Percussion instrument

A pitched percussion idiophone instrument comprising first and second support members (12, 14) which interconnected, a plurality of hollow tubes (20), the tubes being parallel and having a pair of apertures (26, 28) towards each end (22, 24), first and second strings (34, 36) extending through the apertures (26, 28), pins (30) located on each of the first and second support members (12, 14) intermediate the hollow tubes (20) such that the strings (34, 36) are supported by pins (30), the arrangement being such that the hollow tubes (20) are suspended above said support members (12, 14) by the first and second strings (34, 36).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a musical instrument and more particularly, relates to a pitched percussion idiophone that can be sub-classified both as a directly struck idiophone and as a friction idiophone. An example of a directly struck percussion idiophone is the xylophone. An example of a friction idiophone is the glass harmonica. Another example of a friction idiophone is the verrophone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Xylophones are believed to have originated around 2000 BC in China. Xylophones as we know them today first appeared in Eastern Asia around the ninth century and by the sixteenth century, they had reached Europe. They are known as a wooden percussion instrument. The use of the xylophone has evolved and they are used regularly in the percussion section of orchestras.

The glass harmonica is a type of musical instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761. It uses a series of glass bowls or goblets graduated in size to produce musical tones by means of friction. The phenomenon of rubbing a wet finger around the rim of a wine goblet to produce tones is documented back to Renaissance times. An instrument composed of glass vessels where one rubs the fingers around the rims dates back to the 1740's. Franklin's glass harmonica was reinvented by master glassblower and musician, Gerhard B. Finkenbeiner in 1984. Finkenbeiner Inc., of Waltham, Mass., continues to produce these instruments commercially and they are currently being used by a large number of contemporary musicians.

A verrophone is a musical instrument, invented in 1983 by Sascha Reckert, in which open-ended glass tubes are arranged in various sizes (usually in a chromatic scale, arranged from large to small, like the pipes of a pipe organ). The sound is made by rubbing one end of one or more of the glass tubes. The tubes are closer together so that chords can be played by rubbing more than one at the same time. The instrument carries more acoustical volume than the glass harmonica and other glass instruments and generally has a range from G3-C6.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel musical instrument of the pitched percussion idiophone type.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a percussion instrument comprising first and second support members, the first and second support members being interconnected, a plurality of hollow tubes, all of the tubes being parallel, all of the tubes having a pair of apertures at each end, first and second strings, the first string extending through the apertures at first ends of the tubes, the second string extending through the apertures at second ends of the tubes, and pins located on each of the first and second support members intermediate the hollow tubes, the first and second strings being supported by the pins, the arrangement being such that the hollow tubes are held above the support members by the first and second strings.

It will be understood that while reference is made to a pair of support members, this will include a frame which is unitary in nature such as a U-shaped member.

The pitched percussion idiophone instrument of the present invention, as stated above, includes at least one and preferably a plurality of hollow tubes which are designed to be struck by mallet or baton. The vibrations of the hollow tube produce the unique sound, due to the manner in which they are suspended under tension by the pins and the strings. Smaller versions of the invention can be composed of one tube only. Larger versions of the invention can be composed of many tubes with at least a two and a half octave range, for example from F3 to Bb5 and can be precisely tuned pitches. The hollow tube may be formed of many different materials and such materials are well known in the art.

For the present invention, a preferred material is quartz which is silicon dioxide or silica.

The strings used to suspend and interconnect the tubes also can be formed of different materials. Preferably, the strings are relatively thin and may be formed of a plastic string type arrangement.

The tubes are suspended above the support members by a series of pins, the pins being located on each side of the hollow tube at opposite ends. The pins may conveniently have apertures to receive the strings—in other words, the strings will pass through the two apertures in the end of a tube and then through the pin. The pins are preferably of a height so as to be located below the top of the tubes so as to not interfere with the playing of the instrument

The pins are located on the frame members while the apertures within the hollow tube are arranged such that they are slightly interiorly of the support member. The arrangement is preferably such that the string as it enters the pin member and exits therefrom forms an angle of between 30° and 110°. More preferably, the strings form an angle of between 80° and 90°, which prevents the tubes from sliding towards the pins and allows the tubes to vibrate up and down, thus producing a unique sound. The apertures may also be located outwardly of the support member.

The instrument also preferably includes one or more devices for tensioning the strings to a desired level. Conveniently, one or more guitar keys can be utilized. While each string could have one guitar key which would serve to tension the strings, it is preferred that two such guitar keys be utilized, one at each end. Naturally, it will be understood that any device which tensions the string could be utilized.

