Patent Publication Number: US-2009229442-A1

Title: Plectrum with attached grasping devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patent Documents 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 U.S. Patent # 
                 Date 
                 Classification 
                 Inventor 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   557,293 
                 March 1896 
                 251/48 
                 Wahl, F. 
               
               
                 1,184,561 
                 May 1916 
                  84/322 
                 Napoletano, A. 
               
               
                 1,263,740 
                 April 1918 
                  84/322 
                 Burdwise, A. 
               
               
                 2,776,592 
                 January 1957 
                  84/322 
                 Di Preta, M. 
               
               
                 3,648,558 
                 March 1972 
                  84/322 
                 Chenette, J. 
               
               
                 3,699,838 
                 October 1972 
                  84/322 
                 Montgomery, E. 
               
               
                 4,270,433 
                 June 1981 
                  84/322 
                 Adamec, R. 
               
               
                 4,067,255 
                 January 1978 
                  84/322 
                 Camaioni, R. 
               
               
                 4,270,433 
                 June 1981 
                  84/322 
                 Adamec, G. 
               
               
                 4,497,237 
                 February 1985 
                  84/322 
                 Beall, M. 
               
               
                 5,837,913 
                 November 1998 
                  84/329 
                 Newman, J. 
               
               
                 6,040,512 
                 March 2000 
                  84/322 
                 Polley, Z. 
               
               
                 6,054,643 
                 April 2000 
                  84/322 
                 Chance, A., et al. 
               
               
                 6,118,058 
                 September 2000 
                  84/320 
                 Rowley, P. 
               
               
                 6,127,613 
                 October 2000 
                  84/332 
                 Pittman, et al. 
               
               
                 6,346,662 
                 December 2002 
                  84/320 
                 Drayth, S. 
               
               
                 6,903,256 
                 June 2005 
                  84/322 
                 Pittman, et al. 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 U.S. Patent Applications 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 2003004058 
                 March 2003 
                  84/322 
                 Pearson-Bey, T. 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Foreign Patent Documents 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 GB2347550 
                 June 2002 
                 G10D 3/16 
                 McErlaine, A. 
               
               
                 JP200204103 
                 August 2002 
                 G10D 3/16 
                 Mari, T. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     OTHER REFERENCES 
     “Shark Tooth” Thumbpick, designed by Greg Atkin; http://www.adirondackguitar.com/picks/shrk.htm
     Abledata; picks for disabled persons or those with physical limitations; 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 930, Silver Spring, Md.  20910 ; http://www.abledata.com  A Patient/s Guide to Arthritis of the Finger Joints ; Hand University; 3010N; Circle Drive, #200, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80909     Cubital Tunnel Syndrome in Guitarists ; Timothy J. Jameson, D. C., C.C.S.P.; http://.museweb.com/ag/cubital.html   

