GB2427960A

GB2427960A - Finger mounting means with adjustable plectrum

Info

Publication number: GB2427960A
Application number: GB0513521A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Sinclair
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-01
Filing date: 2005-07-01
Publication date: 2007-01-10
Also published as: WO2007003931A1; GB0513521D0

Abstract

A device for picking the strings of a stringed musical instrument, the said device comprising a mounting portion for mounting on a finger; and a picking portion for manipulation against the strings; wherein the picking portion and the mounting portion are adapted to be connected together during use in such a manner that one can move with respect to the other. Connections may be made by magnets, hook and loop fasteners, threaded members or male-female engagable fasteners.

Description

DEVICE FOR PICKING THE STRINGS OF A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT

The present invention relates to a device for picking the strings of a musical instrument; particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a device for picking the strings of a guitar.

The modern guitarist or bassist or player of other stringed instruments may employ a variety of pick playing and picklss techniques - sometime n th. crse_of asingie composition or even during a single phrase. For the purposes of this document "pick playing" techniques involve the use of a picking device to create the sound whereas pickless techniques do not. In the latter case, finger picking may nevertheless be employed and a pick device may still be held ready for use when the player wishes to revert to a pick-playing technique. Examples of pickless styles include classical and country finger-picking, claw-hammer, tapping, hammer-ons, slapping, and flamenco.

Pick playing styles include alternate picking, strumming, linear picking, chops, scraping, harmonics and whistles.

Traditionally guitar picks, (also known as plectra), are held between the finger and thumb and drawn across the strings of a musical instrument to create the desired sound.

When a player wishes to alternate between pick playing and pickless styles he must release or reposition the pick for pickless play and then grab or manipulate the pick and put it back into position in order to use it. The changeover between pick-playing and pickless play leads to a loss of fluidity of play. Another drawback of conventional picks is that they may be dropped and lost during play.

US 5973243 describes a device for picking the strings of a musical instrument that can be mounted on the finger of a player and that sets out to facilitate a switch between pick-playing and finger-picking. The device comprises a ring portion attached to a pick portion.

A drawback of the device described in US 5973243 is that it does not lend itself to flexibility of play and to comfort. The present invention sets out to overcome these problems.

According to the invention there is provided a device for picking the strings of a stringed musical instrument, the said device comprising a mounting portion for mounting on a finger, and a picking portion for manipulation against the strings, wherein the picking portion and the mounting portion are adapted to be connected together during use in such a manner that one can move with respect to the other.

Such an arrangement has the advantage that it provides flexibility and adjustability. The angle of the picking portion may be adjusted to provide different positioning with respect to the guitar strings during play. By allowing the picking portion and the mounting portion to move with respect to one another greater control is afforded as it allows the user to determine how tightly or loosely the pick is gripped relative to the finger.

It is preferred that the mounting portion is made from a resilient material. An advantage of such an arrangement is that, in addition to enabling movement of the pick relative to the mounting portion, the mounting portion can adapt to different sizes of finger and can be mounted at different points on a finger.

The picking portion may be removably attached to the mounting portion. Such an arrangement has the advantage that different types of picking portion may be attached to the mounting portion depending on the style of play and musical effects desired. In addition the device can be packed flat for compactness.

Preferably, the mounting portion is in the form of a ring so that it fits easily around the finger of a player.

The mounting portion may be an elongate resilient strip in the form of a spiral.

Alternatively, the mounting portion may be an elongate resilient strip in the form of a helix.

It is further preferred that the device is configured such that a surface of the picking portion can extend in a plane substantially tangential to a finger when the mounting portion in mounted on the finger. Such an arrangement allows the fingers to manipulate the strings without the pick interfering with play, and the pick can be easily clenched between the fingers to be used in a conventional way.

One of the picking portion and the mounting portion may be provided with a male member projecting radially outwards therefrom, and the other of the picking portion and the mounting portion may be provided with a female member operatively associated with the male member, such that the male member can engage the female member so as to fix the mounting portion to the picking portion during use.

