AN IMPROVED INSTRUMENT OB "TONOLOGUE' TO BE USED IN TEACHING • Music
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 58, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"AN IMPROVED INSTRUMENT OB "TONOLOGUE' TO BE USED IN TEACHING •
Music."-A communication from abroad by Ferdinand Bellour,
and Mathieu Carbonel, both of Marseilles, Bouches du Rhône,
France.
Sealed the 16th June 1874, and dated the 26th December 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 26th December 1873.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
5 County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED INSTRUMENT OR 'TONOLOGUE' TO HE
USED IN TEACHING Music," to be as follows:-

page_text: The instrument may be composed of a circular or disc-like case
formed of two outside discs united together at their circumference, with
sufficient space between them for a third or inner disc to rotate in.
In the accompanying Drawing Figure 1 shows one face of the inner
disc with a musical stave and sharps in their musical order, and also the
names of the different major and minor keys, and the sensible notes of
the latter.
Figure 2 shows the other face of the disc with the same in flats.
"
Figures 3 and 4 show the two outer discs which are precisely alike,
each having a curved aperture F for exhibiting the signatures (sharps or
flats) on the stave, and small apertures I, J, separated by a division G,
and situated diametrically opposite to aperture F for exhibiting the
name of the various keys which the said signatures indicate.
Figure 5 shows the "tonologue" as adjusted for illustrating the first
example of its use herein-after referred to, in which case there are no
sharps or flats in the stave. Figure 6 shows the same, as adjusted for
explaining the second oxample of its application with four sharps in the
stave.
Figure 7 shows an edge view of the instrument on the line C, D,
Figure 5.
Lastly. Figure 8 shows a section of the "tonologue" taken through
the line A, B, of Figure 5.
The outer discs or case are cut away at K, K, so as to leave about one-
fifth of the circumference m of the inner disc exposed as shown. This
inner disc P is fitted to rotate on a pivot r which holds all three discs
together, and may be a screw and nut as at X, Figures 7 and 8, or a simple
rivet. Each side of the inner disc has marked on it a musical stavo Z
curved to correspond to the aperture Fat which it is to be exhibited, and
marked with the treble or G clef. The stave on the one side of the disc
bears the seven sharps, and that on the other side the seven flats in
their proper musical order.
Upon cach side of the discs are also inscribed between the radial
divisions o, o, o, the names of the several major and minor koys indicated
by the signatures on the stave, together with the sensible note of the

page_text: .
minor mode. These form three series so arranged that on turning
the disc P they will appear in succession, one of each series being
shown simultaneously at the apertures I, J, of the outer discs at the
same time that a greater or less portion of the stave is exhibited at the
aperture F.
Annexed to the apertures I, J, are the words major, minor, and
sensible, to indicate the three series of names above referred to. The
outer disc also bears a direction to the effect that the sensible note
determines whether the mode is minor.
) By means of this instrument the key or tonality of any piece of
music may be at once ascertained, a point upon which the teacher is
continually obliged to instruct the pupil, the latter having great
difficulty in acquiring and retaining this knowledge. Thus if asked the
key of a piece having a certain number of sharps or flats in the clef, the
5 pupil will sometimes reply that it is in such a major key, but cannot tell
in most cases the relative minor key; or if he can, he cannot distinguish
a major from a minor key having the same "signature."
This improved instrument furnishes a ready means of answering the
above questions. For example, to ascertain the key of a piece of music..
) when there is no signature, that is to say, no sharps or flats to the clef,
the inner disc is first turned until the treble clef only appears at the.
aperture F, as in Figure 5, whereupon the words "O major," "A"
minor," "gsensible note," may be read off at apertures I, J. Thus
the piece will be in O major, or in A minor if the G be sharpened.
Again, if it is desired to ascertain the key of a piece written in four
sharps, turn the disc P until four sharps are shown at aperture' F,
Figure 6, when it will be seen that it is in E major, or 0# minor if
the (which is the sensible note) be sharpened in the course of the
piece.
The method of using the apparatus is exactly the same in the case of
the flats.
'
The characteristic feature of the instrument is that it solves only one
question at a time, so that the person consulting it is not liable to be
3

page_text: The apparatus may may be made of rectilinear, curved, or other form,
and with characters formed in relief, or otherwise adapted for the use of
the blind.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Olark in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 25th June 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53; Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special
licence that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, admi- ]
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander
Melville Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great 2
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "AN IMPROVED INSTRUMENT OR 'TONOLOGUE' TO BE USED IN TEACHING
Music," a communication to me from abroad by Ferdinand Bellour, and
Mathieu Carbonel, both of Marseilles, Bouches du Rhône, France, upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Melville 2
Clark, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing,
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in
the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and im-
mediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
•
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom. 3

