Guitar hand placement guide and support bar

A guitar hand placement guide and support bar that attaches to the upper surface of the body of a guitar with one or more suction cups. An upper platform portion in contact with lower, round portion of the palm of the hand supports the weight of the hand. The guitar hand placement guide and support bar has legs that straddle the strings at a location adjacent the sound hole of the guitar such that every time the guitar is being played, the pick and strum hand can be consistently positioned above the sound hole in precisely the same place. A dogleg extension and one or more internal finger grip portions located along the lower edge of the platform portion extending between the leading edge and the rear-facing edge provide the player with optional methods of use.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method and apparatus for guiding, positioning and supporting the pick and strum hand over the strings of a guitar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The guitar is a stringed musical instrument with a fretted fingerboard, typically incurved sides, and six or twelve strings, played by plucking or strumming with the fingers or a plectrum (pick). Guitars are generally either electric or acoustic. There are three main types of modern acoustic guitar: the classical guitar (nylon-string guitar), the steel-string acoustic guitar, and the archtop guitar. The acoustic guitar generally consists of a hollow body with incurved sides, a fretboard extending to one side with a head at the top. Strings are in tension above a series of individual frets located along the fretboard and extend from the head to the bridge.

The tone of an acoustic guitar is produced by the strings' vibration, amplified by the body of the guitar, which acts as a resonating chamber. The classical guitar is often played as a solo instrument using a comprehensive finger-picking technique. The term “finger-picking” can also refer to a specific tradition of folk, blues, bluegrass, and country guitar playing in the United States.

Electric guitars, introduced in the 1930s, use an amplifier that can electronically manipulate and shape the tone. Early amplified guitars employed a hollow body, but a solid body was eventually found more suitable, as it was less prone to feedback.

Generally, the strings of the guitar are plucked or strummed with the fingers of the right hand while the fingers of the left hand are placed in patterns on top of the frets to change the key of the string being played. A chord is played by placing the fingers of the left hand in a pattern on the frets while the strings are strummed with the fingers of the right hand. Alternatively, individual strings can be picked by the fingers of the right hand while the note is selected by placement of the fingers of the left hand over the appropriate fret or frets.

One of the problems that learners face is control of placement of the right hand and fingers during picking and strumming. Often players will post or place the small finger or combination of ring finger and small finger on the pick guard near the sound hole to support or brace the right hand in a stable position while its fingers pick or strum the strings. This solution is less than satisfactory for the following reasons: First of all, there is no specific location to place the right-hand fingers of the player since the pick guard covers a fairly large area. Second, since the soundboard of the body is below the height of the strings stretched above the sound hole, the fingers must stretch to be placed on the pick guard leaving little clearance for the other fingers to strum or pick or use a plectrum as desired. For a student learning to play the guitar, this stretch is difficult. Most importantly, it is not possible to support or brace the palm of the right hand while playing a guitar since it would interfere with resonance of the strings. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a pick and strum guide bar that would guide the fingers into a proper location, braced above the strings, with the ability to also support the palm of the right hand while playing.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,927,930 is a stringed instrument hand rest that is nothing more than a single loop of material that supports the hand from the outside. However, this device doesn't provide a deck for supporting the small finger or ring finger and small finger while picking or strumming. Furthermore, there is no portion that sits above the strings to support the hand from below and prevent interference of the hand with the strings.

U.S. Pat. No. D381356 is a guitar hand rest. However, there are no means for attaching the pedestal to the top of the body of the guitar. Also, there are no feet that provide an accurate, easy and precise way to position the hand rest above the strings. Finally, there is no gooseneck, opening, aperture or other structural means for accurately positioning and bracing the small finger or 4thand 5thfingers while picking or strumming the strings with the other 3 or 4 fingers.

Finally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,299,327 and 9,240,168 both teach a stringed musical instrument hand support apparatus. However, these devices use strings or cords with hooks at the ends to secure the hand support apparatus between the sound hole or other opening in the body of the musical instrument and the end of the guitar opposite the head and neck. There is no way to guarantee accurate, precise placement each time the device is used. Also, the hand rest has simple pedestals that rest on the top of the soundboard and can be positioned essentially anywhere above the strings without limitation, thus providing no guidance to the novice guitar player on how to position the hand rest.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The present invention is a unique apparatus for supporting the wrist and positioning of bracing fingers while picking and strumming a guitar.

The present invention has feet that attach securely yet temporarily to the top of the soundboard without compromise to the integrity of the soundboard. Leg ends that extend from one end fit in place adjacent the bridge centered over the strings.

Another embodiment of the present invention has a foot that extends through the sound hole with a groove extending along one end that fits securely over the soundboard along the periphery of the hole in the soundboard, thereby maintaining the pick and strum bar centered above the strings.