One of the mounting portion and the picking portion may be provided with a magnet and the other of the picking portion and the mounting portion may be provided with a portion of magnetic material such that the mounting portion is attachable to the picking portion by way of magnetic attraction between the magnet and the magnetic material.

Alternatively, one of the mounting portion and the picking portion may be provided with a first magnet, and the other of the picking portion and mounting portion may be provided with a second magnet such that the mounting portion is attachable to the picking portion by way of magnetic attraction between opposing poles of the first and second magnets.

One of the picking portion and the mounting portion may be provided with a hooked fastener portion and the other of the mounting portion and the picking portion may be provided with a looped fastener portion, so that the mounting portion can be attached to the picking portion by cooperation between the loop fastener portion and the hook fastener portion.

The mounting portion and the picking portion may be connected by an articulated connection.

The picking portion may be attached to the mounting portion through an intermediate joint, which may comprise a resilient material.

A resilient strip may be mounted on a surface of the picking portion and the mounting portion may be arranged to pass between the strip and the picking portion such that the strip holds the mounting portion against the picking portion.

Alternatively a clip may be integrally formed on a surface of the picking portion and the mounting portion may be arranged to pass between the strip and the picking portion such that the strip holds the mounting portion against the picking portion.

The picking portion may be provided with at least one aperture and the mounting portion may comprise a flexible elongate section that is adapted to pass through the or each aperture.

The picking portion may comprise two apertures and the mounting portion may comprise an elastomeric ring that defines the said flexible elongate section.

The picking portion may comprise a single aperture and an intermediate elastomeric member may be threaded through the said aperture and through a further aperture provided in a part of the mounting portion that is adapted to at least partly encircle a finger during use.

Preferably the angle between the mounting portion and the picking portion is adjustable.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a device for picking the strings of an instrument according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 mounted on the forefinger of a player; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 being used to pluck the strings of a guitar; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 mounted on the forefinger of a player while the player is finger picking; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a device for picking the strings of an instrument according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a device for picking the strings of an instrument according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a device for picking the strings of an instrument according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a device for picking the strings of an instrument according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a device for picking the strings of an instrument according to a sixth embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a device for picking the strings of an instrument according to a seventh embodiment of the invention; Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a device for picking the strings of an instrument according to an eighth embodiment of the invention; and Figure 12 is a close up partial view of the device of Figure 11.

Referring to Figure 1, a device 10 for picking the strings of a musical instrument according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises a picking portion 11 for picking the strings of a musical instrument such as a guitar, and an elastomeric ring 12, which defines a mounting portion for mounting the device upon a finger. The picking portion 11 is generally in the form of a conventional flat pick and therefore comprises two opposing generally triangular planar surfaces having a common tip 17, forming the apex of the picking portion, and an opposing edge defining a base 18. The tip 17 and the base 18 are interconnected by two opposing edges 15 and 16. Two apertures 13 and 14 are provided in a region of the picking portion 11 adjacent the base 18 and distal the tip 17. These apertures extend through the picking portion 11 from one planar surface to the other planar surface. The elastomeric ring 12 is threaded through apertures 15 and 16 so as to attach it to the picking portion 11. The elastomeric ring 12 is moveable through the picking portion 11.

Figure 2 illustrates the device 10 of Figure 1 mounted on the forefinger 125 of a user.

i'he elastomeric ring 12 is positioned between the upper joints of the finger 125. The device is mounted such that the planar surfaces of the picking portion 11 extend in a plane substantially tangential to the forefinger 125 and the tip 17 of the picking portion points in substantially the same direction as the forefinger 125 when it is extended. The picking portion 11 and/or the elastomeric ring 12 may be moved relative to each other and/or the finger.

Figure 3 illustrates the device 10 of Figure 1 being used to manipulate the strings 19 of a guitar. The picking portion 11 is gripped between the forefinger 125 and the thumb 124 of the user with the tip 17 of the picking portion 11 directed towards the strings 19 in a generally conventional orientation.

