IMPROVEMENTS IN PIANOFORTES AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WHEREIN KEYBOARDS ARE USED.
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Monington and John Weston, both of Camden
Town, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PIANOFORTES AND OTHER
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WHEREIN KEYBOARDS ARE USED.'
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Monington and John
65
Weston at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th April 1877.
JAMES MONINGTON and JOHN WESTON, both of Camden Town. IMPROVEMENTS
IN PIANOFORTES AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WHEREIN KEYBOARDS ARE
USED."
The object of this Invention is to facilitate instruction on the pianoforte and on
other musical instruments having keyboards. For this purpose we construct the
instrument so as to present to the performer a note indicator, which extends from
one end to the other of the keyboard.
On the note indicator are printed or otherwise marked the musical notes, each of
which latter has its position immediately in front of and corresponding to the
different keys of the instrument, in such a manner that the performer on touching
any particular key may by merely glancing at the indicator see the note correspond-
ing thereto, thus saving the time and trouble of counting over the keys of the
instrument.
The note indicator may be used in any suitable manner on all kinds of the before-
mentioned musical instruments, but we prefer to carry out the Invention in the
following manner :-Commencing directly at the back ends of the key we make the
framework of the instrument to slope backwards and upwards in the form of the
arc of a circle, the upper portion of the slope is made hollow and projects somewhat
above the surface of the lower portion. Into this hollow portion we fit a sliding
leaf to which we affix the note indicator, which by suitable handles may be readily
drawn down and presented to the view of the performer, or may be hidden from
view by pushing it upwards into the hollow portion of the slope. The sloping
frame may also be used as a music rest, thus superseding the separate music rest
usually fixed to such instruments.

page_text: To the upper edge of the slope we connect by means of hinges the cover, which
we make to fit over both sloping frame and keyboard and fasten by lock and key in
the usual manner.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Monington and John Weston in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 24th October 1877.
JAMES MONINGTON and JOHN WESTON, both of Camden Town.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN PIANOFORTES AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WHEREIN KEYBOARDS ARE
USED.
"
The object of this Invention is to facilitate instruction on the pianoforte and on
other musical instruments having keyboards. For this purpose we construct the
instrument so as to present to the performer a note indicator, which extends from
one end to the other of the keyboard.
On the note indicator are printed or otherwise marked the musical notes, each of
which latter has its position immediately in front of and corresponding to the
different keys of the instrument, in such a manner that the performer on touching
any particular key may by merely glancing at the indicator see the, note correspond-
ing thereto, thus saving the time and trouble of counting over the keys of the
instrument.
The note indicator may be used in any suitable manner on all kinds of the before-
mentioned musical instruments, but we prefer to carry out the Invention in the
following manner :-Commencing directly at the back ends of the keys we make tho
key or name board of the instrument to slope backwards and upwards in the form
of the arc of a circle or any suitable slope. Over this arc portion we fit a sliding
leaf made of metal to which we affix the note indicator, which by a suitable con-
struction may be readily drawn down and presented to the view of the performer,
or may be hidden from view by pushing it upwards into the hollow portion of the
front or fall of the instrument when not required by the performer or pupil.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in which the
same is to be constructed, we wish it to be understood that we do not limit
ourselves to the precise details herein-before described, as the same may be varied
without departing from the nature or principle of our Invention; what we claim
as our Inventon is, improvements in pianofortes and other musical instruments for
educational purposes, as showing at pleasure an indicator of notes corresponding to
the different keys of the instrument, substantially as herein described, or any mere
variation or modification thereof.
In witness whereof, we, the said James Monington and John Weston, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Eighth day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.