    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The inventive concepts presented herein generally are concerned with devices and methods for playing stringed musical instruments, especially guitars. Historically, stringed instruments such as guitars, bass guitars, banjos, mandolins and the like are played either with the fingers, or more frequently, with the assistance of a plectrum. Plectrums come in a variety of sizes, weights, densities, materials, and textures. They are usually 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm thick, but can be much thicker. Plectrums are generally constructed in the approximate shape of an isosceles triangle, with rounded base angles and a relatively elliptical apex, or “picking point.” The musician normally orients the plectrum so as to make the picking point the part of the plectrum which strikes the strings of the instrument. Occasionally a musician will orient the plectrum sidewise so as to strike the strings with one of the unilateral sides of the plectrum and thus obtain a “fatter” sound from the strings. 
     It is not uncommon for a musician to lose the most effective position of his or her grip on the plectrum while playing, or to drop the plectrum entirely when playing rapid or intense passages consisting of multitudes of musical notes. If the grip on the plectrum is accidentally misaligned, the musician may not be able to timely strike the string or strings which for which he or she is aiming, and as an added consequence, the timbre of the string, or the quality of its induced resonance is lessened by such a mis-strike. 
     (2) Description of the Related Art 
     Musicians and instrument makers have been, for over one hundred years, making improvements and modifications in the basic simple plectrum, to make the device more versatile or convenient to use. A very early invention in this vein was designed in 1896, and involved a holder device for mandolin picks; ref. U.S. Pat. No. 557,293. The holder was flexible enough such that, by varying pressure on the device with the thumb and forefinger, a musician was able to strike the mandolin strings very soft with low volume or with force for louder, more emphatic tones. The holder minimized the risk of dropping the pick or losing grip. 
     In 1916, U.S. Pat. No. 1,184,561 presented a design for a mandolin pick holder which resembled a miniature horseshoe. The device was made with a recessed chamber, sized so as to accommodate the insertion of the pick. The preferred embodiment of the device was made of rubber, which gave enhanced gripping qualities to the musician, as the gripping pressure of the fingers engaged the friction of the rubber. The pressure of the fingers also provided a firm retention force for maintaining the pick inside the horseshoe-shaped receptacle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,263,740 features a pick for stringed instruments which is constructed with a small hole or aperture at the gripping end of the pick. A thin wire is inserted through the hole and then looped on both sides of the pick. The double loops provide resting places, or anchors, for the two most conveniently located fingers involved in gripping the pick for playing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,776,592 describes a guitar pick attachment designed with a ring-like mechanism to fit over the forefinger. This helps prevent accidental dropping of the pick. The ring-like mechanism is connected to the pick by a “tongue” that is an integral part of the pick. The pick may be swiveled around its position on the ring-like mechanism to a non-playing position, which allows freedom of the fingers to pluck the instrument. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,699,838 consists of a guitar pick manufactured with an integral, continuous circular band extending from both sides of the pick. The band is designed with sufficient tension so as to securely hold a thumb or finger as that digit is inserted within the circular band in preparation for gripping the pick. 
     A relatively intricate pick design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,433, which claims a plectrum ring. The ring element is designed to be worn about the middle finger of the musician&#39;s playing hand, with the plectrum being snapped into place by means of a stud and boss assembly on the surface of the ring element. The plectrum may have one or more boreholes drilled into it to allow a selection of multiple positions and angles for the plectrum to be attached to the ring element. Other variations of this basic mechanism are further disclosed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,237 consists of a guitar pick with two curved metallic bands attached to the pick. The pick itself has two small pads, one glued to each side of the gripping half of the pick. There are grooves within the pads to allow the insertion of the two bands. The bands are relatively stiff but deformable to allow insertion of the musician&#39;s fingers and also to allow the pick to be swiveled out of playing range when the pick is not in use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,913 features a plectrum which is attached to a flexible tongue device, which in turn is connected to a bendable, circular hand engaging member. The hand engaging member is designed to be variably fitted onto the base of the musician&#39;s middle finger. Thereafter, the flexible tongue stretches to allow the pick to be grasped by the musician&#39;s thumb and forefinger for playing the instrument. 
     An abandoned British patent application (publication #GB2347550) discloses a variety of plectrum devices, including one with a handle to be grasped in the user&#39;s first. At least one variety of the handle is manufactured with a tongue-like device which is integral to the handle and extends outward an appropriate distance so as to allow the attachment of a pick to the tongue. 