During play the picking portion 11 and the elastomeric ring move resiliently with respect to one another, thereby enabling the user to control the degree to which the picking portion 11 moves relative to the finger during play in a generally conventional manner. This allows the player to use the device to achieve the desired musical expression without having to learn any new playing techniques. This differs from the prior art devices, where the inflexible relationship between the picking portion and the mounting portion inevitably interferes with the player's technique.

The picking portion II may be positioned at different circumferential, tangential and axial positions on the forefinger 125, thereby providing flexibility of play. This flexibility not only enables the user to adopt familiar grip positions, but also new ones, as the elastomeric ring 12 can be used to introduce an additional level of support.

Figure 4 illustrates the device of Figure 1 mounted by way of the elastomeric ring on the forefinger 125 of a user who is using the forefinger 125 to pluck the strings 19 of the guitar. The picking portion 11 is positioned on the upper surface of the forefinger 125 so as not to interfere with the finger-picking of the strings 19. The player is therefore able to alternate easily between finger-styles of play and flatpicking, whilst retaining the picking portion on the finger. This results in an enhanced fluidity of play.

Referring to Figure 5, a device 20 for picking the strings of an instrument according to a second embodiment of the invention comprises a picking portion 21 and an elastomeric ring 22 defining a mounting portion for mounting on a finger. The picking portion 21 has the same basic shape as the picking portion 11 of the first embodiment. A snap fastener stud 24 is provided on the ring 22 and is arranged such that it projects radially outwards from the ring 22. A snap fastener socket 23 associated with the stud 24 is provided on a surface of the pick in a region distal the tip 27. The stud 24 may be engaged in the socket 23 to attach the ring 22 to the picking portion 21 in a largely conventional manner.

The two elements of the snap fastener 23, 24 allow free relative rotation about the longitudinal axis of the stud when connected together, to allow easy adjustment of the angle of the picking portion 21 relative to the finger in use. However, the abutting surfaces of the two snap fastener components may alternatively be provided with formations which interfere in such a manner as to constrain or eliminate such rotary movement, thereby allowing the orientation of the picking portion to the constrained during use.

The use of such a two-piece fastener is particularly desirable, as it provides all of the above advantages of the invention along with additional advantages. Those additional advantages arise because a different picking portion may be swapped for the original picking portion, without demounting the ring 22 from the finger. This means that a picking portion having a different shape, size or thickness could be quickly deployed, for example, or the picking portion could simply be replaced when worn or broken.

It will be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, disposition of the stud 24 and the socket 23 could be swapped.

Many alternative embodiments of the invention employing different methods of attaching the picking portion to the mounting portion are possible within the scope of the invention. Examples of these will be described below.

Referring to Figure 6, a device 30 for picking the strings of an instrument according to a third embodiment of the invention comprises a picking portion 31 and an elastomeric ring 32 which are substantially identical to those of the second embodiment. This embodiment differs in that a magnet 34 is provided on the radially outer surface of the ring 32 and a steel seat 33 is provided on a surface of the picking portion 31 in a region distal the tip 37. The magnetic attraction between the magnet 34 and the seat 33 is used to fix the ring 32 to the picking portion 31 during use.

Although in this embodiment the picking portion is provided with a steel seat, it may be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, any type of magnetic material may be provided on the picking portion. Moreover, it will also be appreciated that the picking portion may be provided with the magnet and the mounting portion may be provided with the seat. In further embodiments the mounting portion or picking portion itself may be made from a magnetic material and the other component may be provided with a magnet. In each case, the magnetic force of attraction between the magnet and the magnetic material forms the means of fixing the mounting portion to the picking portion.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments of the invention, a first magnet may be provided on the picking portion and a second magnet may be provided on the mounting portion. In such embodiments the first magnet and the second magnet will be orientated such that, in use, opposing poles of the magnets face one another and the magnetic attraction between the opposing poles forms the means of fixing the mounting portion to the fixing portion. For example, the first magnet may be mounted on the mounting portion such that the north pole of the magnet faces radially outwards therefrom and the second magnet may be mounted on the picking portion such that, in use, the south pole of the second magnet faces towards the north pole of the first magnet. Alternatively, the first magnet may be mounted on the mounting portion such that the south pole of the magnet faces radially outwards therefrom and the second magnet may be mounted on the picking portion such that in use the north pole of the second magnet faces towards the south pole of the first magnet.

