IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR ASSISTING PERSONS LEARNING TO SING
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
A com-
"IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR ASSISTING PERSONS LEARNING TO SING."
munication from abroad by Guiseppe Napoleone Carrozzi, of Chicago, Illinois,
United States of America.
Sealed the 21st November 1876, and dated the 25th September 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th September 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR ASSISTING PERSONS
LEARNING TO SING." A communication.
In exercising the voice it is difficult to produce a good musical tone unless the
mouth is kept in a proper position. The object of my Invention is to provide
means for aiding those who are learning to sing to keep the mouth, tongue, and
lips in such positions as will be conducive to the production of pure musical tones
and fullness of voice. And my Invention is embodied in an instrument constructed
as herein-after set forth.
The said instrument has a bent wire, made either of silver, steel, or other suitable
material, and a vertical post or part of such a length that when inserted between
the front upper and lower teeth it will keep the mouth open sufficiently to aid in
producing a full free tone. I prefer to notch the instrument slightly, so that it may
The part into which one of
be easily and firmly grasped and held by the teeth.
these notches is sunk may be made vertically adjustable in any suitable way, so that
the distance between the teeth may thus be regulated or varied.
I usually form the said instrument with the lower notch sunken into the lead of
a screw inserted into the lower end of the said post. One part extends horizontally
a little way back from the post, and is then bent downward and curved horizontally
to former à presser to prevent the tongue from rising too high in the mouth.
A part called a feather is arranged to indicate when the air passes through the
nostrils, so that the pupil if he thus discovers that he has formed such a habit may
strive to correct it and learn to what extent he succeeds.

page_text: The said apparatus has a small mirror arranged to so reflect this feather that the
pupil may conveniently see it and observe the position of his lips or determine
when all the proper conditions are fulfilled. I prefer to make the said post and
presser adjustable instead of depending upon fixed parts in instruments varying
from each other in size or position of parts. This adjustability, however, is not
essential. By the use of this instrument the pupil will soon become accustomed to
hold the mouth and tongue in proper position without fatigue, and will acquire a
full pure tone.

page_text: preferable to make these parts adjustable instead of depending upon fixed parts in
instruments varying from each other in size or position of parts. This adjustability
however is not essential, except for the purposes set forth.
I also deem it preferable for the purposes specified, but not absolutely necessary,
to employ the extended part A mounted with the indicator and mirror. By the
use of this instrument the pupil will soon becomo accustomed to hold the mouth
and tongue in the proper position without fatigue and will acquire a full pure tone.
The form or configuration of my apparatus may be varied. In Figure 2 the wire
is flexible and the notches a, a¹, will yield when compressed, but are not otherwise
adjustable.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,-
First. An apparatus or instrument in which are combined a presser for depressing
the tongue, and a post or brace for preventing the closing of the mouth of the
person using the said instrument, as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Second. In the said apparatus or instrument the extensible post in combination
with the adjustable presser, as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Third. In the said apparatus or instrument the combination of the post, the
presser, the extension, the feather, and the mirror, as above set forth and for the
purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.