To make the invention suitable to guitars in which the upper surface of the soundboard of the body of the guitar is textured or otherwise not smooth and suitable for use with suction cups to hold the pick and strum bar to the guitar, the present invention is also an accessory that slides between the strings and the upper face of the soundboard at a position between the sound hole and the bridge of the guitar, with straps that fasten around the back of the guitar at a position roughly midpoint the incurved sides. The suction cups of the pick and strum bar can adhere securely to the accessory and thus hold the pick and strum bar in place centered above the strings.

An advantage of the present invention is that it permits the upper extremity to stabilize itself from the shoulder to the fingers. The arm can relax yet remain in a fixed position without muscular tension.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides optimal positioning for single string play or “picking”. The arm in a comfortable and stable position the fingers may be used to reach the individual strings to sound a specific tone.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a 1-2 finger station or home base position. The semi-circular cut-outs at the bottom of the platform permit 1-2 fingers to remain fixed to hold the hand in position for optimal play and use. The thumb, middle finger and index finger are free to extend and contract, and thereby contact the individual strings for specific play.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the smooth flat surface of the bar allows the thenar eminance to slide across the top and deliver exact placement of the thumb to get very consistent sounds from the strings. A very easy and repeatable sound is gained by the beginner which is encouraging for early players.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides optimal position in multi-string play or “strumming”. The forearm and hand is best positioned to provide consistent strumming with either a pick or the thumb giving the best depth of pick or thumb “into the strings” the wrists platform allows the hand to “roll” up and down with a pick at a consistent depth into the strings.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides accurate finger and hand positioning. Using the two finger “cut-outs” and wrist platform to precisely place the fingers and hand/wrist in the exactly same place after hand play without the platform.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the “thenar eminence”, or the fleshy round part of the palm below the thumb is allowed to brush against, slide and be supported by the platform. The thenar eminence serves as a guide for the upper thumb and its meeting with the various strings. There is the ability to finesse the end of the thumb to lightly hit just the high, mid or low sounding strings for an accurate strum of the chords.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the bar or platform portion will fit the majority of current popular, newer flat-top acoustic guitars. This would include guitars with about 3½″ to 4″ diameter sound holes, and either with pick-guards or any size or shape or without.

Benefits and features of the invention are made more apparent with the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment thereof in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are applied to like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The description that follows is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but the invention is to be given the largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and features described herein.

FIG. 1Ais an upper, rear view of an embodiment of the pick and strum guide bar100of the present invention adapted particularly for use on an acoustic guitar.FIG. 1Bis a lower, rear view of the pick and strum guide bar100shown inFIG. 1A. In this embodiment, the platform portion102is slightly curved on both the leading edge104and the rear edge106to correspond with the curvature of the sound hole on an acoustic guitar (not shown). The platform portion102is raised above the strings with two support legs108. The upper surface103of the platform portion102is smooth or textured, as desired. Gripping suction cups110that grip the top of the sound board of the guitar (not shown) are attached to the support legs108with small screws112, adhesive or other attaching means.

At the rear edge106of the pick and strum guide bar100, leg ends120extend from the legs108to adjacent the bridge of the guitar. In addition, flat ends124align the guide bar100flush with the bridge and centered adjacent the sound hole over the strings of the guitar (not shown). The leg ends120have a stepped portion130which decreases the thickness of the leg portions120and thus decrease weight and profile of the guide bar100of the present invention.

At one side of the guide bar100, extending dogleg portion140and inner grooves142provide an ergonomic stabilization of the player's hand (not shown) while picking or strumming the guitar (not shown).

FIG. 2Ais an upper, rear view of an embodiment of the pick and strum guide bar200of the present invention adapted particularly for use on an electric guitar.FIG. 2Bis a lower, rear view of the pick and strum guide bar200shown inFIG. 2A. In this embodiment, the platform portion202is flat on both the leading edge204and the rear edge206. The platform portion202is raised above the strings with two support legs208. The upper surface203of the platform portion202is smooth or textured, as desired. Gripping suction cups110that grip the top of the electric guitar (not shown) are attached to the support legs208with small screws, adhesive or other attaching means. At one side of the guide bar200, extending dogleg portion140and inner grooves142provide an ergonomic stabilization of the player's hand (not shown) while picking or strumming the guitar (not shown). The compact design of the guide bar200is made to fit between electrical pickups mounted on the body of the electric guitar.

FIG. 3Ais an upper, rear view of another embodiment of the pick and strum guide bar300of the present invention adapted particularly for use on an acoustic guitar.FIG. 3Bis a lower, rear view of the pick and strum guide bar300shown inFIG. 3A. In this embodiment, the platform portion102is slightly curved on both the leading edge104and the rear edge106to correspond with the curvature of the sound hole on an acoustic guitar (not shown). The platform portion102is raised above the strings with two support legs308. The upper surface103of the platform portion102is smooth or textured, as desired. Gripping suction cups110that grip the top of the sound board of the guitar (not shown) are attached to the support legs308with small screws112, adhesive or other attaching means.

