Abstract:
A chord playing attachment and related method is disclosed. The chord playing attachment may be attached to a guitar or similar stringed instrument, and the user may use the chord playing attachment to learn to play the instrument. Unlike other chord playing attachments, the present invention discloses a design that does not function as a capo, which allows the user play chords in standard keys. The present invention also discloses tabs that may be removed or swapped by the user to allow the user to play some chords by pressing the strings directly and some by pressing a finger pad. The present invention encourages novices to learn to play the instrument in stages and eventually remove the invention entirely. A companion teaching manual is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/835,887, filed 14 Jul. 2010, and hereby incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/835,887 was by request dated 13 Jul. 2011 converted to a U.S. provisional patent application. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to chord playing attachments and specifically to a chord playing attachment that may be used to play a guitar and may be employed as a teaching tool. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Two problems present themselves when a student attempts to learn the guitar or a similar stringed instrument. The guitar strings injure the student&#39;s fingertips until the student develops calluses; and the student faces a steep learning curve prior to playing actual music. The latter problem often causes severe frustration, which in turn causes most novices to quickly abandon their learning attempts. Teaching the student a series of musical chords allows the student to play music quickly, which encourages the student to keep playing until greater understanding is gained and reduces frustration. 
     Various chord attachments have been developed to allow the user to play chords easily without injuring their fingers. None of these devices have ever attained widespread popularity because none of them have been designed as teaching tools. Many of the older versions were intricate, heavy, and hard to use. Some even mask the strings from the users view, resulting in the user being unable to learn any chords while using the device. Newer versions are more usable, but do not encourage the user to play any strings directly. This forces the user to build up calluses all at once and forces the user to make the mental leap directly from playing by pressing buttons to playing by depressing complex string combinations. None of the previous chord attachments allow the user to take an intermediate step or steps to ease them into the process of playing without the aid of training devices. Also, none of the previous chord attachments were paired with a user friendly training manual to teach the user how to play chords in the right order to create songs without requiring the user be able to read standard sheet music. Additionally, many of the previous chord attachments depress all of the guitar strings at a specific point, which causes those devices to act as a capo. A capo device is undesirable because it changes the key of all of the chords played, which means that any attempts to play the guitar with the attached device will result in music that is nonstandard. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a chord playing attachment. The chord playing attachment should allow the user to play some chords by hand and some chords by depressing buttons. The chord playing attachment should also be used in combination with a color-coded training manual. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent when this background of the invention is read in conjunction with the subsequent detailed description of the invention, appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a chord playing attachment. The chord playing attachment comprises removable chord members with color-coded finger pads that depress the strings necessary to play a chord or part of a chord. The chord playing attachment allows the user to remove some of these cord members to play some chords by hand and some by pressing buttons, and thereby provides an intermediate step between playing the instrument with a teaching device and playing the instrument unaided. The chord playing attachment is also usable in combination with a color-coded training manual for easy learning. 
     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description, and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings contained herein exemplify two of the embodiments of the claimed invention. The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. The embodiments shown are purely examples, and the invention is capable of many variations of said embodiments. In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention attached to the neck of a guitar. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the present invention attached to the neck of a guitar. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention attached to the neck of a guitar. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention attached to the neck of a guitar. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention attached to the neck of a guitar. 