     Another development with respect to playing stringed instruments is a device referred to as the F-1™ “Ergonomic Guitar Pick.” This invention is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,643 and is designed to be used as either a pick or a pick holder. It resembles an inverted clamshell, and features a pick of engineered material with a curved finger grip. One side of the device is a finger cradle, or saddle, to accommodate either the thumb or the index finger of the musician. The opposite side of the device is a flat planar area for ease of gripping with pressure exerted by the other fingers. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT 
     The inventive concept herein disclose re-designed plectrums, sometimes commonly referred to as guitar picks, suitable for various means of attachment to a grasping device while playing a stringed musical instrument. The disclosed plectrums feature an extended gripping surface, or “tab,” which allows a musician to more effectively hold the plectrum and to apply more forceful leverage when the plectrum strikes the strings of a musical instrument. A further advantage of the tab is that it provides a means for attaching a variety of grasping devices to the tabs. The various grasping devices presented in this inventive concept allow the musician more comfort, reliable gripping pressure, and a greater consciousness of ergonomic muscular movements for playing a musical instrument, particularly guitars. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects, features, and advantages of the concept presented in this application are more readily understood when referring to the accompanying drawings. The drawings, totaling twenty figures, show the basic functioning of the inventive concept as it sequentially progresses through various other embodiments and methods. In the several figures, like reference numbers are used in each figure to correspond to the same component as may be depicted in other figures. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a common or standard plectrum, or “pick” which has been enhanced by the construction of an extended gripping end, referred to as a “tab.” 
         FIG. 2  presents a view of the enhanced plectrum in which the hook component of a hook-and-felt fastening mechanism has been adhesively attached to the tab of the plectrum. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an enhanced plectrum with an aperture cut into the tab, (referred to as a “slotted plectrum”) said aperture allowing a means of attaching various grasping devices to the plectrum. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a full-length view of a straight-line grasping device (“SLGD”). As shown, each end of the SLGD is flared into a wedge shape with the felt component of a hook-and-felt fastening mechanism. Immediately above the wedge is a longer length of the hook component of the fastening mechanism. 
         FIG. 5  shows a variably-looped grasping device (“VLGD”). The VLGD is specifically designed to provide both a means of attaching the VLGD to the plectrum and an ergonomically efficient method of orienting and applying the plectrum to play a stringed musical instrument 
         FIG. 6  presents a view of the Double-Folding Grasping Device (“DFGD”). A portion of each end of this grasping device is constructed with the hook component of a hook-and-felt fastening mechanism, while the center portion comprises the felt component. 
         FIG. 6(   a ) illustrates one end of the Double-Folding Grasping Device in the process of being attached to a slotted plectrum with the opposite end of the DFGD clamped by a retaining mechanism. 
         FIG. 7  presents an adjustable retaining device used in conjunction with either the SLGD or the DFGD. The retaining device adjusts the length of either device so as to comfortably fit within the grasp of the playing hand of the musician. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the ergonomic method of grasping the plectrum and the manner of holding the SLGD in the grasp of the instrument player&#39;s hand. Vectors representing efficient wrist and forearm orientation and movement are depicted. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the VLGD as it is inserted into the slotted plectrum. 
         FIG. 10  shows the method of grasping the plectrum and arranging the VLGD about the fingers of the playing hand. Vectors depict the most ergonomic orientation and movements of the hand and wrist while using the VLGD. 
         FIG. 11  depicts an alternative embodiment of the DFGD, with the addition of a flexible medium connecting the two fastening ends of the device. 
         FIG. 12  presents a view of the alternative embodiment of the DFGD, showing the orientation of the hook and felt components of the fastening mechanism. 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of a grasping device, referred to as a “pic tether,” an elastomeric strap. 
         FIG. 14  is an end view of the pic tether. 
         FIG. 15  presents a side view of the pic tether. 
         FIG. 16  is a view of a plectrum with a “gooseneck” tab. 
         FIG. 17  depicts the completely assembled gooseneck plectrum device with the pic tether looped onto an oblong fastening slot, and also attached to the plectrum. 
         FIG. 18  presents a top view of the wristband. 
         FIG. 19  shows a side view of the wrist band illustrating the gooseneck plectrum inserted into one of the two pic pockets. 
         FIG. 20  is a side view, oriented 90 degrees from the side view of  FIG. 19 . 
       
