Abstract:
The foregoing describes a plectrum. In embodiments, the plectrum is comprised of hardened leather. The hardened leather may be beveled and/or sharpened. In other embodiments, the construction of the hardened leather plectrum may include a hole, or eyelet, for incorporating a lanyard. In other embodiments, a method of making a leather plectrum is disclosed.

Description:
[0001]    The present application is in the technical field of music. More particularly, the present application is in the technical field of plectrums typically designed to be used with for striking the strings of guitars, basses, and other stringed instruments to produce sound from those instruments. In one embodiment, the present disclosure describes a leather plectrum with a hardened beveled or hardened sharpened end or edges used for striking the strings of guitars, basses, and other stringed instruments to produce sound from those instruments with optional lanyard. In another embodiment, the present disclosure describes a process for making a leather plectrum. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    The foregoing describes a plectrum. In embodiments, the plectrum is comprised of hardened leather. The hardened leather may be beveled and/or sharpened. In other embodiments, the construction of the hardened leather plectrum may include a hole, or eyelet, for incorporating a lanyard. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a front/rear perspective view of a leather plectrum. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a left/right side view of a leather plectrum. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a near front/near rear perspective view of a leather plectrum. 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a near front/near rear perspective view of a leather plectrum showing optional lanyard. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]    The present disclosure provides for a leather plectrum. Referring now in more detail to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3  there is shown a plectrum  20  made of leather. In further detail, there is shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  the end of the leather plectrum having a hardened beveled or hardened sharpened end  21  that is sufficiently stiff and responsive enough to strike a stringed instrument. Alternatively, and/or in addition to having a hardened beveled or hardened sharpened end  21  that is sufficiently stiff and responsive enough to strike a stringed instrument, the hardened beveled or hardened sharpened end that is sufficiently stiff and responsive enough to strike a stringed instrument can be extended the entirety of all of the edges of the plectrum  22 . 
         [0008]    In further detail, there is shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  an increased thickness  22  of the leather plectrum. The increased thickness is advantageous over the thickness of plectrums found on the market today. The thickness may be anywhere between 1-10 mm, with a desired thickness between 2-7 mm. 
         [0009]    The construction details of the disclosure as shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3  are that the leather plectrum  20  may be made of leather or of any other material such as composite leather, or artificial leather. Further, the various components of the leather plectrum  20  can be made of different materials. 
         [0010]    The leather plectrum  20  may be hardened by any method of leather hardening known in the art. Hardening leather may include any hardening method that makes the leather stiffer. These hardening methods may include, but are not limited to, hardening by use of liquid and/or chemical process. In addition heat may be applied as necessary to achieve the desired level of plectrum hardness. The use of liquid, chemical, and/or heat may be combined to create the hardened leather. Moreover, the liquid may be heated or boiled. In yet another embodiment, the exterior surface to be hardened may be exposed directly to flame to create a hardened leather portion. 
         [0011]    The construction details of the disclosure as shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3  and as described above may, alternatively, and as shown in  FIG. 4 , incorporate via an eyelet  23 , grommet, hole or the like in the plectrum a lanyard  24  tied together by common slipknot  25  or similar method and tied off at each end  26  to permit the lanyard to be secured around the wrist to enable the holder of the plectrum to use the plectrum to strike the stringed instrument. Moreover, the lanyard secured around the wrist enables the holder to let the plectrum drop from the holder&#39;s fingers while keeping the plectrum secured to the wrist for easy retrieval. The length of the lanyard  24  may be made long enough to permit the lanyard and plectrum to be placed around the neck of the holder in a necklace-like fashion. 
         [0012]    The present disclosure offers numerous advantages over previous plectrum designs. The hardened beveled or hardened sharpened end  21  of the plectrum offers a different sonic response depending on the level of hardness incorporated. For example, an increased level of hardness, i.e. a harder, end of the plectrum may offer improved high frequency sonic response and clarity. Alternatively, a decreased level of hardness, i.e. softer, end of the plectrum may offer a muted response. Depending on the intended sonic effect, different levels of hardness on the hardened beveled or hardened sharpened end  21  of the plectrum may be desired. Moreover, the plectrum may be constructed such that different levels of hardness are incorporated at different areas of the edge, creating unique sonic responses depending where on the plectrum a string is struck. 
         [0013]    Additionally, the non-hardened portion of the plectrum is as tactile, as grip-able, and as malleable as plectrums on the market today. The increased hardness may enable the user to more easily grip and pick up the plectrum when it is placed on a flat surface. 
         [0014]    Embodiments of the plectrum may be considered to be substantially all leather. That is, the main functional element of the plectrum is entirely of leather notwithstanding other ornamental elements, such as ink, plastic or embossed metal that may be provided for aesthetic or identification purposes. For example, in an embodiment, a leather plectrum is provided that includes a minor amount of rubber on the surface of the plectrum. The rubber may be provided as a trademark identifier but could also be said to improve the user&#39;s grip. However, such a plectrum would be considered to be a leather plectrum within the scope of this disclosure as the rubber is a minor element and superfluous to the plectrum&#39;s function of plucking the strings of an instrument. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the plectrum may be attached to a lanyard  24 . The lanyard  24  enables the holder of the plectrum to use the plectrum to strike the stringed instrument, but also enables the user to let the plectrum drop from the fingers while keeping the plectrum secured to the wrist for easy retrieval. Additionally, the length of the lanyard  24  may be made long enough to permit the lanyard and plectrum to be placed around the neck of the holder in a necklace-like fashion. 
         [0016]    It will be clear that the apparatus described herein is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and systems within this specification may be implemented in many manners and as such is not to be limited by the foregoing exemplified embodiments and examples. 
         [0017]    While various embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, various changes and modifications may be made which are well within the scope of the present invention. Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the disclosure.