Referring to Figure 7, a device 40 for picking the strings of an instrument according to a fourth embodiment of the invention comprises a picking portion 41 and an elastomeric ring 42 which are substantially identical to those of the previous two embodiments. A hooked fastener portion 44 is provided on the elastomeric ring 42 and is arranged such that the hooks are directed radially outwards from the elastomeric ring 42. A looped fastener portion 43 operatively associated with the hooked fastener portion is provided on a surface of the picking portion in a region distal from the tip 47. The hooked fastener portion 44 may be engaged with the looped fastener portion 43 in order to attach the elastomeric ring 42 to the picking portion 41.

While in this embodiment the hooked fastener portion 44 is provided on the mounting portion and the looped fastener portion 43 is provided on the picking portion, in alternative embodiments the hooked fastener portion 44 may he provided on the picking portion and the looped fastener portion 43 may be provided on the mounting portion.

The previous embodiments have all included an elastomeric ring as the mounting portion. It is however possible to use a wide variety of other types of mounting portion.

If the connection between the mounting portion and the picking portion is not articulated either mechanically or by virtue of the material(s) from which it is formed, then the mounting portion will usually need to offer some form of resilience. However, if the comiection does have articulated characteristics, the mounting ring could be entirely rigid.

The elastomeric ring of the previous embodiments does allow it to fit fingers of different sizes. If a rigid ring is used it is therefore preferable (but not essential) for some form of adjustment mechanism to be included.

Referring to Figure 8, a device 50 for picking the strings of an instrument according to a fifth embodiment of the invention comprises a picking portion 51 and an elongate, resilient metal strip 52 in the form of an open spiral for mounting on a finger. The picking portion 51 is substantially identical to those of the previous embodiments. An end region of the metal strip 52 is attached to the pick 51 by means of glue, but could be attached in other ways, such as described in the second to fourth embodiments above,

for example.

In use, the player's finger is simply inserted into the centre of the spiral. The spiral then dilates to the extent necessary to accommodate the finger and its natural resilience holds it securely in place on the finger.

Although in this embodiment the elongate resilient metal strip is in the form of a spiral, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the elongate resilient metal strip may be in the form of an open helix. Moreover, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the elongate resilient strip may be made of a resilient material which is not metal.

Figure 9 illustrates a device 60 for picking the strings of an instrument according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. The device 60 comprises a picking portion 61 and a resilient metal strip 62 in the form of an open ring to define a mounting portion. The strip is riveted to the picking portion but, once again, other fastening mechanisms could be employed.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a device 70 for picking the strings of a musical instrument according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. The device 70 comprises a picking portion 71 and an elastomeric ring 72 to serve as a mounting portion. The picking portion is substantially identical to those of the previous embodiments. A resilient metal clip 73 is fixed to one of the planar surfaces of the picking portion 71. The elastomeric ring 72 is passed between the resilient metal strip and a planar surface of the picking portion 71 in use, such that the resilient metal strip holds the elastomeric ring 72 against the picking portion 71.

It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments of the invention a clip may be integrally formed on one of the picking portions of the picking portion and the elastomeric ring may be passed between the clip and the planar surface of the picking portion in use such that the clip holds the elastomeric ring against the picking portion.

With reference to Figures Il and 12, a device 80 for picking the strings of a stringed musical instrument comprises a picking portion 81, a rigid plastics ring 82 to serve as a mounting portion and an elastic joint member 83 for joining the plastics ring 82 to the picking portion 81. The elastic joint member 83 is fixed to the picking portion 81 in a region thereof which is close to the base 88. Each end of the elastic joint member comprises a protuberance 89 that locates behind a smaller-diameter aperture, through which the joint member is threaded. The elastic joint member 83 is made from an elastomeric material, so the protuberances can easily be threaded through the respective apertures despite their greater diameter. Other methods of fixing the member to the picking portion 81 and mounting portion 82 are, of course, possible.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the nature of the connection between the picking and mounting portions is such that they can move with respect to one another when the device is used to pick the strings of a musical instrument. This imparts a degree of flexibility to the operation of picking device allowing the user to maintain a familiar feel during play.