         
           
             
                 
               
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   Nomenclature For Invention Components 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
              
                 
                     
                 
              
             
             
                 
                 
              
                 
                   1. 
                   Enhanced plectrum 
                 
                 
                   2. 
                   Apex of plectrum 
                 
                 
                   3. 
                   Tab 
                 
                 
                   4. 
                   Hook component of 
                 
                 
                     
                   fastening mechanism 
                 
                 
                   5. 
                   Plectrum (modified) 
                 
                 
                   6. 
                   Aperture 
                 
                 
                   7. 
                   Plectrum (slotted) 
                 
                 
                   8. 
                   Felt component for 
                 
                 
                     
                   fastening 
                 
                 
                   9. 
                   SLGD 
                 
                 
                   10. 
                   Wedge 
                 
                 
                   11. 
                   VLGD 
                 
                 
                   12. 
                   DFGD 
                 
                 
                   13. 
                   Retaining mechanism 
                 
                 
                   14. 
                   not applicable 
                 
                 
                   15. 
                   Flexible medium 
                 
                 
                   16. 
                   Alternative embodiment, 
                 
                 
                     
                   DFGD 
                 
              
             
             
                 
                 
              
                 
                   17.-19. 
                   not applicable 
                 
              
             
             
                 
                 
              
                 
                   20. 
                   Centerline between apex 
                 
                 
                     
                   and aperture 
                 
                 
                   21. 
                   Forearm static vector 
                 
                 
                   22. 
                   Rotational arc of forearm 
                 
                 
                   23. 
                   Rotational arc of wrist 
                 
                 
                     
                   a) upward b) downward 
                 
                 
                   24. 
                   Distal joint of index finger 
                 
                 
                   25. 
                   Proximal joint, index finger 
                 
                 
                   26. 
                   Inner wrist bone 
                 
                 
                   27. 
                   Guitar string 
                 
                 
                   28. 
                   Strumming axis 
                 
                 
                   29. 
                   n/a 
                 
                 
                   30. 
                   n/a 
                 
                 
                   31. 
                   Retaining device spring 
                 
                 
                   32. 
                   Retaining device spring 
                 
                 
                   33. 
                   Inlet opening 
                 
                 
                   34. 
                   Piston 
                 
                 
                   35. 
                   Chamber 
                 
                 
                   36. 
                   Outlet opening 
                 
                 
                   37. 
                   n/a 
                 
                 
                   38. 
                   n/a 
                 
                 
                   39. 
                   n/a 
                 
                 
                   40. 
                   Pic tether 
                 
                 
                   41. 
                   Oblong fastening slot 
                 
                 
                   42. 
                   Tab pocket 
                 
                 
                   43. 
                   Tab holding slot 
                 
                 
                   44. 
                   “T”-tab 
                 
                 
                   45. 
                   Gooseneck plectrum 
                 
                 
                   46. 
                   Gooseneck tab 
                 
                 
                   47. 
                   Tab beak 
                 
                 
                   48. 
                   Tab neck 
                 
                 
                   49. 
                   Plectrum shoulder 
                 
                 
                   50. 
                   Apex of gooseneck plectrum 
                 
                 
                   51. 
                   Wristband outer surface 
                 
                 
                   52. 
                   Wristband inner surface 
                 
                 
                   53. 
                   Pic pocket 
                 
                 
                   54. 
                   Pic pocket slot 
                 
                 
                   55. 
                   Tether retaining slot 
                 
                 
                   56. 
                   Wristband 
                 
                 
                     
                 
              
