GB2507606A - Musical percussion instrument comprising a soundbox and two separate drums with drum skin heads - Google Patents

Abstract

A musical percussion instrument in the style of a cajon comprises a soundbox incorporating two separate and independent drums with drum skin heads. Both drums preferably have a dual purpose. The snare drum may be removed and played on its own (figures 3 & 4), in the manner of a tambourine or shaker while the bass drum may be removed and played separately as a bodhran with a beater (figures 5 & 6). The snare drum may comprise an opening in the side of a rim of the drum to facilitate introduction of a variety of small hard or metallic objects, such as rice grains or small bells, in order to create a rasping snare-style sound. A wire snare may be incorporated into the soundbox to provide more flexibility in achieved a desired sound. The ergonomic design can offer the performer a fully playable experience and is intended to allow total hand control over the sound and tones produced.

Description

Musical percussion instrument -

Detailed description-

The instrument is played in the style of a cajon, that is to say by sitting on and straddling the instrument (fig 2). A realistic snare and bass drum sound is achieved by using separate, individual, drum shells with drum skin heads. The drums are incorporated into a soundbox which amplifies the sound and provides the overall tone (fig 1). The drum shells are raised from the face of the soundbox so as to facilitate an expressive, playable interface. The shape of the rim of each drum shell is curved to facilitate comfort in playing. The musician's hands can strike different areas of each drum head to achieve an expressive tonal rang of sound.

Rim shots on the edge provide a high, sharp, ringing tone while hits in the centre of the drum head provide a deeper rolling tone making it possible to achieve all the tonal, expressive possibilities in between. Using the flat of the hand it is possible to dampen the drum head and thus control the decay of each note. The snare drum has a front skin (Fig 9 No 1) and a back skin (Fig 9 No 3) allowing, through a hole in the side of the rim (Fig 9 No 2), materials to be introduced to the interior of the drum in order to produce a snare sound. A variety of items can be used, anything from rice to small bells, similar to a child's rattle, in order to create the snare sound (Fig 9 No 4). Thus allowing the performer to create their, own, personally designed sound. In addition, a commercially available, wire snare, as used in snare drums around the world, can be fitted to the soundbox, providing even more flexibility in achieving the desired sound (Fig 7 No 1). The back of the instrument incorporates a soundboard, in order to amplify the sound and provide a warm depth of tone (Fig 8 No 1). The addition of two sound holes, one in each side of the soundbox allows the sound to emanate from the inner chamber with a pleasing, full and rounded tone (FigS No 2). The design allows for each drum to have another, secondary use. The snare drum can be removed from the soundbox and played independently as a shaker or small hand drum in a similar manner as a tambourine (Fig 3 & 4). The bass drum can be removed from the soundbox and played as a bodhran in the traditional manner with a small beater or tipper' (Fig 5 & 6).

Claims (7)

1. Claims- 1 A musical percussion instrument in the style of a cajon consisting of a soundbox incorporating two separate and independent drums with drum skin heads.
2. 2 A musical percussion instrument according to Claim 1 in which each drum may be removed from the soundbox, allowing each to have a distinct secondary use.
3. 3 A musical percussion instrument according to Claim 2 in which the back of the soundbox forms a soundboard in order to amplify the sound and provide a rich depth of tone.
4. 4 A musical percussion instrument according to Claim 3 in which the snare drum when removed from the soundbox can be played independently as a shaker or small hand drum in a similar manner to a tambourine.
5. A musical percussion instrument according to Claim 3 in which the bass drum when removed from the soundbox can be played independently as a bodhran in the traditional manner with a beater or tipper'.
6. 6 A musical percussion instrument according to Claim 3 in which the snare drum has an opening in the side of the rim to facilitate introduction of a variety of small hard or metallic objects such as rice grains or small bells in order to create a rasping, snare-style sound.
7. 7 A musical percussion instrument according to Claim 3 in which a wire snare can be incorporated into the soundbox providing even more flexibility in achieving the desired sound.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: Claims-I A musical percussion instrument in the style of a cajon consisting of a soundbox, the soundbox having a body, the body defining a first drum aperture and a second drum aperture; and a first independent drum and a second independent drum, each of the first and second drums having a drum skin head, wherein the first drum is removably attachable to the soundbox body such that the first drum covers the first drum aperture, and the second drum is removably attachable to the soundbox body such that the second drum covers the second drum aperture, once removed, each drum having a distinct secondary use.2 A musical percussion instrument according to Claim 1 in which the back of the soundbox consists of a soundboard in order to amplify the sound and provide a rich depth of tone.3 A musical percussion instrument according to Claim 1 in which the snaie drum has an opening in the side of the rim to facilitate introduction of a variety of small hard or metallic objects such as rice grains or small bells in order to create a rasping, snare-style sound."ct 4 A musical percussion instrument according to Claim 1 in which a wire snare is incorporated in the soundbox providing even more flexibility in achieving the desired sound. (4