     
    
    
     The first digit of each reference numeral in the above figures indicates the figure in which an element or feature is most prominently shown. The second digit indicates related elements or features, and a final letter (when used) indicates a sub-portion of an element or feature. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A standard guitar comprises a neck with two side surfaces, an upper surface, and a lower surface. The neck of the guitar comprises a length dimension, a width dimension, and a depth dimension. The neck further comprises a proximate end, attached to a guitar head, and a distal end, attached to the guitar body. The upper surface of the neck further comprises a series of frets placed perpendicular to the length of the neck and parallel to the width. A series of strings extend above the upper surface of the neck and the frets. The strings are placed in a direction that is perpendicular to the frets. Music is created from the guitar when a string is depressed in a location along the neck, allowing the portion of the string between the depressed location and the guitar body to vibrate, thus creating sound waves. For proper music play, the strings should be depressed between the frets, allowing the closest fret between the depressed location and the distal end of the neck to serve as the end point of the vibrating portion of the string. A standard guitar comprises six strings. The strings vary in thickness. When a guitar is held in standard playing position, the strings are arranged with the thickest string positioned at the top of the neck with each successive string becoming thinner. The thinnest string is referred to as the first string with each string above it referred to by an increasing number. The area of the neck between the first fret and the proximate end of the neck is referred to as the first fret, with each successive area receiving a progressively higher numeric designation. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention attached to the neck of a guitar as described above.  FIG. 1  discloses a receiving unit  101 . The receiving unit  101  is adapted to be positioned above the fretted neck of the guitar. The receiving unit  101  should be placed perpendicular to the strings and parallel to the frets. In the preferred embodiment, the receiving unit  101  is positioned above the proximate end of the guitar neck at the point where the guitar neck attaches to the guitar head. The receiving unit  101  should be configured to receive other components. 
       FIG. 1  further discloses a plurality of clamp members  102 . The clamp members  102  are configured to attach to the receiving unit  101 . The clamp members  102  should be configured to adjustably apply pressure to the side of the neck of the guitar. The purpose of the clamp members  102  is to retain the receiving unit  101  in position during use, and the clamp members  102  should be capable of applying sufficient pressure for this purpose. The clamp members  102  prevent the receiving unit  101  from contacting the strings of the guitar during use. If the receiving unit  101  comes in contact with the strings, the receiving unit  101  becomes a capo, which is undesirable for the reasons discussed above. In the preferred embodiment, one clamp member  102  is permanently attached to the receiving unit  101  and one clamp member  102  is removably attached to the receiving unit  101 . 
       FIG. 1  further discloses one or more adjustment members  103 . In the preferred embodiment, one adjustment member  103  is used. The adjustment member  103  should be adapted to attach the receiving unit  101  to the clamp members  102 . The purpose of the adjustment member  103  is to function as an adjustment means for the clamp members  102 . In the preferred embodiment, the adjustment member  103  is a threaded bolt with a handle that threads through one clamp member  102  and into the receiving unit  101 . In the preferred embodiment, the adjustment member  103  may be removed so that the present invention is removable from the neck of the guitar. In the preferred embodiment, the adjustment member  103  may also be turned in order to force the clamp member  102  closer to the receiving unit  101  and thereby adjustably apply pressure to the side of the neck of the guitar. One skilled in the art will recognize that many different combinations of devices may be used to retain the receiving unit  101  in position during use. This disclosure is intended to include and does include those embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  also discloses a plurality of chord members  104 . Each chord member  104  is adapted to be received by, and be removably attached to, the receiving unit  101  in a position substantially parallel to the strings of the guitar. In the preferred embodiment, the receiving unit  101  is capable of receiving four chord members  104  at the same time. Each chord member  104  further comprises one or more string depressors  104 A, each capable of depressing a preselected string or strings. The string depressors  104 A are positioned at preselected distances from the receiving unit  101 , so that when a given chord member  104  is depressed by the user, the associated string depressors  104 A depress the appropriate strings at the appropriate locations to form a preselected musical chord. In the preferred embodiment, each cord member further comprises a finger pad  104 B which may be used by the user to depress the chord member  104  and the associated string depressors  104 A. In the preferred embodiment, the finger pads  104 B are smooth to prevent friction from injuring the fingers of new users. In the preferred embodiment, each finger pad  104 B is color coded. This allows a companion manual to be employed by a novice user. Said companion manual should describe the proper method of playing common songs by describing the order of the chords to be played by means of a legend which is color coded to correspond to the colors of the finger pads of the chord members. This manual allows the novice user to begin playing music immediately without the need to learn to read standard sheet music. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the receiving unit  101  further comprises an adjustment port  101 A. The adjustment port  101 A is designed to receive the adjustment member  103  after it is placed through one of the clamp members  102  as discussed above. This allows the adjustment member  103  to attach the receiving unit  101  to the clamp member  102 . 