page_text: panying Sheet of Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon
(that is to say):-
This Invention relates to an instrument for ascertaining the key or
tonality of a piece of music..
The instrument may be composed of a circular or disc-like case
formed of two outside discs united together at their circumference by
screws, rivets, soldering, or otherwise, with sufficient space between
them for a third or inner disc to rotate in.
In the accompanying Drawing Figure 1 shows one face of the inner
disc with a musical stave, and sharps in their musical order, and also the
names of the different major and minor keys, and the "seventh” of.
each of the latter.
Figure 2 shows the other face of the disc with the same in flats.
Figures 3 and 4 show the two outer discs, which are precisely alike,
each having a curved aperture F for exhibiting the signatures # or b on
the stave, and small apertures I, J, for exhibiting the names of the
various keys which the said signatures indicate.
Figure 5 shows the "tonologuo" as adjusted for illustrating the first
example of its use herein-after referred to, in which case there are no
sharps or flats in the stave. Figure 6 shows the same as adjusted for
explaining the second example of its application with four sharps in the
stave.
Figure 7 shows an edge view of the instrument on the line C, D,
Figure 5.
Lastly. Figure 8 shows a section of the "tonologue" taken through
the line A, B, of Figure 5.
The two outer discs E are alike in form, and are each provided near
the edge with a circular aperture F extending about one-third of the
circumference of the diso. Below this aperture, and perpendicular, to
the middle of the same, is another smaller radial aperture divided at G
into two unequal parts I, J, the upper-aperturo-I being about twice the
height of the lower aperture J. The outer discs or case are cut away
at K, K, so as to leave about one-fifth of the circumference m of the
inner disc exposed as shown. The inner disc P, which is of rather
.

page_text: smaller diameter than the outer case is fitted to rotate on a pivot r
which holds all three discs together and may be a screw and nut, as
at X, Figures 7 and 8, or a simple rivet. Each side of the inner diso
has marked on it a musical stavo Z curved to correspond to the
aperture F at which it is to be exhibited, and marked with the treble 5
or G clef. The stave on the one side of the disc bears the seven
sharps, and that on the other side the seven flats in their proper musical
order.
•
i
Upon each side of the discs are also inscribed between the radial
divisions o, o, o, the names of the several major and minor keys 1
indicated by the signatures on the stave, together with the seventh of
the minor mode. These form three series so arranged that on turning
the diso P they will appear in succession, one of each series being shown
simultaneously at the apertures I, J, of the outer discs at the same time
that a greater or less portion of the stavo is exhibited at the aperture F. 1
The face H of the inner disc bears flats instead of sharps, and all the
keys corresponding to those on the opposite face Z.
Annexed to the apertures I, J, are the words major, minor, and
seventh, to indicate the three series of names above referred to. The
outer disc also bears a direction to the effect that the seventh determines 20
the minor mode.
In using the instrument it is held by the edge between the thumb
and finger of the left hand with the large aperture towards the palm.
The forefinger of the right hand is applied to the edge of the rotary
disc where it is exposed by the recess in the outer discs, and a slight 2
movement from right to left imparted thereto to bring it to the desired
position. In holding the instrument the thumb of the right hand
should touch that of the left.
By means of this instrument the key or tonality of any piece of
music may be at once ascertained, a point upon which the teacher is 8
continually obliged to instruct the pupil, the latter having great
difficulty in acquiring and retaining this knowledge. Thus if asked the
key of a piece having a certain number of sharps or flats in the clef tho
pupil will sometimes reply that it is in such a minor key, but cannot
tell, in most cases, the relative minor key, or if so, cannot distinguish a 3
major from a minor key having the same signature,

page_text: This improved instrument furnishes a ready means of answering the
above questions. For example, to ascertain the key' of a piece of
music when there is no signature, that is to say, no sharps or flats to the
clef, the inner disc is first turned until the treble clef only appears at
the aperture. F, as in Figure 5, whereupon the words “C major,” “A
minor," "g seventh," may be read off at apertures I, J. Thus the
piece will be in O major, or in A minor if the g be sharpened.
Again if it is desired to ascertain the key of a piece written in four
sharps turn the disc P until four sharps are shown at aperture F, Figure
6, when it will be seen that it is in E major, or C# minor if the 6, which
is the seventh, be sharpened in the course of the piece..
.
The method of using the apparatus is exactly the same in the case of
the flats.
The characteristic feature of the instrument is that it solves only one
question at a time, so that the person consulting it is not liable to be
confused by a number of other solutions juxtaposed, as is the case when
arranged in tabular form.
Although the apparatus is described as being circular in form, as
shown in the Drawing, in order to facilitate the description of the same
it will be understood that it may be made of any other form desired,
such as rectilinear, spheroidal, oval, convex, or concave. It may also
be made of any dimensions, from the largest size suited for use before
large numbers down to very small sizes capable of being adapted to all
kinds of articles of jewellery, rings, medals, earrings, and watches. It
may also be made of any material, such as mother-of-pearl, tortoise-
shell, bone, ground or other glass, or of metal, such as gold, silver,
copper, or platinum.
The tonologue may also be arranged with relief characters, or other-
wiso adapted for the use of the blind.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declaro that what I claim as the Invention to
be protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
The arrangement of apparatus substantially as herein specified, con-
sisting of discs or plates provided with apertures and inscribed in the
manner described, the whole constituting the improved instrument

page_text: called a "tonologue," to be used for ascertaining the key or tonality of
‹a piece of music.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Olark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of June,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy- |
four.