             
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPTS 
     Plectrum Designs 
       FIG. 1  presents an enhanced design of the traditional plectrum. As shown, the enhanced plectrum  1  resembles the standard contour of the vast majority of plectrums commonly used. The plectrum  1  is held by its flat surfaces and normally grasped between the musician&#39;s thumb and index finger. An elliptically-shaped apex  2  is the plectrum surface point, or “picking point” at which the plectrum  1  normally makes contact with the strings of the musical instrument. A person skilled in the art will observe that a novel difference appears in this enhanced version, wherein the plectrum  1  is fabricated with an extended, or protruding gripping surface, referred to in this inventive concept as a “tab”  3 . The tab  3  serves (a) to increase the gripping surface of the plectrum  1 , (b) to increase the leverage of the plectrum  1  as it strikes the strings of a musical instrument, and (c) as a means of attaching a plurality of hand-held grasping devices to different embodiments of the plectrum  1 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , a useful embodiment of the enhanced plectrum  1  shows a modified plectrum  5 , which is an enhanced plectrum further improved by the addition of the hook component  4  of a hook-and-felt fastening mechanism, which component may be adhesively attached to the tab  3  of the modified plectrum  5 . This hook component  4  of a hook-and-felt fastening mechanism allows the attachment of a plectrum to the appropriate segment of a plurality of grasping devices, said devices so constructed with the corresponding felt component  8  of the hook-and-felt fastening mechanism. 
     In a different plectrum embodiment,  FIG. 3  depicts a “slotted” plectrum  7 , an enhanced plectrum constructed with an aperture  6 . The aperture  6  serves as a means of attaching a variety of custom-made grasping devices to the slotted plectrum  7 . By using custom-made grasping devices, said devices so designed with strap-like contours, one end of any of these several devices can be inserted into the aperture  6  and, by various means, secured to, or by, the playing hand of the musician. 
     In yet another embodiment, a plectrum having a tab similar to the neck of a goose (the “gooseneck plectrum”) is depicted in  FIG. 16 . The gooseneck tab design possesses the appreciable advantage of ease of attachment to its compatible grasping device, both of which will be fully discussed later in this application. 
     The primary objective of the various plectrum designs is to provide a means by which a stringed musical instrument (particularly, guitar) may be played with a plectrum that has enhanced and versatile gripping qualities. By utilizing the various grasping devices which are disclosed in the following paragraphs, a musician is aided in minimizing minimize muscle strain and other repetitive use injuries often associated with frequent playing a stringed musical instrument. The combined use of the enhanced plectrums and grasping devices will also help generate a more solid, accurate, and confident striking of the strings 
     Grasping Devices 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the basic grasping device, referred to as the Straight-Line Grasping Device (SLGD)  9 . This device is designed to be compatible with the modified plectrum  5  depicted in  FIG. 2 . The SLGD  9  has a contour similar to that of a miniature strap or belt and is symmetrically designed. At each end of the SLGD  9  is a flared section, or wedge  10 . The dimensions and overall area of the wedge  10  correspond to the approximate dimensions and surface area of the adhesively-attached hook component  4  of the plectrum tab  3  shown in  FIG. 2 . Further, both sides of this flared section of the wedge  10  comprise the felt component  8  of a hook-and-felt fastening mechanism. Therefore, the wedge  10  can be easily fastened to the plectrum tab  3  by positioning either side of the wedge  10  onto the hook component  4  of the plectrum tab  3  and applying slight pressure so as to fasten the two components together. 
     The SLGD  9  is of sufficient length so as to fit comfortably in the grasp of a musician&#39;s strumming, or plucking hand, i.e., the hand that is predominantly used for striking the strings of the musical instrument. Immediately adjacent to the wedge  10  area of the SLGD  9  is a brief section comprising the hook component  4  of a hook-and-felt attaching mechanism. By this arrangement, the end of the SLGD  9  which is not attached to the tab  3  of the plectrum  5  may also be utilized to hold a spare, or a different weight plectrum, simply by inserting the unattached end through the spare plectrum aperture  6  and re-attaching to the hook component of the SLGD  9 . Additionally, as will be shown later, the musician may attach a retaining device to the end of the SLGD  9  not currently in use for playing. 
     In referring to  FIG. 5 , the illustration depicts a device entitled a Variably-Looped Grasping Device (VLGD)  11 . A full-length view of one side of the VLGD  11  is presented. Approximately one-third of one endmost section of the length of the VLGD  11  is comprised of the felt component  8  of a hook-and-felt fastening mechanism, while the opposite endmost section is comprised of the same length of the hook component  4  of the hook-and-felt fastening mechanism. Should the view be rotated on a vertical axis in a manner as to show the opposite side of the VLGD  11 , the opposite side would appear exactly as in  FIG. 5 . 