At the side of the rear edge106of the pick and strum guide bar300, extensions320extend forward from the legs308. In addition, leg ends320pass through the sound hole in the top sound board of the guitar (not shown). Grooves330are cut into the leg ends320on one side only at an angle such as at an angle of 45° or more or less. Thus, when the leg ends320are placed through the sound hole of the guitar and the guide bar300is shifted toward the bottom end of the guitar, the grooves330engage with the sound board so the player can accurately align the guide bar300centered adjacent the sound hole over the strings of the guitar (not shown). As in the prior embodiments, one side of the guide bar300comprises extending dogleg portion140and inner grooves142that provide an ergonomic stabilization of the player's hand (not shown) while picking or strumming the guitar (not shown).

FIG. 4Ais side view of an embodiment of the pick and strum guide bar400of the present invention.FIG. 4Bis side view of another embodiment of the pick and strum guide bar400of the present invention. Upper platform portion402has both a leading edge404and a trailing edge406. The upper surface403of the platform portion402is smooth or textured, as desired. Suction cups110or other attachment means are attached to the bottoms409of the supporting legs408.

In general, if the top of the soundboard of the guitar is relatively flat, the configuration shown inFIG. 4Awill work fine. However, in certain instances, the top of the soundboard is arched or curved, and thus the bottom surface105(as best shown inFIG. 1B) of the platform portion102may bear down and inadvertently touch the strings. In this situation, adding spacers410will increase the height of the platform portion102above the strings for increased, appropriate clearance between the lower surface105of the platform portion102and the strings. It will be understood that one or more spacers410can be stacked to increase the clearance or effective height of the legs portions108and408.

FIG. 5Ais an upper orthogonal view of an embodiment of an auxiliary mounting accessory500for the pick and strum guide bar400of the present invention.FIG. 5Bis a lower orthogonal view of the auxiliary mounting accessory500shown inFIG. 5A. It will be understood that in order for the acoustic guitar guide bar100and the electric guitar guide bar200and other embodiments of the guide bar shown herein to be attached removably to the top surface of the sound board of a guitar with a series of suction cups110coupled to the legs portions108and208, respectively, the top surface of the guitar must be relatively smooth. Unfortunately, in many instances, the top surface of a guitar might not be a sooth, flat varnished surface and instead be unfinished, non-flat, textured, painted or other surface that a suction cup110will not stick to or will not stick to properly. In this case, it is desirable to use an auxiliary mounting device500to fit underneath the strings between the guitar and the guide bar100.

A center section502has opposing, angled flat arms504. The arms504can be straight and angled or curved. The result is the elastic or inelastic strap portions510that couple to the distal ends506of the arms504can be wrapped around either of the incurved sides of the guitar (not shown) leaving the center section502positioned between the sound hole and the bridge of the guitar. Thus, the center section502of the auxiliary mounting accessory500does not cover any portion of the sound hole.

The leading edge512of the auxiliary mounting accessory500has a foot portion514has a flange516that extends a short distance underneath the center section502. When the auxiliary mounting device500is installed, the mounting accessory is slipped between the strings and the top of the soundboard and the flange516is placed inside the sound hole of the guitar and shifted backward. Thus, \the foot512of the center section502is positioned flush with and in contact with the periphery of the sound hole with the flange516and the lower surface518of the center section502securing the auxiliary mounting device500inside the peripheral edge of the sound hole.

FIG. 5Cis an upper orthogonal view of the auxiliary mounting accessory500shown in FIG. A with an embodiment of the pick and strum bar400of the present invention mounted thereon. It will be understood that once the auxiliary mounting device500is secured in place with the flange516placed along the peripheral edge of the sound hole and the mounting straps510coupled together with Velcro-brand hook and loop material530or other attachment means including but not limited to hooks and eyes, snaps, buttons, etc. The suction cup connectors110firmly grip the smooth upper surface505of the side arms504

FIG. 6Ais an upper orthogonal view of an acoustic guitar600with the pick and strum bar100shown inFIGS. 1A and 1Bmounted thereon. As described above, the base portions124of the leg ends120of the strum bar100abut the bridge602of the acoustic guitar600and straddle the strings610. The upper platform102is above the strings610. Suction cups110attach to the top surface612of the acoustic guitar600, and along with the leg ends120of the strum bar100abutting the bridge602of the acoustic guitar600, prevent the strum bar100from shifting or sliding across the top612of the guitar when the acoustic guitar600is being played.

