GB2240655A

GB2240655A - Woodwind instruments

Info

Publication number: GB2240655A
Application number: GB9026500A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Richard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-12-07
Filing date: 1990-12-05
Publication date: 1991-08-07
Also published as: GB9026500D0; GB8927747D0

Abstract

A hand held musical pipe wind instrument, particularly a chanter which may be incorporated in a set of bagpipes, having a number of longitudinally and radially spaced tone holes of which some or all of those not arranged to be selectively closed by direct finger action in the manner customary to such an instrument, are arranged in such a manner that they may be closed or opened by the action of the fingers on one or more ring keys or levers; the movement of such ring keys and levers being transmitted via one or more pivots and associated levers, directly or indirectly, to open or close the cover plates (keys) associated with said holes, and the arrangement of this mechanism being such that the movement of certain keys may be brought about independently by the differently fingered movement of more than one lever or ring key. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in woodwind instruments This invention relates to a key system for a musical pipe wind instrument, particularly a bagpipe chanter, which has as its object making available to the player additional notes within and outwith the standard musical compass of the instrument without impairing the ease of operation for the player.

The exact configuration of the parts comprising a set of bagpipes may vary, but all include the hand held variable pitch musical wind pipe known as the chanter. The Scottish Highland, Lowland, and Border bagpipe chanter, the Irish war pipe chanter1 and other bagpipe chanters of similar types (all hereinafter referred to by the term chanter) are normally tuned to what approximates as a major scale within which the seventh note is usually flattened and an additional "flattened seventh" note is provided as a single bottom note below the tonic of this scale.

Eight wall openings spaced along the body of the chanter, which are known as tone holes, are selectively covered by the fingers to produce this scale when at the same time air is forced through the reed at the top of the chanter.

The proposed key system is of the general type in use on instruments such as the Clarinet or Oboe, where pillars secured to the instrument support rods about which tubular sleeves rotate; to these sleeves the keys which cover some of the tone holes, the ring keys which surround some of the holes, and levers, are attached. Such known systems allow the player to play chromatic musical scales on these instruments with relative ease. The proposed keywork system in being designed particularly for the chanter, and having to take account of the different physical characteristics of the chanter pipe body, and a different standard fingering practice, differs itself significantly from these aforementioned systems as indeed they do to one another.One important difference is the fact that the tone holes are generally closer together on the chanter which prohibits a key configuration of the Clarinet or Oboe type. It will be understood however that any part of this present system, although it is specified for the chanter, may be useful on some other hand held musical pipe instrument.

The bagpipe chanter does not normally carry additional keywork of this sort, although there have been some previous designs incorporating additional individual keys. A comprehensive example of such a design is that of Henry Starck described in U.S. Patent 1069200 issued in August 1913. A comparison of Henry Starck's system and the proposed one will serve to highlight some particular and general differences, The proposed system incorporates a number of integrated mechanisms such as double ring keys to control the keys which cover tone holes and make possible the playing of additional notes (chromatic intervals) within the standard scale; In Henry Starck's system keys were activated by the movement of individual key levers only, in a manner similar to that of the "Simple system" flute before the advent of the Boehm system.The proposed system permits the player to play the standard bagpipe scale without any alteration to the standard fingering. In Henry Stark's system for example, the tone hole normally covered by the little finger of the right hand is covered by a key; the proposed system is arranged in such a manner that this change is avoided and thus the player may continue to produce unhindered certain musical ornamentations characteristic of bagpipe music.

In the specification and appended claims which follow reference will be made to the musical pitch of notes on the basis that the fundamental scale of the instrument starts on the note "A", being the note produced when all finger holes are covered except that hole which would normally be covered by the right hand little finger, the note being commonly known as the "six finger note". This reference is for convenience, and it will be understood that the proposed system could equally well apply to an instrument of the kind proposed in which the tonic of the standard scale of the instrument is a note other than "A".Furthermore no specification will be made of exact relative tuning of the notes of the scale, it will be appreciated that fine adjustments to the tuning of notes may be made to instruments of the musical pipe wind type by very small adjustments to the size or position of the tone holes. Finally reference will continue to be made to "ring keys" without a more detailed description being provided on the basis that the manner in which they operate will be understood by anyone familiar with wind musical instruments.