     The VLGD  11  is constructed such that either end of the device may be inserted through the aperture  6  of the slotted plectrum (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), looped around the musician&#39;s playing hand or fingers, and thereupon pressed against the opposite end with sufficient pressure to engage the fastening mechanism. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a grasping device entitled a Double-Folding Grasping Device (DFGD)  12 . This device is comprised of the hook component  4  of a hook-and-felt fastening mechanism forming each end of the device, and the remaining center segment of the device comprised of the felt component  8  of the hook-and-felt fastening mechanism. The reverse side of the DFGD  12  is devoid of either the hook or the felt component of the hook and felt fastening mechanism. 
       FIG. 6(   a ) illustrates the operating mode of the DFGD  12 , which is designed to function with the slotted plectrum  7  shown in  FIG. 3 . One end of the DFGD  12 , comprised of the hook component  4  of a hook-and-felt mechanism, is inserted into the aperture  6  of the slotted plectrum  7  a sufficient distance so as to permit the inserted end to be folded back onto the section of felt component  8  of the DFGD  12 . In this manner, the DFGD  12  is securely attached to the slotted plectrum  7 . 
     The opposite end of the DFGD  12  may be inserted into a retaining mechanism  13  a sufficient distance so as to be folded back onto the felt component  8  of the DFGD  12 , thus holding the retainer  13  at the end of the DFGD  12 . The retaining mechanism  13  shown is a common version of a spring-loaded toggle clip used extensively in various types of clothing attire. 
     In viewing  FIG. 7 , the details of a typical retaining mechanism  13 , which may be used in conjunction with the DFGD  12 , are shown. In operation, the musician grasps the body  32  of the retaining mechanism  13 , while simultaneously pushing the retaining mechanism&#39;s piston  34  from left to right against the resistance of a spring  31 . The pushing force exerted causes a chamber  35  to slide into alignment with an inlet opening  33  and an outlet opening  36 . One end of the DFGD  12  is then inserted through the inlet opening  33 , the chamber  35 , and the outlet opening  36 , in sequence. The pressure on the piston  34  is then released, causing the DFGD  12  to be securely clamped between the interior of the body  32  and the outer wall of the piston  34 . 
     The musician may further bend the inserted end of the DFGD  12  around the retaining mechanism  13  and attach the end to the felt component  8  of the DFGD. If it becomes necessary to adjust the length of the DFGD  12  in  FIG. 6(   a ), the musician must push on the piston  34 , thereby releasing the grip of the retaining mechanism  13 , and permitting the DFGD  12  to slide freely through the chamber  35  in either direction. 
     By grasping the plectrum  7  in preparation for playing a stringed musical instrument, the musician should allow the length of the DFGD  12 , while attached to the retainer  13 , to hang freely within the grasp of the curled fingers of the strumming hand. The musician may then establish an effective and comfortable playing position using proper hand and wrist orientation. After making the necessary length-wise adjustment to the DFGD  12 , the retaining mechanism  13  may, if desired, rest snugly against the outer portion of the little finger while playing. 
     Next, we turn our attention to  FIG. 8 , depicting a musician&#39;s hand holding a slotted plectrum  7  and simultaneously allowing the hand to loosely grasp a Straight-Line Grasping Device (SLGD)  9 . For simplicity&#39;s sake only one string  27  of a guitar is shown. 
       FIG. 8  demonstrates the preferred manner of grasping the plectrum  7  when utilizing the SLGD  9 . The flat surfaces of the plectrum  7  are “sandwiched” between the thumbprint and the outside portion of the index finger, directly on top of the index finger&#39;s distal joint  24 . The SLGD  9  can be observed suspended lightly within the curl of the musician&#39;s fingers. Ideally, when the plectrum  7  is held ergonomically correct, a centerline  20  drawn between the apex  2  of the plectrum  7  and the aperture  6  should overlay and parallel a line connecting the distal joint  24  and proximal joint  25  of the index finger. Thus oriented, the plectrum  7  can be brought into close proximity with the string  27  of the musical instrument and the plectrum  7  is easily directed to make forceful, or light, contact with any of the strings. 
       FIG. 8  further serves to illustrate the preferred method of manipulating the musician&#39;s hand, inner wrist bone  26 , and forearm muscles  22 , while playing a stringed musical instrument, such as guitar, banjo, mandolin, or other similarly designed instrument. For illustrative purposes only, the aperture  6  is made visible in  FIG. 8 . However, during actual instrument playing conditions, the aperture  6  may be covered by the inner edge of the thumb. In  FIG. 8 , a pointed straight line, referred to as the “forearm static vector”  21 , represents an imaginary line between the aperture  6  of the plectrum  7 , the inner wrist bone  26 , and the elbow (which is out of view in this Figure). The same forearm static vector  21  also overlays another important vector concept in this invention, the “strumming axis”  28 . If the forearm static vector  21  were extended toward the musician&#39;s hand, and if the aperture  6  of the plectrum  7  could be viewed while looking through the thumbnail, the aperture  6  would lie directly over the extended strumming axis  28 . 