In the above embodiments the picking portion may simply be gripped between the finger and thumb without the mounting portion being mounted on the finger of the player.

It will be appreciated that although the device is used to play the strings of a guitar in the described embodiments, the device may be used to play other stringed instruments that are played in a similar manner to a guitar, such as for example, a banjo, a mandolin etc. Many further modifications and variations will suggest themselves to those versed in the art upon making reference to the foregoing illustrative embodiments, which are given by way of example only and which are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, that being determined solely by the appended claims. In particular, the different mounting portions and connections from different embodiments may be interchanged, where appropriate, and many other types not specifically disclosed herein are also suitable. It is also important to understand that the picking portions disclosed herein have been chosen for convenience of discussion; almost any conventional type of flat pick could be substituted for those shown herein and other types of pick may also serve as the picking portion.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A device for picking the strings of a stringed musical

instrument, the said device comprising: a mounting portion for mounting on a finger; and a picking portion for manipulation against the strings; wherein the picking portion and the mounting portion are adapted to be connected together during use in such a manner that one can move with respect to the other.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion is made from a resilient material.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the picking portion can be removably attached to the mounting portion.
4. A device for according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounting portion is in the form of a ring.
5. A device for picking the strings of a stringed musical instrument according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the mounting portion is an elongate resilient strip in the form of a spiral.
6. A device for picking the strings of a stringed musical instrument according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the mounting portion is an elongate resilient strip in the form of a helix.
7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is configured such that a surface of the picking portion can extend in a plane substantially tangential to a finger when the mounting portion in mounted on the finger.
8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the mounting portion and the picking portion is provided with a male member projecting radially outwards therefrom, and the other of the picking portion and the mounting portion is provided with a female member operatively associated with the male member, such that the male member can engage the female member so as to fix the mounting portion to the picking portion during use.
9. A device according to any one of claims I to 7, wherein one of the mounting portion and the picking portion is provided with a magnet and the other of the picking portion and the mounting portion is provided with a portion of magnetic material such that the mounting portion is attachable to the picking portion by way of magnetic attraction between the magnet and the magnetic material.
10. A device according to any one of claims ito 7, wherein one of the mounting portion and the picking portion is provided with a first magnet, and the other of the picking portion and the mounting portion is provided with a second magnet such that the mounting portion is attachable to the picking portion by way of magnetic attraction between opposing poles of the first and second magnets.
11. A device according to any one of claims ito 7, wherein one of the picking portion and the mounting portion is provided with a hooked fastener portion and the other of the mounting portion and the picking portion is provided with a looped fastener portion, so that the mounting portion can be attached to the picking portion by cooperation between the ioop fastener portion and the hook fastener portion.
12. A device according to any of claims ito 7, wherein the mounting portion and the picking portion are connected by an articulated connection.
13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the picking portion can be attached to the mounting portion through an intermediate joint comprising a resilient material.
14. A device according to claim 13, wherein a resilient strip is mounted on a surface of the picking portion and the mounting portion is arranged to pass between the strip and the picking portion such that the strip holds the mounting portion against the picking portion.
15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the clip is integrally formed on a surface of the picking portion.
16. A device according to any of claims Ito 7, wherein the picking portion is provided with at least one aperture and the mounting portion comprises a flexible elongate section that is adapted to pass through the or each aperture.
17. A device according to Claim 16, wherein the picking portion comprises two apertures and the mounting portion comprises an elastomeric ring that defines the said flexible elongate section.
18. A device according to claim 16, wherein the picking portion comprises a single aperture and an intermediate elastomeric member is threaded through the said aperture and through a further aperture provided in a part of the mounting portion that is adapted to at least partly encircle a finger during use.
19. A device for picking the strings of a stringed musical instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the angle between the mounting portion and the picking portion is adjustable.
20. A device for picking the strings of a stringed musical instrument substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.