The instrument may be played using a mallet(s) and striker(s) or alternatively, may be played using finger tappers. The finger tappers are designed to fit on one or more of the fingers of the player and have an exterior material similar to that of the strikers or mallets. Both the striker and finger tappers are preferably formed of a polymeric material. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the polymeric material is polyurethane. The hardness of the striker and/or finger tappers makes a substantial difference in the sound of the tubes. Preferably, the polymeric material will have a Shore hardness of between 80A and 90A and even more preferably, will have a Shore hardness of approximately 85A.

Alternatively, the instrument may be played using moistened palms and/or fingers.

The instrument can be played laid out flat on a table, vertically on a stand, or preferably it can be played while being held in the player's arms. This last position allows for freedom to move while playing the instrument.

As the instrument resonates for a substantial period of time, this can lead to interesting methods of playing. For example, the instrument may be moved while being played, or the player can move while playing the instrument to utilize the doppler effect.

The apertures at the end of the tube are preferably located to be at a distance of approximately 22.4% of the total length of the tube. This distance provides for the best harmonics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a percussion instrument which is generally designated by reference numeral10.

Percussion instrument10includes a first support member12and a second support member14. Interconnecting first support member10and second support member14at one end thereof is a first transverse member16. A second transverse member18interconnects first support member12and second support member14at an opposite end thereof. As will be seen, first support member12and second support member14are angled with respect to each other for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.

Percussion instrument10includes a plurality of hollow tubes20extending transversely of first support member12and second support member14. Hollow tubes20are of varying lengths such that approximately the same amount of each tube extends outwardly of first support member12and second support member14.

Each of hollow tubes20has a first end22and a second end24. Formed within each hollow tube proximate the location of first support member12and second support member14is a first aperture26and a second aperture28. First aperture26and second aperture28are preferably located diametrically opposed. It will also be noted that first aperture26and second aperture28are substantially diametrically opposed and are located slightly inwardly of first support member12and second support member14.

A plurality of pins30are provided on first support member12and second support member14. The arrangement is preferably such that there is one pin located intermediate each of the hollow tubes20along with a pin located proximate the ends of first support member12and second support member14. Each pin30preferably has an aperture32located proximate an upper end thereof.

Percussion instrument10includes a first string34and a second string36. First string34extends along first support member12and passes through apertures32in pins30and through first and second apertures26and28of hollow tubes20. Second string36is arranged in an identical manner extending adjacent second support member14.

Located adjacent each end of first support member12and second support member14are tensioning devices38,40,42and44. Preferably, tensioning devices38,40,42and44are of a guitar key structure although it will be understood that any suitable tensioning devices may be utilized. Similarly, each string may only have one such tensioning device with the other end of the string being fixably secured.

As shown inFIG. 4, the arrangement is such that, when struck, a hollow tube20will vibrate as shown by vibration lines46. Similarly, string34will also vibrate as shown by vibration lines48. In essence, each tube can move slightly upwardly and downwardly according to the tension on first and second strings34,36.

A string segment50extending between a tube20and pin aperture32and a second string segment52likewise extending between tube20and pin aperture32preferably form an angle with respect to each other of between 80° and 90°.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, there is illustrated the end of a striker, the end being generally designated by reference numeral56. A shaft of a suitable material such as wood or acrylic is designed to fit within a recess62formed in striker end56. As may be seen striker end56also includes a first cylindrical portion60and an enlarged end portion64which strikes the tubes.

As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, there is provided a finger tapper generally designated by reference numeral66. Finger tapper66includes a recess68to receive the finger of a user. There is also a somewhat enlarged end70. As may be seen small recesses72may be formed in the lower portion of finger tapper66. If desired, a similar arrangement could be utilized with striker end56.

Both striker end56and finger tapper66may be formed of suitable materials, one of which is polyurethane having a Shore hardness typically between 80A and 90A. A preferred Shore hardness is approximately 85A.

A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 10and reference will now be had thereto.

The embodiment ofFIG. 10is similar to the previously described embodiment and accordingly, reference numerals in the 100's will be utilized for like components.

Percussion instrument110includes a first support member112and a second support member114. Interconnecting the two support members, is a transverse member118. However, as can be seen in the drawing, transverse member118and support members112,114are formed as a single U-shaped frame.

A plurality of hollow tubes120extend transversely of support members112,114. Each of hollow tubes120are supported by first string134and second string136which pass through apertures in the ends of hollow tubes120and through apertures in pins130.

In this instance, there is only provided first and second guitar keys138,142.

As in the previously described embodiment, the arrangement is such that the hollow tubes120are suspended above the support members112,114and are free to vibrate.