     To initiate the ergonomic striking of the string  27  for a single “pluck,” the musician must rotate the inner wrist bone  26  in the direction shown in  FIG. 8  by the downward wrist rotational vector  23 ( b ), which causes the firmly-held plectrum  7  to strike the string  27  with downward force (downstroke) and consequentially cause the string  27  to vibrate in the appropriate pitch. After the downward pluck of the string  27 , the plectrum  7  is then in position to initiate an “upstroke” against the string  27 . This is done by merely allowing the forearm muscle  22  to command a rotation of the inner wrist bone  26  in the direction shown by the upward wrist rotational vector  23 ( a ), causing the plectrum  7  to contact the string  27  from underneath, again resulting in vibration of the string  27  at the appropriate musical pitch. It is important to maintain the inner wrist bone  26  and forearm  22  aligned with the strumming axis  28 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the VLGD  11  after it has been inserted through the aperture  6  of the plectrum  7 . Next, the musician inserts his playing hand in between the two “legs” of the VLGD  11  while holding the plectrum  7 . Commonly, the VLGD  11  is loosely wrapped, in a comfortable fit, about the four fingers of the playing hand and then the VLGD  11  is fastened by attaching the hook component  4  to the felt component  8  of the VLGD  11 .  FIG. 10  then reveals the preferred means of grasping the plectrum  7  and the VLGD  11  to facilitate playing the instrument. 
     In  FIG. 10 , the rotational vectors  23 ( a ) and  23 ( b ) are again depicted for the purposes of demonstrating the most ergonomic method of positioning the plectrum  7  to contact the strings  27  of the instrument. By virtue of grasping the VLGD  11  while simultaneously holding the plectrum  7 , the musician consciously positions his/her inner wrist bone  26  and forearm to maintain the proper orientation with respect to the forearm static vector  21 . The forearm muscles are then recruited to provide rotation of the wrist  26 , and the corresponding plectrum  7  movement causes contact with the strings  27  of the instrument. 
     For continuous vibrato-type striking movements against the string  27 , the musician need only recruit the forearm muscle  22  to rotate the inner wrist bone  26  back and forth as rapidly as desired, alternating the inner wrist bone  26  rotation in the directions shown by the rotational vectors,  23 ( a ) and  23 ( b ). The musician&#39;s elbow may need to change its angle slightly relative to the upper arm (humerus bone) in order to maintain the orientation of the static forearm static vector  21 . The muscle movements herein described serve to minimize muscular fatigue, Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), carpal tunnel syndrome, and varied forms of “tennis elbow.” These ailments are often suffered by guitarists who practice and/or play engagements regularly and for long sessions, without conscious effort to efficiently coordinate their arm muscle groupings. 
     For general consumer marketing, most plectrums or picks are fabricated of a relatively inexpensive, thin plastic which is designed to bend, but may also break if sufficient force is applied to the plectrum. The tension of the VLGD  11  or the SLGD  9 , as either device is routinely pulled against the aperture  6  of the slotted plectrum  7 , may also place additional vulnerable stress points on the tab  3  and cause occasional breakage. In the event of breakage of a plectrum  7 , the musician may choose to continue playing the remainder of the musical passage by holding the plectrum  7  without the assistance of the grasping device. When time permits, the musician need only undo the fastening mechanism of the grasping device, insert one end of the device into the aperture  6  of a spare plectrum  7 , and re-fasten. 
     An alternative embodiment of the VLGD is depicted in  FIGS. 13 through 17 .  FIGS. 13 ,  14 , and  15  present a grasping device in the form of an elastomeric pic tether  40  having an attaching mechanism consisting of a box-shaped tab pocket  42  with a tight fitting tab holding slot  43  integral to one end of the pic tether  40 . Further,  FIG. 16  presents a specially configured plectrum, referred to as a “gooseneck” plectrum  45 , having a gooseneck tab  46 , a tab beak  47 , and a neck tab  48 . The special design of the gooseneck plectrum  45  allows the gooseneck tab  46  to securely fit into the tab holding slot  43  of the pic tether  40 . Upon insertion of the gooseneck plectrum  45  into the tab pocket  42 , the tab beak  47  protrudes into the resilient innards of the tab holding slot  43 , thereby effectively retaining the gooseneck plectrum  45  within the tab pocket  42 . 
     A musician may effectively grasp the pic tether  40  along its length, while playing a stringed instrument, which serves to enhance ergonometric movements of his/her playing wrist and forearm. Or, alternatively a musician may bend the “T”-tab  44  at the opposite end of the pic tether  40  toward one of the oblong fastening slots  41 , insert the “T”-tab into said slot  41 , (as shown in  FIG. 17 ) and two, three, or four non-playing fingers may be encompassed within the circumference of the loop formed thereby. 
     For the sake of convenience, an elastomeric wristband  56  having a plurality of tether retaining slots  55  may be utilized for a variety of purposes, including (1) retaining the “T”-tab of the pic tether  40  while the musician is playing an instrument with a gooseneck plectrum  46  attached to the tab pocket  42  at the opposite end of the pic tether  40 , (2) storing an extra gooseneck plectrum  45  in one of its pic pockets  53 , (as shown in  FIG. 20 ), or (3) storing the pic tether  40  between playing engagements. 
     It must be realized that the embodiments presented in this inventive concept are not dependent solely upon a particular mechanism as the means of efficient or effective fastening of any of the disclosed plectrums to any grasping device, or as the means of re-attaching any grasping device to itself. Fastening means such as zippers, pins, suction devices, track-and-groove fasteners, miniature snaps, magnets, or other mechanisms may function as well, if not better. In other words, a variety of fastening means are readily capable of providing the functionality encompassed by this inventive concept and this variety of fastening mechanisms is fully envisioned as probable alternative embodiments of the concept. Furthermore, any grasping device may feature an expandable or flexible medium in conjunction with the means of attachment so designed as part of the grasping device.