FIG. 6Bis an upper orthogonal view of an acoustic guitar600with the auxiliary mounting accessory500shown inFIGS. 5A-5Band a pick and strum bar400of the present invention mounted thereon. The straps510of the accessory500encircle the acoustic guitar600at the incurved sides620and couple behind the guitar (not shown). The suction cup connections110firmly attach the strum bar400to the upper surfaces505of the side arms504.

FIG. 6Cis an upper orthogonal view of an acoustic guitar600with the pick and strum bar300shown inFIGS. 3A and 3Bmounted thereon. As described above, the forward extensions320from legs portions308drop through the sound hole630and when shifted toward the bridge602of the acoustic guitar600the integral grooves330clip onto the edge635of the sound hole630. In combination with the suction cups110that attach to the top surface612of the acoustic guitar600, the grooves330clipped onto the edge635of the sound hole630keep the strum bar300from shifting or sliding on the top612of the acoustic guitar600when the acoustic guitar600is being played.

FIG. 6Dis an upper orthogonal view of an electric guitar650with the pick and strum bar200shown inFIGS. 2A and 2Bmounted thereon. As described above, the legs208of the strum bar200straddle the strings610of the electric guitar650and straddle the strings610. The upper platform202is above the strings610. Suction cups110attach to the top surface652of the electric guitar650, and prevent the strum bar200from shifting or sliding across the top652of the electric guitar650when the electric guitar650is being played. In addition, the rectangular shape of the upper platform202and compact design of the guide bar200makes it easy to align and center the guide bar200adjacent the bridge602and/or one or more electronic pickups660.

FIG. 7is an upper orthogonal view of a method of use of an acoustic guitar600with the pick and strum bar100shown inFIGS. 1A and 1Bmounted thereon. As described above, the hand700of the guitar player can rest with the palm of the hand (not shown) in contact with the upper surface103of the top platform102. This permits the player to accurately place the hand700used to pick and/or strum the guitar600in the same place each time the player uses the guitar600.

Optionally, the player can extend or slip either one or two fingers702into the ergonomic finger grips142. The player can either brace the fingers702inside the grooved finger grips142on the top platform portion102or extend the fingers702all the way through to the top surface612of the acoustic guitar600. The dogleg portion140of the top platform102provides the player with a place for a consistent placement of the pick and strum hand700and fingers702while playing the guitar600.

Location. Static. Arm and Hand Locating. Use of the guide bar100of the present invention will provide the hand and arm a place and means to center the extremity at the exact same point at which the hand/arm can do it's best work.

Arm and Hand Stabilizing. The present invention allows the properly placed extremity to be set and remain so while doing work.

Thumb and Fingers Pre-Dynamic Placement. Position/Reposition Dynamic. The thumb and index and middle finger work to make the music.

The First Position is resting the pinky or little finger702in the first finger cut-out grip142, thus allowing the rest of the hand700to work either a pick or the thumb and/or index finger and ring finger and middle finger. The Second Position is resting the ring and little fingers702in both cut-outs142. This position has mixed qualities: Greatest stability to work the other fingers and thumb and greater limitation with two fingers locked up.

Open access to dual cut-outs142, the fingers can be quickly freed for a more free and easy play: Break-Out, the hand700exits the set points of the cut-outs142for free and open play; Break-In moving the hand into the confines of the cut-outs142for greatest stability for small string play, or multi-string chord play.

Repetitive exact play produces a strong muscle-memory of precise placement of fingers and thumb for the exact notes. Extensive use of the bar100may render the player more capable of playing without it, but also allows the use of the bar100when it is desired or preferable.

Palm-muting is possible using the bar100. Using the right hand to mute the sound just made. To accomplish this with the guide bar100, the player just mutes the strings610above the platform portion102.

While the use of either a pick or fingers702to make sound with force, precision and speed, it is the guide bar100that provides the exact placement to allow the sound in two dimensions: Across the six string610up and down, or deep or shallow into the strings610.

The steps or phases to play guitar can be summarized as follows: 1. Ready—move the arm and hand700to an exact place to begin play—palm on the flat upper surface103of the bar100, and finger(s)702into the 1 or 2 finger cut-outs142. 2. Set—move the arm and hand situated in the best position to play, visualizing or deciding on the next step. Then, 3. Go—begin to play, moving the arm and hand and fingers playing (a) picking notes, and (b) strumming chords. It will be understood that the three steps can all occur very quickly, such in 1 second or less.

Pick or strum play is possible. The thumb can be used to great effect with both the up and down picking of separate strings or brushing several strings for a pleasant chord effect. The former technique is called the“Thenar Eminance Thumb Stroke”, the latter the “Thenar Eminance Slide Technique.”

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications and patent documents referenced in the present invention are incorporated herein by reference.

While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, with the limits only of the true purview, spirit and scope of the invention.