface of the mouthpiece. In one embodiment, the chamfer extends along the inner edge and then follows a taper line 842 to the outer surface of the mouthpiece. In one embodiment, once the taper line intersects the outer edge, the top surface of the side rail is flat from that point until the table. In one embodiment, the chamfer begins at the point of intersection of the side rail and the tip rail and extends from that point along the side rail the chamfer length. In one embodiment, the chamfer is spaced from the tip rail.

(25) The chamfer extends at least partially along the top surface of each side rail, from the tip rail toward the table. The portions of the side rail top surface that are not rounded are substantially flat. In one embodiment, each rounded portion of the side rail top surface extends from a point of intersection of that side rail with the tip rail partially along the side rail top surface toward the table. The amount of side rail top surface in contact with the reed is reduced. During the negative pressure portion of the oscillatory cycle of the reed, when the reed is being drawn towards closure, i.e., into contact with the side rail top surfaces, the rounded surfaces effect a venturi, reducing airflow turbulence and resulting in a more liquid, less gritty tonal quality. In addition, an improvement in response, intonation, and tonal size is produced.

(26) The present invention is also directed to methods for making or creating a woodwind mouthpiece that takes advantage of the gap provided at the aperture between the reed and the tone chamber. A tone chamber is formed in the mouthpiece in communication with the central bore. This tone chamber includes a bottom surface and a pair of opposing interior surfaces extending from the bottom surface. A window is formed in the mouthpiece in communication with the tone chamber. This window exposes the tone chamber. In one embodiment, a chamfer is formed to run along a portion of the length of each one of the side rails. Each chamfer intersects the side rail top surface and an outer surface of the mouthpiece.

(27) While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of the invention disclosed herein fulfill the objectives of the present invention, it is appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. Additionally, feature(s) and/or element(s) from any embodiment may be used singly or in combination with other embodiment(s) and steps or elements from methods in accordance with the present invention can be executed or performed in any suitable order. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments, which would come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.