Patent ID: 6512168
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: G10D

Abstract:
A fingerboard for use on a stringed musical instrument having at least one string thereon, wherein the stringed musical instrument has a body, a bridge located on the body, and a head spaced apart from the body, wherein the fingerboard has an upper surface which extends between the body and the head, and wherein a string extends between the head and the body over the bridge comprising:a plurality of transverse grooves, each groove having a body-side margin thereof coincident with the upper surface of the fingerboard; a plurality of islands, wherein each groove is located between adjacent islands; wherein a user depresses a string, thereby forming a stop point, on either of an island or on a groove body-side margin; and wherein said grooves are spaced-apart from one another such that: when a stop point is formed on a groove body-side margin and a string caused to vibrate, a scalar note of a tonal scale is sounded; and when a stop point is formed on an island and a string caused to vibrate, a non-scalar note is sounded.