Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Teaching Music.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 30th Aug.. 1890-Accepted, 11th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Teaching Music.
We, ADA ANNIE SKILLINGTON, of No. 18 Weston Road, Ilkley, in the County of
York, Schoolmistress, and FRED SKILLINGTON, of the same place, Joiner, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the method of and apparatus for
teaching music, and has more especially for its object the teaching of children their
"notes" in a more intelligible and practicable manner than is the case when an
ordinary instruction book is used.
We accomplish our object in the following manner-To one side of a thin founda-
tion board of wood, paper, or other material of any convenient size, we rule five
longitudinal parallel lines, representing what is known as the "stave," and signify
the clef by the usual "treble" sign. On to the first or bottom line we place a
thin parallel strip of wood having the letter E. printed or otherwise marked thereon,
on to the second line a similar strip marked G. on to the third line, one marked B.
on the fourth line one marked D. and on to the fifth line one marked F.
We then form small pieces of wood preferably of circular shape and upon each
piece print or otherwise mark a letter, such letter corresponding with the various
66 notes in music. We then place, on the before mentioned "lines" and in the
spaces" formed between the same, and their respective positions, the small pieces of
wood representing the "notes," thus the "treble clef" is fully represented.
68
"
"
In the case of the "bass clef," we place a detachable sign over the "treble
sign" and interchange the "strips "of wood forming the "lines" and use an extra
one for the bottom or first line marked G. and again place the wood "notes" in their
respective positions as before described.
On the other side of the thin foundation board we rule as many vertical parallel
lines as there are "natural notes "in an octave, and by placing short parallel strips of
wood on the said lines, which are "lettered" and form the "sharps" and "flats," a
full" octave "of the piano keyboard is represented.
By these means the child is more effectually, easily, and sooner taught the first
hitherto tedious step in music without the aid of a piano or instruction book.
Dated this 20th day of November 1889
JOHN WAUGH,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Teaching Music.
We, ADA ANNIE SKILLINGTON, of No. 18 Weston Road, Ilkley, in the County of
York, Schoolmistress, and FRED SKILLINGTON, of the same place, Joiner, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the method of and apparatus for
teaching music, and has more especially for its object the teaching of children their
musical "notes" in a more intelligible and practical manner than is the case when
an ordinary instruction book is used.
In order that our invention may be fully understood we will describe the same by
making reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a view of the apparatus representing the "treble clef."
Th
0
the 6 bass clef"

page_text: Fig. 3. is a view of the other side of the foundation board, and represents a full
octave of the piano keyboard, and
Fig. 4. illustrates our method of teaching children the respective value with regard
to time of the various notes used in music.
The foundation board H. is formed of thin wood, paper, or other suitable material,
and of any convenient size having five parallel lines J. ruled thereon representing
what is known as the "stave," having the "clef" signified by the usual "treble sign."
On to the first or bottom line we place a thin strip of wood or the like having the
letter E. printed or otherwise marked thereon, on to the second line a similar strip.
marked G. on to the third one marked B. on to the fourth one marked D. and on
the fifth or top line of the "stave " one marked F.
notes
"
We form small pieces of wood K. preferably of circular shape and upon each piece
print or otherwise mark a letter, such letter corresponding with the various "
used in music. We then place on the before mentioned parallel strips of wood
representing the "lines" and in the " spaces " formed between the same, in their
respective positions the small circular pieces of wood K. representing the "notes,"
thus the "treble clef " is fully illustrated.
In the case of the "bass clef" we place a detachable "sign" M. over the "treble
sign" and interchange the strips of wood representing the "lines," using an extra
one marked A. for the fifth or top line and again place the circular pieces of wood
representing the "notes" in their respective position as shown by Fig. 2.
In Fig. 3. we shew the other side of the foundation board H. upon which we rule
as many vertical parallel lines N. as there are natural "notes" in an octave and by
placing the short strip of wood representing the "sharps" and "flats" in position as
shown, a full octave of the piano keyboard is represented.
In order to teach children in a simple and explanatory manner the respective value
of the various notes used in music, with respect to "time," we use a piece of card-
board or other suitable material and divide the same in the manner shewn by dotted
lines (see Fig. 4) and print one semibreve in the top division, two minims in the
second, four crotchets in the third, eight quavers in the fourth and sixteen semiquavers
in the fifth, whereupon it will be seen that one semibreve equals two minimis, four
crotchets, eight quavers, sixteen semiquavers or vice-versa.
By these means the child is more easily, effectually, and sooner taught the hitherto
tedious first steps in music.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same may be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The method of teaching the "notes" in music by detachable lettered strips and
small pieces of wood, used in connection with the ordinary treble and bass clef signs.
2. The method of teaching children the relative value of the various notes used in
music in the manner herein shewn and described.
.
Dated this 29th day of August 1890.
JOHN WAUGH,
Agent.