In carrying out this invention there is provided a hand held musical pipe wind instrument, particularly a chanter which may be incorporated in a set of bagpipes, having a number of longitudinally and radially spaced tone holes, of which some or all of those not arranged to be selectively closed by direct finger action in the manner customary to such an instrument are arranged in such a manner that they may be closed or opened by the action of the fingers on one or more ring keys or levers; the movement of such ring keys and levers being transmitted via one or more pivots and associated levers, directly or indirectly, to open or close the cover plates (keys) associated with said holes, and the arrangement of this mechanism being such that the movement of certain keys may be brought about independently by the differently fingered movement of more than one lever or ring key.

Reference is now made to the drawings in which: Figure 1. Shows the keywork of the chanter laid out in the manner of the invention.

Figure 2. Shows a fingering chart indicating the preferred finger positions for each note of the scale.

Figure 1. Shows the key system in a "flattened" perspective in such a manner that the approximate radial location of keywork on the body of the instrument has been indicated by lateral location on the drawing in relation to the front of the chanter represented by its central longitudinal axis. Open tone holes which may be covered by the fingers directly are indicated by Roman numerals, key cover plates are numbered 1 to 15, and other parts such as key levers are labelled alphabetically.

Tone holes I,II,III,and IV may be covered by the little, ring, middle and index fingers of the right hand respectively. The ring keys which surround holes II, III, and IV may lie higher up than the sleeves to which they are attached, when viewed across the top of the instrument, in order to permit the middle joint of the ring, middle and index fingers to cover these holes in the manner customary when playing the chanter. Holes V,VI,and VII may be closed by the ring, middle and index fingers of the left hand respectively, and hole VIII at the back of the instrument may be closed by the left hand thumb. The notes of the standard chanter scale may be played by selectively opening and closing these eight holes in the manner customary to the bagpipe chanter, and without any alteration to the standard chanter fingering (Such fingering being well established and detailed in any standard manual on playing the bagpipe chanter). The method by which additional notes are obtained is described in detail as follows.

Notes extending the compass of the instrument downward, F&num;, F, and E:- Keys 1, 2, and 3 are sprung open, and with all finger holes being closed (fingering for G) the right hand thumb depresses lever A which being pivoted raises lever B of key assembly C to close key 3 and produce note F&num;. The left hand little finger may depress lever G or D.

When lever D is depressed key 2 is closed via sleeve E, closure of key 3 may also be brought about via regulated contact between the two assemblies (for example between arm F and key 3 as illustrated in Figure 1) and note F is produced. When lever G is depressed the motion is transferred via a pivotally supported rod which runs inside sleeve E to key 1, and to which both lever and key are, via sleeves, attached, thus closing key 1; regulated contact between the assemblies supporting keys 1 and 2 (for example between arm H and key 2 as illustrated in Figure 1, and/or between lever G and D) ensures closure of key 2 and thereby key 3, and note E is produced. This integrated mechanism permits the notes E, F, and F&num; to be activated by a single movement of one finger only in each case.The action of the right hand thumb on lever A may reinforce the closure of key 3 whilst levers G or D are being depressed. Lever G may be fitted with a roller to facilitate the movement between notes E and F. The bottom note E may be vented by one or more open holes below key 1, or directly by the open end of the chanter.

Note G&num; is produced when the right hand little finger, whilst still closing hole I, is extended to depress lever J and open key 4 otherwise sprung closed.

Keys 4 and 5 are sprung closed. Keys 6 and 8 are sprung open, key 7 is sprung closed. A rod runs from key post M1 to key post M (and may extend directly through to support key assemblies I and J key posts M an M2 thence being one and the same - not illustrated) all key and ring key assemblies as illustrated in figure 1 are free to rotate around said rod. The rod may be supported by such additional key posts along its length as desired. Key 6 remains closed when either ring key assembly K1 or K2 is closed, K1 acting via regulated contact between levers P and Q, lever Q itself being in regulated contact with the lever extending from key 6.

All finger holes apart from hole I being closed the tonic of the scale, note A is produced; if then lever I is depressed by the left hand little finger key 5 is raised and note A&num; is produced. Keys I and J may be fitted with rollers to facilitate movement between notes G, G#, A and A&num;.

When finger holes I and II are uncovered note B is produced, key 6 remaining closed. When holes I and III are uncovered note C is produced key 6 remaining closed, but key 15, sprung lightly open, opening as a result of lever P being lowered, and giving additional ventilation.

When holes I, II, and III are uncovered key 6 opens producing note C&num;.

