US3599526A

US3599526A - {37 easy find{38 {0 embouchure attachment to flute or piccolo and like instruments

Info

Publication number: US3599526A
Application number: US3327A
Authority: US
Inventors: Vito Sollecito; Thomas Cavolina
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-01-16
Filing date: 1970-01-16
Publication date: 1971-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 1988-08-17

Abstract

A device which can be permanently or detachably secured to any flutelike wind instrument having an open embouchure hole which enables a user to automatically find the proper placement of embouchure relative to lower lip placement and blowing angle.

Description

United States Patent Vito Sollecito 2316 Cambreleng Ave., Bronx, N.Y. 1 0458;

Thomas Cavolina, 1548 Kennelworth Place, Bronx, NY. 10465 Appl. No. 3,327

Filed Jan. 16, 1970 Patented Aug. 17, 1971 Inventors EASY FIND EMBOUCHURE ATTACHMENT T0 FLUTE 0R PICCOLO AND LIKE INSTRUMENTS 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

84/453 1m. (:1 G10d 9/00 FieldofSearch 84/384 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 801,086 10/1905 Jenks 84/384 2,637,239 5/1953 Swanson 84/384 FOREIGN PATENTS 666,602 2/1952 GreatBritain 84/384 Primary Examiner- Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Lawrence R. Franklin Attorney-Ward, McElhannon, Brooks and Fitzpatrick ABSTRACT: A device which can be permanently or detachably secured to any flutelike wind instrument having an open embouchure hole which enables a user to automatically find the proper placement of embouchure relative to lower lip placement and blowing angle.

EASY FIND EMBOUCHURE ATTACHMENT TO FLUTE OR PICCOLO AND LIKE INSTRUMENTS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Our invention is directed toward a device which we call an Easy Find embouchure device adapted for permanent or detachable mounting and use on flutes and like instruments of the flute family, such as: Alto flutes, piccolos, fifes, etc., that is wind instruments utilizing an open embouchure hole, with or without embouchure plate. The purpose of this new device which the coinventors choose to call EASY-FIND" embouchure attachment, is to automatically find the proper placement ofembouchure relative to lower lip placement, and blowing angle. The step formed by the device raises the blowing angle of the air column striking the embouchure edge. Also, the device is designed to prevent or diminish the slippage or movement of the lower lip edge, so important to proper embouchure placement. The correct, and surefooted" way in which the lower lip edge can be maintained constantly in place is a major contributing factor to better, and easier tonal production.

The use ofthe described device results in the following:

a. Better tonal production, with greater sonority and intensity over the whole range of the flute and piccolo.

b. A more even production of sonority and volume in all octaves.

c. Third octave notes better controlled in the piano."

d. such problem notes as C and C-sharp, second and third octave, E and E-Flat second and third octaves are more easily played in tune.

e. First octave response improveddown to low C.

f. Playing techniques such as staccato and double tonguing are facilitated, eliminating or greatly diminishing the hissing and sputtering common in all but the most accomplished artists.

The EASY-FIND embouchure attachment insures cor rect positioning of the mouth piece or embouchure so that the performer can produce a good tone every time, without thinking or fussing in trying to find proper lower lip placement. The device herein described will be applicable to:

a. The beginnerthe beginner is easily and very often discouraged because of the difficulties in producing tones on instruments of the flute and like instrument family. He now can be quickly encouraged in his study of flute or piccolo in that the device described will greatly aid him in the proper placement of the embouchure, and insure proper placement even in very early stages of study.

b. the musician that doubles on flute and or piccolo will feel secure in that he will get good tone production from the flute or piccolo after having just played clarinet, saxophone, oboe, or any other instrument of a radically different embouchure formation. The uneasiness of the man doubling on flute will be dispelled with the instrument equipped with the device herein described.

c. The experienced player-from amateur to accomplished artists, will also benefit, and for the same reasons described previously:

1. Securing of embouchure placement, less slippage or rolling, playing in tune.

2. Production of a greater sonority and volume with better control of upper register.

3. Easier and more precise production of the staccato and double tonguing techniques.

The Easy-Find" embouchure is designed to allow the player of the new school" to take advantage of the very minimal pressure used against lower lip edge and chin by the instrument equipped with this device. This is accomplished easily and naturally because of the steady and precise support of the finder" on the lower lip edge and hollow of the chin.