     The receiving unit  101  further comprises a plurality of chord ports  101 B. Each cord port  101 B is capable of receiving a chord member. In the preferred embodiment, the receiving member comprises four chord ports  101 B, allowing the embodiment to accommodate four chord members  104  at a time. In the preferred embodiment, the chord members  104  each comprise an attachment member  104 C. The attachment member  104 C of a chord member  104  may be received by a chord port  101 B of the receiving unit  101 . The attachment member  104 C should be removably attached to the chord port  101 B. In the preferred embodiment, the attachment member  104 C is shaped to allow the chord member  104  to slide a predetermined distance into the chord port  101 B of the receiving unit  101 . This places each string depressor  104 A into the proper position relative to the guitar strings and frets to make the preselected musical chord when the finger pad  104 B is depressed. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the clamp members  102  each further comprise a neck pad  201 . The neck pad is positioned between the clamp member  102  and the side surfaces of the neck of the guitar. The neck pad  201  functions as a cushion which prevents the clamp members  102  from damaging the guitar neck when the clamp members  102  are tightened. One skilled in the art will understand that, while the neck pad  201  is not necessary for the proper practice of the present invention, the neck pad  201  prevents unnecessary wear and tear on the guitar neck during use. 
     While the present invention has been described hereinabove in general terms, the following paragraphs describe the function of specific embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will understand that many variations of the discussed embodiments exist which may be used to play any musical chord on a guitar. These embodiments are contemplated and intended to be included in the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the present invention attached to the neck of a guitar. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  can be used to play chords in the key of G. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  discloses four different cord members  104 . Chord member GG  301  is designed to form a G chord in the key of G when depressed. Chord member GG  301  comprises three string depressors  104 A positioned to depress string one and six at the third fret and string five at the second fret. The finger pad  104 B for each chord member  104  is placed in a position that forces all string depressors  104 A on that chord member  104  to depress the associated strings when that chord member  104  is depressed. 
       FIG. 3  also discloses chord member GEM  302 . Chord member GEM is designed to form an E minor chord in the key of G. Chord member GEM  302  comprises two string depressors  104 A positioned to depress strings five and four at the second fret.  FIG. 3  also discloses chord member GC  303 , which is designed to form a C chord in the key of G. Chord member GC  303  comprises three string depressors  104 A positioned to depress string five at the third fret, string four at the second fret, and the second string at the first fret.  FIG. 3  also discloses chord member GD  304 , which is designed to form a D chord in the key of G. Chord member GD  304  comprises three string depressors  104 A positioned to depress string two at the third fret, and strings one and three at the second fret. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention attached to the neck of a guitar. The second embodiment comprises the same components as the first embodiment; however, the chord members  104  are selected to play chords in the key of A. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  discloses four chord members  104 .  FIG. 4  discloses chord member AF  401 , which is designed to form an F sharp minor chord in the key of A. Chord member AF  401  comprises three string depressors  104 A positioned to depress string four and five at the fourth fret and string one at the second fret. Chord member AF  401  also comprises two finger pads  104 B, which assists in causing even depression of the appropriate strings when the finger pads  104 B are depressed.  FIG. 4  also discloses chord member GD  304 , which is designed to form a D chord.  FIG. 4  also discloses chord member AA  402 , which is designed to form an A chord in the key of A. Chord member AA  402  comprises three string depressors  104 A positioned to depress strings two, three, and four at the second fret.  FIG. 4  also discloses chord member AE  403 , which is designed to form an E chord in the key of A. Chord member AE  403  comprises three string depressors  104 A positioned to depress strings four and five at the second fret and string three at the first fret. One skilled in the art will understand that the chord members  104  disclosed in embodiments listed herein may be used in various configurations to play all of the basic chords in the keys of A and G.  FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of the second embodiment to ensure that the design of chord member AA  402  and chord member AE  403  can be fully understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention attached to the neck of a guitar. In the preferred embodiment, all chord members  104  are essentially planar with the exception of certain irregularities built into particular chord members  104  to allow them to function with other chord members  104 . In the preferred embodiment, the plane of the chord members  104  is not parallel with the plane of the upper surface of the guitar neck. In the preferred embodiment, the distance between the finger pad  104 B of each chord member  104  and the upper surface of the guitar neck is greater than the distance between the attachment member  104 C and the upper surface of the guitar neck. The angle between the plane of the chord members  104  and the plane of the upper surface of the guitar neck compensates for the natural bend that occurs when the chord member  104  is depressed. In this manner, when a chord member  104  is depressed, all of that chord member&#39;s string depressors  104 A depress their associated strings at essentially the same time. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention attached to the neck of a guitar. The third embodiment of the present invention comprises a single chord member  104 . The specific chord member  104  used in the present embodiment is chord member GBM 7   701 , which is designed to form a B minor seventh chord in the key of G. Chord member GBM 7   701  comprises three string depressors  104 A positioned to depress strings one, three, and five at the second fret. In this embodiment, the user has played various chords while using various chord members  104  and has gained an understanding of most of the chord members  104 . The user has removed all of the chord members  104  except for GBM 7   701 . The user plays the other chords in the key of G without mechanical aid, but employs GBM 7   701  to play B minor chords until understanding of that particular chord has been gained. It should be recognized that, in an alternate embodiment, GBM 7   701  is specifically designed to be used in concert with GD  304 , GG  301 , and AA  402 , to play the chords D, G, A, and B minor. In an alternate embodiment, the user may use any combination of four of the disclosed chord members  104  while learning. As each user will progress at different rates and will have varying difficulty with certain chords, the user may remove or retain different combinations of chord members  104  while using the present invention. This application is intended to disclose, and does disclose, those embodiments. 
     The method of operation of various embodiments of the present invention is described hereinafter. A user, wishing to use the present invention, acquires a standard guitar. The user may then adjustably attach the receiving unit  101  to the guitar by means of the clamp members  102  and the adjustment members  103 . In the preferred embodiment, the neck pad  201  of one clamp member  102  is placed against the guitar neck, a second clamp member  102  is connected to the receiving unit  101 , and the adjustment member  103  is threaded through the second clamp member  102  and into the adjustment port  101 A of the receiving unit  101 . 
     Once the receiving unit  101  is adjustably attached to the guitar neck, the user may select a plurality of chord members  104  that can be used to play chords in a desired key. By way of a nonlimiting example, the chord members  104  described as the first embodiment and third embodiment above may be used in combination to play chords in the key of G and the chord members  104  described as the second embodiment above may be used in combination to play chords in the key of A. The user may then removably attach the selected chord members  104  to the receiving unit  101 . In the preferred embodiment, four chord members  104  may be attached to the receiving unit  101  at the same time. 
     The user may then begin to play chords on the guitar by depressing the chord members  104  until understanding is gained. The user may reference a color coded companion manual that describes how to play common songs by pressing the color coded finger pads  104 B in the proper sequence. Once the user has become familiar with the chords, the user may remove one or more chord members  104  from the receiving unit  101 . The user may then play some chords using the chord members  104  and some chords by manually depressing the strings. In this manner, the user may slowly remove the chord members  104  from the guitar until the user is playing without mechanical assistance. This method allows a novice user to feel a sense of accomplishment by quickly learning to play actual music while learning manual string manipulation at a more measured pace. This method creates a rewarding learning experience, reduces the associated learning curve, and reduces the user&#39;s resultant frustration, resulting in a more effective learning process. 
     The chord members  104  can be made of a suitably resilient material, such as plastic. The plastic can be for example, transparent polycarbonate (as used in the commercial embodiment which is shown at www.chordbuddy.com). Other plastics which are suitably resilient, whether or not transparent, could work also. In the commercial embodiment which is shown at www.chordbuddy.com, the finger pad  104 B on chord member GG  301  is blue, the finger pad  104 B on chord member GEM  302  is yellow, the finger pad  104 B on chord member GC  303  is green, and the finger pad  104 B on chord member GD  304  is red (though other color combinations could be used)—in this commercial embodiment, the finger pads  104 B are all made of opaque plastic, namely polypropylene, though they could, for example, as well be made of other plastic or other material. Dimensions of the commercial embodiment are about 12.6 cm long by about 7.13 cm wide by about 3.35 cm high. The thickness of the chord members  104  is about 2.4 mm-2.6 mm (the longer ones are preferably slightly thicker to make them stronger). 
     While the present invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.