When hole It is also uncovered note D is produced, and-when the left hand little finger also depresses lever R key 7 opens and note D&num; is produced. In a variation of this mechanism (not illustrated) ring keys K1 and K2 are integral with lever Q, and lever P is omitted; the notes are fingered as previously described but the note C is no longer vented by open key 15.

Holes II, III, and IV are closed and hole V (and optionally I) are opened, note E is produced. If hole IV is now opened key 8, sprung open but held closed by leverage from either or both ring keys L1 and L2 when they are closed, will open and note F is produced. An alternative method by which the action of ring key assemblies L1 and L2 may be linked is by an external bridge attached to both ring key assemblies (not illustrated). When holes II, III, and IV remain closed and hole V, and VI, ( and optionally I) are opened, note F# is produced. Additional ventilation for F# is provided by key 14 which being lightly sprung open, opens when hole VI is opened and ring key L3 rises.If hole VII is now opened note G is produced, key 9 remaining closed via the lever action of ring key assembly W held closed by the thumb. If hole VII is closed but hole VIII is opened note G&num; is produced, key 9 remaining closed; All left hand holes being uncovered except optionally hole V, key 9 opens by spring action and the octave note A is produced.

The uppermost notes may be produced as follows. There is provided an upper key assembly comprising of one lever and one key being attached to an inner sleeve and another lever and key each attached to outer sleeves, all sleeves being mounted on a pivotally supported rod to which the outer sleeves are attached. With fingering for octave A lever Y is depressed (ideally by the middle joint of the left hand index finger) sprung closed key 10 is raised and high Av is produced. Alternatively lever Z is depressed (ideally by the left hand middle finger middle joint) sprung closed key 11 is raised and high C is produced. A link between the two keys or levers may be provided (not shown) which ensures that when the upper key is raised the lower key also raises to give added ventilation.The intermediary note high B is produced when the left hand thumb depresses lever T and opens key 13 which is otherwise sprung closed. The note high C may be produced when the thumb depresses lever V raising key 12. Lever V may be linked to lever T so that key 13 also raises when lever T is depressed to give additional ventilation to the note C&num;.

The chanter may be fitted with a device known as a register key or speaker key which covers a small hole positioned at a point such, that when it is opened it encourages the formation of the "upper register" of notes. If the said key is opened by pressure on the appropriate lever (the thumb still closing hole VIII) the notes high A, A&num;, B, C, C&num;, and D may be produced by otherwise using the same fingering as described for the equivalent lower notes and as illustrated in the fingering chart Figure 2. It should be noted that the limit of the actual pitch up to which notes in the higher register may be achieved is considered to be more largely a function of the acoustical properties of the wind pipe and the reed, rather than the mechanics of the key system. Furthermore in certain bagpipe chanters such as for example the Scottish Lowland bagpipe chanter, a register key would not alter the pitch of the aforementioned notes by an octave.

It will be understood that the relative position of the actual keys 10, 11, 12, and 13 may be varied in a number of ways such that the holes, whilst being similarly longitudinally positioned to give the notes of the required pitch, may be covered by different keys from within this group of keys. Any one of these keys may be positioned such that it acts as a register key in the manner described in the previous paragraph, said key being available on its own or combined with one or more of the other said keys.

Claims

1. A hand held musical pipe wind instrument, particularly a chanter which may be incorporated in a set of bagpipes, having a number of longitudinally and radially spaced tone holes of which some or all of those not arranged to be selectively closed by direct finger action in the manner customary to such an instrument, are arranged in such a manner that they may be closed or opened by the action of the fingers on one or more ring keys or levers; the movement of such ring keys and levers being transmitted via one or more pivots and associated levers, directly or indirectly, to open or close the cover plates (keys) associated with said holes, and the arrangement of this mechanism being such that the movement of certain keys may be brought about independently by the differently fingered movement of more than one lever or ring key.

2. An instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein the movement of a separate key assembly is brought about by leverage from either or both of two ring keys, the movement of one being controlled by the ring finger of the right hand, and the movement of the other by the middle finger of the right hand, the effect of closing either or both ring keys being to close the key on said key assembly.

3. An instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein the said ring keys whilst still controlling the said key assembly in the manner defined, may move independently of one another, and wherein the ring key controlled by the right hand middle finger may by sprung leverage effect the closure of another lower key assembly, said assembly acting as an additional venting mechanism.

4. An instrument as claimed in claims 2 and 3 wherein the effect of closing the said ring key controlled by the ring finger only, other upstream holes beyond that not now closed by the middle finger being closed, is to produce the note (C) a minor third above the tonic note of the instrument's standard scale (A).

