GB2458144A

GB2458144A - Wind instrument having dual mouthpieces located at opposing ends of substantially U shaped tube

Info

Publication number: GB2458144A
Application number: GB0804168A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clinton James Beale
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-06
Filing date: 2008-03-06
Publication date: 2009-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-06
Also published as: GB2458144B; GB0804168D0

Abstract

A wind musical instrument has a pair of mouthpieces A and B located adjacent to each other but on opposite ends of a substantially U shaped length of tubing E. Mouthpiece A having an open form and producing sounds similar to that of a didgeridoo, the sound travelling round the U bend and being capable of being varied in pitch via the use of a slip valve or collar C which moves up and down with respect to a series of elongated holes D. A further series of holes F are provided on the tubing and are spaced apart to also allow a variation in musical notes. A second mouthpiece B is located adjacent the first and may be a fipple type device as fitted to a flute or the like. Variation in notation is achieved in the same manner as with the first mouthpiece.

Description

I

Musical Instrument PiDe BackQround This musical instrument combines several wind type instrument sounds from different continents into one stand alone smaller portable format. The tuning of the different wind sounds are all matched, which is essential for combining the sounds produced. The ergonomic design makes it easy to hold, play, transport and use in a single performance, as opposed to collecting and finding compatible tuned instruments, possibly from other parts of the world that are large, heavy and separate.

Statement of Invention

To achieve this, the instrument uses a single pipe that, owing to its design incorporating a U' bend, can be blown from both ends. Two different mouthpieces are attached at each end respectively, and when used in conjunction with a slip valve' and holes, the airflow can be directed and redirected in various ways as to combine and create a number of different wind instrument sounds of traditional and unknown origin. For example, didgeridoo, fujara, shakuhachi flute and beyond.

Advantaaes The type of wind sounds the invention makes are normally played on very large, heavy, separate instruments, which makes them difficult to transport, record and perform with. This instrument is much smaller, lighter and combines them all in one package.

Separate instruments are often out of tune with each other, when they are collected from different places, making them difficult to be used with each other in situations of recording and performance.

All the sounds on this instrument are in tune with each other, making it possible for different instrument sounds to be used in conjunction with each other on the same recording or performance. Also, sounds can be switched between each other very quickly, as they are performed on the same instrument.

When playing a flute sound a full chromatic scale can be achieved as well as extra notes for didgendoo. No modification or add on' bits are required when switching between sounds.

More unique sounds can be obtained from combining the different instrument sounds that are available.

It is cost effective as the separate instruments are combined in one.

The ergonomic design makes it easier to play and hold.

Low cost materials will make construction very economical.

Detailed Description

A drawing of the instrument in Figure (1) 1 /2 shows two pipes joined at the bottom with a U' bend (E) to form a single pipe. Air can be blown in at either end through angled mouthpieces (A) or (B). The mouthpieces are angled to help the playing position and keep the instrument more vertical against the body.

When air is blown down mouthpiece (A), which is an open hole slightly larger than the width of the piping, a didgeridoo sound is achieved. The air travels down the pipe and exits at the elongated holes (D) Figure (1). The note produced on the prototype is C' sharp. To achieve this on a didgeridoo of traditional design would require an instrument of approximately 1.6 metres long.

When the moveable sleeve acting as a slip valve is raised, (C) Figure (1), it covers the elongated holes (D) lower notes are achieved, as the air column has effectively grown. The air now exits the pipe through the holes (F). Different notes of the didgendoo sound can be achieved by covering the holes (F) with the fingers, thus having a didgendoo that can play different pitches, as opposed to just one on the traditional instrument. These pitches have the advantage of being accurate notes as the holes are fixed (F) for certain pitches.

The other mouthpiece (B) Figure (1) has a tipple' type attachment; a tipple' being the type of mouthpiece that is found on certain types of flutes, whistles, and recorders, where a jet of air is blown through a slit which in turn hits a sharp angle which the produces a note. When air is blown into mouthpiece (B) Figure (1) a flute sound is achieved rather like a shakuhachi of Japanese origin.

Air exits as far as the elongated holes (D) Figure (1) and different notes are achieved by covering the holes (F) Figure (1). Holes can be partially covered to attain au the notes of a chromatic Scale, and is parfecty in tuna and in key with the didgeridoo part and sound.

To achieve the correct intonation between the flute and didgendoo sounds, the elongated holes (D) have to be the correct size and have the right amount of elongation that is required to match their pitches. This has a lot to do with the air column length which has to be precisely right for the instrument sounds to be in tune' with each other.

Another sound is achieved on the pipe by placing the slip valve' Figure (2)2/2 in the up position, so the elongated holes are covered, then blowing down mouthpiece (B) Figure (1). When all the holes are covered (F) a sound of a fujara is achieved. This is an overtone flute type instrument of Slovakian origin.

Different pitches are achieved by blowing harder or softer in mouthpiece (B) Figure (1). Different overtones and rhythmic effects are achieved when playing

Detailed Description

the pipe in this mode. Because the slip valve Figure (2) 2 /2 is in the up position and the holes (F) are covered with the fingers, the air column travels the entire length of the pipe an exits at the other mouth piece (A) which o course is open in design, so the sound is clear to exit unhindered.

Again, this sound is in tune with the other sounds the pipe makes, as it is all being produced from the same pipe. To achieve this particular fujara overtone sound the pipe on the traditional instrument is nearly 2 metres long.

For more unique sounds if the slip valve (Figure 2) remains in the up position and the holes (F) Figure (1) are played, a strange blend of fujara and flute sounds are achieved rich with overtones.

The instrument can be constructed from a number of materials, but PVC plastic piping is my preference. I find it very resonant and inexpensive, thus making it a good economic option.

Claims

Claims 1. A single pipe with a U bend that allows each end to be blown using 2 different mouth pieces in very close proximity to each other, to produce greatly varied sounds of different cultures.
2. A slip valve' on the pipe together with holes that redirect the airflow to allow vastly different sounds to be produced.
3. Exactly positioned holes on the pipe that allows all the different instrument sounds to be perfectly in tune with each other.