Improvements or in (Self Instructing) System for Teaching Acquiring a Knowledge of Playing the "Piano," Organ," or "Harmonium."
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 24th Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 27th Jan., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements
or
in (Self Instructing) System for Teaching
Acquiring a Knowledge of Playing the "Piano," Organ," or
"Harmonium."
STEPHEN GILHAM of 45 Blackett Street, Newcastle on Tyne, in the County of
Northumberland, Mechanical and Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
My principle and method is accomplished, by placing an indicating chart apparatus
the whole length of the keyboard, and fitting distinctly upon and over each key; in
such a manner so as to enable the performer to see at a glance the name of each key
in its proper place, the name of each accidental in its proper place, the name of each
Sharp & Flat in its proper place, and all the relative positions of notes, placed on
their proper lines and spaces exactly opposite and over each corrisponding key of
keyboard; in such a way so that any person (and especially very young persons) not
previously knowing anything whatever of the various names of Notes," Signs," or
Lines," may be able to understand at a glance how to read Music.
23
☑
*
My principle or system can be used either for "Staff; or Tonic Sol Fa Notation
of Music.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in (Self Instructing) System
Acquiring a Knowledge of Playing the
Harmonium.
or
for Teaching
Piano, Organ, or
I STEPHEN GILHAM of Newcastle upon Tyne in the County of Northumberland,
Mechanical and Consulting Engineer, Address No. 45 Blackett Street Newcastle
upon Tyne, 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:-
i
My Improved Method for acquiring a knowledge of the keyboard of the various
Instruments, mentioned, is accomplished by placing a moveable indicating chart
apparatus, fitted upon & over the keys of the Piano, Organ, or Harmonium.
The chari apparatus having indents manufactured along its lower edge, and fits
down over each key in their regular order. Directly over each key will be shown its
corresponding note or accidental mark along the chart apparatus, and between the
indents will be shewn letters indicating the natural notes, above these again will be
presented the corresponding music notes; That is to say a large view will be drawn
out of the stave lines & spaces with their notes corresponding to each key and letter
lus enabling a learner to become acquainted with the relative position of all the
keys upon the keyboard of the various Musical Instruments, & their relative value
to the notes lines & spaces, sharps, flats, or accidentals, that is imprinted or drawn
upon the said chart; the chart apparatus is made of any suitable sheet material, such
as cardboard, measuring about the length of keyboard, the lower edge of chart having
indents, or pieces cut out, so as to fit it upon the keys in position. Over the indents,
black blocks are imprinted, and upon or at the side of these appear Music symbols,
corresponding to the lettering, which is between the indents; Again over the indents
or blocks is a fingering strip, (or flaps) to enable the learner to practice fingering
exercises & scales. This first fingering (figured or imprinted,) sliding strip is
preferred to the flaps, and is made of the same material as the chart, and about the
length of two octaves, for each hand, having figured & lettered marks upon it.
This sliding strip moves along the face of the chart, according to the different
keys, scales, or fingering exercises, to be taught progressively, thus showing the
learner, the different keys & scales which are imprinted on the said sliding strip; how
to proceed in progression upon the keyboard. Above this on chart is imprinted
large Stave lines & Spaces, with notes upon them, corresponding to letters, symbols,
and fingering figures, each in their relative octaves, & order of lines & spaces.
Instructions are imprinted or drawn upon the instructor Chart, showing how to
proceed through the various stages of elementary Music teaching, including the value
of notes, & keys upon the various instruments mentioned. My instructor or Chart
system will enable a learner to become more readily acquainted with the tutor
book, & keyboard, by the Chart apparatus being placed between the tutor book &
keyboard.
E

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING.
The accompanying Sheet of Drawings, illustrate my Keyboard Instructor, and the
mode in which I purpose to carry my Improvement into operation.
Figure 1. is a view of the apparatus, on which is a description as follows:-
a. Denotes the indents along the lower odge of Chart apparatus, to enable it to fit
over the black or raised keys of keyboard.
6. The accidentals, sharp or flat symbols.
c. Relates to the natural letters along the chart, to illustrate the white keys along
the keyboard.
d. The music notes, Stave lines and Spaces. Upon which are imprinted the notes,
directly over each key.
flat keys.
e. The black or imprinted blocks, over the sharp
Figure 2. shews to view, both sides of sliding strips (or flaps) which are attached
to the face of the Chart apparatus. Directly over the black imprinted blocks, the
strips move along in progression, to suit different keys and scales to be played. If
flaps are used they will be arranged to lift up or down to suit.
9. The description how to proceed in progressive lessons, Numbered from I to 6.
9. Reference table of Scales, shewing Accidentals, Sharps and Flats in progression
to he used in conjunction with sliding strips (or flaps)
3. Is a table showing the Comparative Value of Notes.
h. Is the Sol fah sliding sirip, or transposing scale and is also marked Figure 3.
By this arrangement of Chart, a more ready and simple method of acquiring the
knowledge or art of reading the notes, and playing the keys, of Piano, Organ, or
Harmonium. And it is accomplished by placing my simple light, and easy
adjustable Chart upon the keyboard, of any of the various instruments, it will cause
a great saving of time to young beginners whereby they may obtain a more
speedy knowledge of reading Music, knowing the keyboard, and how to play it,
and it is capable of imparting the elementary portion of Music at a glance; and
may be used as a Music Modulator and Catechism, serving for thorough drill in
primary work.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of my Im-
provements, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
1 claim is
1st. A moveable and adjustable Chart apparatus, made of thin sheet material,
with sliding strips (or flaps) attached.
2nd. The indents on the said chart; cut out to fit upon and over the keys of
keyboard.
3rd. The figured sliding strips (or flaps,) for teaching the fingering exercises, also
scales and tonic Sol fah, form of notation.
4th. Sliding strips (or flaps) for shewing where accidental notes occur upon the
said chart, when teaching in progression.
Dated this 23rd day of November 1887.