US653814A - Device for supporting the hands of piano-players. - Google Patents

Description

N0. 653,8l4. Patented July 17, I900.

W. J. MENNES.

DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING THE HANDS 0F PIANO PLAYERS.

(Application filed Feb. 20, 1900.)

(No Modelr) Maia) WLM Jaw/166M186 UNITED STATES PATENT OEErcE.

\VILHELM JOI-IANNES MENNES, OF AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS.

DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING THE HANDS OF PIANO-PLAYERS.

SPEGIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent NO. 653,814, dated July 17, 1900. Application filed February 20, 1900. Serial No. 5 ,95'7. N0 model.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILHELM J OHANNES MENNEs, teacher of music, a subject of the Queen of the Netherlands, residing at 137 Govert Flinck-straat, Amsterdam, Netherlands, have invented a certain new and usefulDevice for Supporting the Hands of Pianoforte-Players,of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows the arm band with the elastic band secured thereto. Fig. 2 shows the hook which transfers the pull of the band to the hand in side elevation and plan, while Fig. 3 shows the application of the device to a left hand. i

This invention relates to a device which is designed to insure the correct position of the hands or fingers in playing the pianoforte and may be known by the name Lassa.

As is known, the correct position of the hands is one of the essential conditions for good pianoforte-playing. Experts are agreed that the correct position is that in which the back of the hand is somewhat inclined from the little finger to the thumb. The thumb remains straight, while the fingers from the second joint down are drawn in, which gives the hand a gentle curvature. Any one who has occupied himself in pianoforte exercises knows how difficult it is to accustom oneself to this correct position of the hands. Only after years of practice is it possible to attain anyproficiency in this respect, and many persons otherwise highly gifted lose their interest in playing the pianoforte because of not succeeding in acquiring the indispensable execution, and execution-that is to say, the power of pressing the correct keys rapidly, surely, and in the prescribed mannercan only be attained if the learner in his exercises holds his hands in the correct position. In the normal position of the hands the inclination is, however, in the opposite direction, the thumb being thus higher than the little finger. Accordingly a certain tension of the muscles is required in order to prevent the hand from going back out of the correct into the normal position, and so long as these muscles are not hardened by years of exercise fatigue will very soon be caused thereby.

My invention is designed to produce a device whereby the pianoforte-player is forced to keep the hands always steadily in the correct position, without, however, being in any way impeded in his movements. This is effected by assisting and to some extent replacing the muscular power which must be exerted in order to keep the hands continuously in the correct position by the elastic power of a band. For this purpose there is placed around the forearm, approximately in the middle between the wrist and the elbow, a band, preferably an elastic band in order to be able to fit any circumference of arm. From this band a second band, which is also elastic, extends around the arm to the side of the thumb, then over the back of the hand, and is finally detachably fastened to a hook which is placed around the hand at the side of the little finger.

In Fig. 1, a is a broad band which is provided with a buckle b and an adj listing-slide c. On this band a, is secured a fastening spring or clip dfi Through this spring or clip dis drawn one end of the elastic band 6, which is provided at its other end with a small hook f. The wires or threads of the material of the band 6 are longerat the outer side of the band than at the inner side, so that the band fits the arm and hand well, 1

The hook g, Fig. 2, at the place where it comes into contact with the hand is covered with a piece of leather h in order to prevent the sharp edges of the hook from pressing into the hand.

Fig. 3 shows the several parts in their in-- terconnection when the device is in use.

The two bands Ct and 6 can be lengthened or shortened, as desired-as regards the band a by means of the adjusting-slide c and the band 6 by drawing it more or less through the spring or clip 01 and then fastening the spring or clip.

As shown in Fig. 3, the band 6 is adjusted around the arm and hand and the hook g ar ranged so that the wrist-jointi and the joint 70 of the little finger remain free.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The above-described position of the hands is produced and maintained by the drawing action of the band a without the player being required to exert himself. The

elasticity of the band 0 replaces the work which would otherwise have to be performed by the muscles. The band 6 rests on the back of the hand,between the wrist-joint and the joint of the little finger, and therefore the free movement of the hand is in no way interfered with.

In order to remove or throw the device out of action, it is only necessary to pull the band 6 at the free end f. The hook f is then re leased from the hook g, whereupon the hand is immediately quite free. The two hooksf and Q can be again connected quite as quickly and easily, and the device thus brought into action.

The results which are attained with my improved hand-supporting device are wonderfully good.

The players hand, while being unimpeded, is constantly maintained in the correct posi tion, and after exercises have been played one hour per day for a mouth with this device it can be perceived that ones execution has considerably improved, and in time the device can be dispensed with entirely. The position of the player is quiet and the touch powerful and certain.

What I claim is- 1. In a hand-supporting device for pianoforte players the combination of a hook shaped to embrace the side of the hand near the joint of the little finger, a band adapted to be secured around the forearm, and an elastic band detachably connected at one end to the aforesaid hook and arranged to be Wound around the forearm and adjustably secured at 1 its other end to the said band secured around the forearm, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

2. In a hand-supporting device for pianoforte players, the combination of a hook shaped to embrace the side of the hand above the joint of the little finger, a band adaptedto be secured around the forearm, and an elastic band detachably connected at one end to the said hook and arranged to be passed over the back of the hand, under the wrist, and then over the back of the forearm attached to the band secured around the forearm, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

3. In a hand-supporting device for pianoforte'players, the combination of an arched hook shaped to embrace the side of the hand above the joint of the little finger and carrying a pad 7;, an elastic band adapted to be secured around the forearm, another elastic band detachably connected at one end to the saidhook and arran ged to be passed over the back of the hand between the wrist-joint and the joint of the little finger and under the wrist and then over the back of the forearm, said band being; attached by a clip to the band secured around the forearm, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

\VILHELM JOHANNES MENNES.

"Witnesses:

THOMAS I-lnnnnnus Vnnr-nrvn, Aocnsr SIEGFRIED Deon.

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