The early beneficiary of the Easy-Find" embouchure is the beginning student, whose tendency is to shake or tremble at the lower lip and chin, greatly adding to the problem of finding consistent tonal placement. The support and positioning of the described device will greatly help and encourage the beginner in his progress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of our attachment and a flute;

FIG. 2 is a side view partially in cross section showing our invention in use;

FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of our attachment in position on a flute;

FIG. 4 is a top view ofour attachment per se; and

FIG. Sis a side view of our attachment per se.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The device is to be manufactured in a way to universally fit all flutes, piccolos and like instruments, by clamping on to the tubular head joint, and where front edge of the device will meet at some adjustable distance from the front edge of the embouchure hole.

The attachment will be so constructed as to fit instruments with or without embouchure plates.

The device, in length the size of the embouchure plate or larger will in its inside diameter be approximately the same as the outside diameter ofthe tubular head joint.

The device, by design will securely clamp on to head joint over the embouchure plate, if any, so that a step is created for the lower lip edge to sense or feel.

Creating this step conditions the lower lip edge to automatically seek this spot which the player learns to be the correct embouchure placement.

The clamped-on attachment is to be allowed to rotate a fraction of an inch to and from the forward embouchure hole edge. This feature will allow the individual player to set the device with great precision,

The device as an attachment can also be designed as an integral part of the flute, piccolo or like instrument head joint.

The attachment to be manufactured of suitable materials such as metal, metal alloys, or plastics and will appear as unobtrusive as possible so as not to markedly change the appearance of the instrument.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a tubular head portion of a flute 10 has an open embouchure hole 12 surrounded by an embouchure plate 14. Detachably secured to the flute by clamps 16 is a step member 18 having a cut out portion with a periphery 20 overlying the plate adjacent the hole. As best seen in FIG. 3, the step member is U-shaped and partially surrounds the embouchure hole 12. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the surface or periphery 20 of the step member extends from the tubular head portion upwardly and outwardly with respect to the embouchure hole 12 for positioning engagement with a substantial portion of the lower lip of a player as seen in FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, aid surface is spaced a preselected distance from the embouchure hole 1 to control the players blowing angle with respect to the embouchure hole. As seen in FIG. 1, the clamps 16 are snap clamps so that the step member 18 may be rotated with respect to the tubui. head portion 10 for adjusting the distance between said surface and the embouchure hole 12 to suit an individual player.

While we have described our inven ion with particular reference to the drawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

We claim:

1. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument including a tubular head portion having an embouchure hole, said embouchure comprising a U-shaped step partially surrounding said embouchure hole, said step having a surface extending from said tubular head portion upwardly and outwardly with respect to said embouchure hole for positioning engagement with a substantial portion of the lower lip of a player, said surface being spaced a preselected distance from said embouchurc hole to control the players blowing angle with v respect to the embouchure hole.

2. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument according to claim 1 further comprising means for rotating said U- shaped step with respect to said tubular head portion for adjusting said preselected distance between said surface and said embouchure hole to suit an individual player.

3. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument according to claim 1 further comprising means for removably securing said U-shaped step to said tubular head portion.

4. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument according to claim 3 wherein said means for removably securing said

Claims

1. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument including a tubular head portion haVing an embouchure hole, said embouchure comprising a U-shaped step partially surrounding said embouchure hole, said step having a surface extending from said tubular head portion upwardly and outwardly with respect to said embouchure hole for positioning engagement with a substantial portion of the lower lip of a player, said surface being spaced a preselected distance from said embouchure hole to control the player''s blowing angle with respect to the embouchure hole.

2. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument according to claim 1 further comprising means for rotating said U-shaped step with respect to said tubular head portion for adjusting said preselected distance between said surface and said embouchure hole to suit an individual player.

4. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument according to claim 3 wherein said means for removably securing said U-shaped step comprises a pair of spaced clamps extending from opposite ends of said step.

5. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument according to claim 1 further comprising an embouchure plate surrounding said embouchure hole, and wherein said U-shaped step overlies said embouchure plate.

6. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument according to claim 5 further comprising a pair of spaced clamps for removably, adjustably securing said U-shaped step to said tubular head portion, said clamps being outwardly disposed with respect to said embouchure plate.