5. An instrument as claimed in claim 4 wherein the mechanism controlled by the middle and ring fingers of the right hand is constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

6. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the movement of a separate key assembly is brought about by leverage from either or both of two ring keys which may be joined directly together, the movement of one being controlled by the index finger of the right hand, and the movement of the other by the ring finger of the left hand, the effect of closing either or both ring keys being to close the key on said key assembly.

7. An instrument as claimed in claim 6 wherein the effect of closing the said ring key controlled by the index finger of the right hand only, other upstream holes beyond that not now closed by the ring finger of the left hand being closed, and optionally one or more finger holes downstream from said index finger being closed, is to produce the note (E) a fifth above the tonic of the instrument s standard scale.

8. An instrument as claimed in claim 6 and 7 wherein the effect of closing neither of the said ring keys and thereby allowing the key on said key assembly to open by spring action, upstream holes beyond said key being closed, and optionally one or more finger holes downstream from the hole not now closed by the right hand index finger being closed, is to produce the note (F) a minor sixth above the tonic note of the instrument's standard scale.

9. An instrument as claimed in claims 6, 7, and 8, wherein said mechanism is constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

10. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the normal musical range of the instrument is extended downwards by means of a lever operated by the right hand thumb which may close a key on a key assembly.

11. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the normal musical range of the instrument is extended downwards by two notes, by means of two levers both operated by the little finger of the left hand, articulation of said levers bringing about the closure of either or both of two keys at the bottom of the instrument, one being attached to a pivotally mounted rod, and the other being attached to a sleeve which revolves around said rod.

12. An instrument as claimed in claim 11 wherein the movement of said keys is linked together in such a manner that operation of one left hand little finger lever will close the upper key, and operation of the other lever will close both keys.

13. An instrument as claimed in claims 10, 11, and 12 wherein the arrangement of said keys articulated by said levers is such that the range of the instrument is extended downwards by three semitones, and the notes produced (F, F#, and E) are a minor third, a major third, and a forth, below the tonic of the instrument's standard scale.

14. An instrument as claimed in claims 10, 11, 12, and 13, wherein the closure of the key on the key assembly referred to in claim 10 may additionally be brought about by a linkage between the mechanism operating either or both of the keys referred to in claim 11 and said key assembly.

15. An instrument as claimed in claims 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 wherein the mechanism controlling said three keys is constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

16. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein closure of a key which is part of a key assembly incorporating said key, a ring key operated by the index finger of the left hand, and a lever, may be brought about by movement of said finger, or movement of the left hand thumb which in closing a ring key on a separate key assembly exerts leverage on the former key assembly.

17. An instrument as claimed in claim 16 wherein the effect of closing neither ring key, (some other downstream holes being optionally also open, ideally as illustrated in figure 2 of the drawings) is to produce the note (A) one octave above the tonic note of the instrument's standard scale.

18. An instrument as claimed in claims 16 and 17 wherein the effect of closing the ring key controlled by said index finger only (some other downstream holes being optionally also open, ideally as illustrated in figure 2 of the drawings) is to produce the note (G&num;) a major seventh above the tonic note of the instrument's standard scale, and the effect of closing the ring key controlled by said thumb only (some other downstream holes being optionally also open ideally as illustrated in figure 2 of the drawings) is to produce the note (G) a minor seventh above the tonic note of the instrument's standard scale.

19. An instrument as claimed in claims 16, 17, and 18 wherein the mechanism controlling said key is constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

20. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein certain additional notes are provided within the normal musical compass of the instrument which are produced by operating certain individual key levers.

21. An instrument as claimed in claim 20 wherein the movement of two keys both controlled by levers operated by the little finger of the right hand may produce respectively the note above (A&num;), and the note below (G&num;), the tonic of the instrument s standard scale, production of the latter note requiring the said finger to simultaneously close the adjacent tone hole.

22. An instrument as claimed in claim 21 wherein the movement of a key controlled by a lever operated by the little finger of the left hand may produce the note (D&num;) an augmented forth above the tonic note of the instrument's standard scale.

23. An instrument as claimed in claims 20, 21, and 22 wherein the construction and arrangement of said keys and levers is substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

24. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein an additional key assembly is provided controlled by the movement of a ring key which may be operated by the middle finger of the left hand, the purpose of said mechanism being to provide additional ventilation for the note F&num;.

25. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein certain additional notes are provided above the normal musical compass of the instrument which are produced by operating one or more individual key levers.

26. An instrument as claimed in claim 25 wherein one or more otherwise sprung closed keys may be opened by leverage from the thumb of the left hand to produce one or two of the notes A&num;, B, C, or C, said notes being respectively 1, 2, 3, and 4 semitones above the note high A referred to in claim 17.

27. An instrument as claimed in claim 25 wherein there is provided a key assembly comprising of one lever and one key being attached to an inner sleeve and another lever and key each attached to outer sleeves, all sleeves being mounted on a pivotally supported rod to which the outer sleeves are attached and the whole assembly being in a position such that the sprung closed keys when opened by operation of said levers produce two notes above the normal musical compass of the instrument.

28. An instrument as claimed in claim 27 wherein said levers may be depressed by the left hand index and middle fingers, and wherein the notes produced are two of the notes referred to in claim 26, such notes not being the same notes as those produced by the action of the left hand thumb as referred to in claim 26.

29. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the said chanter is part of a set of bagpipes.

29. An instrument as claimed in claims 25, 26, 27,and 28, wherein the construction and arrangement of said keys and levers is substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

30. An instrument as claimed in claim 25 wherein there is provided a register key, covering a hole which by virtue of its size and position will, when open, encourage the production of notes one octave above those lower notes referred to previously, for which the fingering otherwise remains the same.

31. An instrument as claimed in claim 30 wherein said key may be opened by the operation of a lever by the left hand thumb, whilst the thumb maintains closure of the adjacent tone hole.

32. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the said chanter is adapted to be part of a set of bagpipes.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A hand held musical pipe wind instrument of the type known as a bagpipe chanter, having its fingered holes arranged in such a manner that standard bagpipe fingering may be maintained when playing the standard bagpipe scale, but having also a number of additional holes, and having attatched to the instrument a system of keywork arranged in such a manner that additional musical notes within and outwith the standard bagpipe scale may be played through the action of the fingers on one or more ring keys or levers; the movement of such ring keys and levers being transmitted via one or more pivots and associated levers to open or close the cover plates associated with said additional holes, and the movement of certain cover plates being brought about independently by the differently fingered movement of more than one lever or ring key.

2. An instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is an additional hole being in distance from the top of the instrument between the holes normally covered by the ring and middle fingers of the right hand, movement of a key to cover said hole being brought about by leverage from either or both of two ring keys which may be joined directly together, the movement of one being controlled by the index finger of the right hand, and the movement of the other by the ring finger of the left hand, the effect of closing either or both ring keys being to close the key.

3. An instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein the effect of closing the said ring key controlled by the index finger of the right hand only, other upstream holes beyond that not now closed by the ring finger of the left hand being closed, and optionally one or more finger holes downstream from said index finger being closed, is to produce the note (E) a fifth above the tonic of the instrument's standard scale: and the effect of opening the ring key controlled by said index finger and thereby allowing the key on said key assembly to open by spring action, other finger positions remaining as stated, is to produce the note (F) a minor sixth above the tonic note of the instrument's standard scale (A).

4. An instrument as claimed in claims 2, and 3, wherein said mechanism is constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

5. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein there is provided an additional hole being in distance from the top of the instrument between those holes normally covered by the index and middle fingers of the right hand, sad hole being coverable by a key on a separate key assembly which may be moved by leverage from either or both of two ring keys which are controlled by the middle and ring fingures of the right hand, the effect of closing either or both ring keys being to close the key on said key assembly, and-the effect of closing the ring finger ring key only, other upstream holes beyond that not now closed by the middle finger being closed, is to produce the note (C) a minor third above the tonic note of the instrument's standard scale (A).

6. An instrument as claimed in claim 5 wherein the said ring keys whilst still controlling the said key assembly in the manner defined, may move independently of one another, and wherein the ring key controlled by the right hand middle finger may by sprung leverage effect the closure of another lower key assembly, covering another additional but lower hole, said assembly acting as an additional venting for the minor third note.

7. An instrument as claimed in claims 5 and 6 wherein the mechanism controlled by the middle and ring fingers of the right hand is constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

8. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the normal musical range of the instrument is extended downwards by means of a lever operated by the right hand thumb which may close a key on a key assembly covering an additional. hole below the lowest fingered hole.

9. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the normal musical range of the instrument is extended downwards by two notes, by means of two levers both operated by the little finger of the left hand, articulation of said levers bringing about the closure of either or both of two keys located over two new additional holes at the bottom of the instrument, one key assembly being attached to a pivotally mounted rod, and the other being attached to a sleeve which revolves around said rod.

10. An instrument as claimed in claim 9 wherein the movement of said keys is linked together in such a manner that operation of one left hand little finger lever will close the upper key, and operation of the other lever will close both keys.

11. An instrument as claimed in claims 8, 9, and 10 wherein the arrangement of said keys articulated by said levers is such that the range of the instrument is extended downwards by three semitones, and the notes produced (F, F&num;, and E) are a minor third, a major third, and a forth, below the tonic of the instrument's standard scale.

12. An instrument as claimed in claims 8, 9, 10, and 11, wherein the closure of the key on the key assembly referred to in claim 8 may additionally be brought about by a linkage between the mechanism operating either or both of the keys referred to in claim 9 and said key assembly.

13. An instrument as claimed in claims 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 wherein the mechanism controlling said three keys is constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

14. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein closure of a key which is part of a key assembly incorporating said key, a ring key operated by the index finger of the left hand and a lever, may be brought about by movement of said finger or movement of the left hand thumb which in closing a ring key on a separate key assembly exerts leverage on the former key assembly; and wherein the effect of closing neither ring key (some other downstream holes being optionally also open, ideally as illustrated in figure 2 of the drawings) is to produce the note (A) one octave above the tonic note of the instrument's standard scale.

15. An instrument as claimed in claims 14 wherein the effect of closing the ring key controlled by said index finger only (some other downstream holes being optionally also open, ideally as illustrated in figure 2 of the drawings) is to produce the note (G#) a major seventh above the tonic note of the instrument's standard scale, and the effect of closing the ring key controlled by said thumb only (some other downstream holes being optionally also open ideally as illustrated in figure 2 of the drawings) is to produce the note (G) a minor seventh above the tonic note of the instrument's standard scale.

16. An instrument as claimed in claims 14 and 15 wherein the mechanism controlling said key is constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

17. An instrument.as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein certain additional notes are provided within the normal musical compass of the instrument which are produced by operating certain individual key levers.

18. An instrument as claimed in claim 17 wherein the movement of two keys both controlled by levers operated by the little finger of the right hand may produce respectively the note above (A#), and the note below (G#), the tonic of the instrument's standard scale, production of the latter note requiring the said finger to simultaneously close the adjacent tone hole.

19. An instrument as claimed in claim 17 wherein the movement of a key controlled by a lever operated by the little finger of the left hand may produce the note (D#) an augmented forth above the tonic note of the instrument's standard scale.

20. An instrument as claimed in claims 17, 18, and 19 wherein the construction and arrangement of said keys and levers is substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

21. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein an additional hole is provided lower than the left hand middle finger hole which may be covered with a key controlled by the movement of a ring key which may be operated by the middle finger of the left hand, the purpose of said mechanism being to provide additional ventilation for the note F&num;.

22. An instrument as claimed in claim 21, wherein the construction and arrangement of said mechanism is substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

23. An instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein certain additional notes are provided above the normal musical compass of the instrument which are produced by operating one or more individual key levers which may open keys from additional holes above that hole normally covered by the left hand thumb.

24. An instrument as claimed in claim 23 wherein one or more otherwise sprung closed keys may be opened by leverage from the thumb of the left hand to produce one or two of the notes A#, B, C, or C#, said notes being respectively 1, 2, 3, and 4 semitones above the note high A referred to in claim 14.

25. An instrument as claimed in claim 23 wherein there is provided a key assembly comprising of one lever and one key being attached to an inner sleeve and another lever and key each attached to outer sleeves, all sleeves being mounted on a pivotally supported rod to which the outer sleeves are attached and the whole assembly being in a position such that the sprung closed keys when opened by operation of said levers by the fingers of the left hand produce two notes above the normal musical compass of the instrument.

26. An instrument as claimed in claims 23, 24,and 25, wherein the construction and arrangement of said keys and levers is substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

27. An instrument as claimed in claim 23 wherein there is provided a register key, covering a hole which by virtue of its size and position will, when open, encourage the production of notes one octave above those lower notes referred to previously, for which the fingering otherwise remains the same.

28. An instrument as claimed in claim 27 wherein said key may be opened by the operation of a lever by the left hand thumb, whilst the thumb maintains closure of the adjacent tone hole.