WO2007113156A1 - Percussion instruments. - Google Patents

Abstract

A percussion instrument comprises a base (1) and a pair of cords (6, 7). Each of the cords (6, 7) is connected between a respective pair of supports (2, 3, 4) carried by the base (1) and diverges outwardly with respect to the other to define an obtuse angle therebetween.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"PERCUSSION TNSTRTJMENTWS"

The present invention relates to percussion instruments. More specifically the

present invention relates to a percussion instrument which may be used silently to

practise and improve drumming technique

Musicians need to practise their instruments in order to maintain their skills, improve their playing technique and to learn new songs. For a drummer this means practising speed, agility, stick technique and various combinations of rhythms by striking

a pair of drumsticks against a surface. It is inevitable that practising on a drum set will produce considerable noise, and this can cause disturbance and nuisance to others. Furthermore, because a drum set is bulky, heavy and difficult to set up it does not readily

lend itself to being moved where it will not cause a disturbance.

It is known to provide damping rings which can be placed on each drum in a drum

set to reduce the level of sound produced when struck. These damping rings do not significantly alter the playing surface response characteristics of the drums and therefore they allow a drummer to practise all aspects of drum playing to full effect. With the

damping rings in place the drums will be quieter, but the "feel" of the drums will be

substantially unaffected. However, these damping rings only reduce the level of sound and do not silence the drum completely. Furthermore, the percussionist must still sit

down at the drum set to practise which may not always be convenient.

Portable devices for practising drumming technique and for building strength and reliance in the fingers, hands and wrists are known and are generally referred to as drum

practise pads. A typical drum practise pad comprises a sheet of rubber material adhered

to or otherwise mounted on a block of wood. When struck with a drumstick most of the impact is absorbed by the rubber sheet, thus ensuring that the practise pad is relatively

quiet; at worst there is a tapping sound from the pad.

EP-A-651370 discloses an electronic percussion instrument which can be used

to good effect for practising without making any significant noise by the simple expedient of not connecting it to an amplifier. In its simplest implementation the instrument comprises a U-shaped holder which supports between the parallel arms thereof a cable.

The cable is tensioned so as to be capable of oscillation on being struck with a drumstick.

The oscillation of the tensioned cable is effectively silent unless picked up by a microphone and amplified.

The electronic percussion instrument of EP-A-651370 exhibits a similar response

characteristic to a drum skin on being struck with a drumstick, but does not work so well

when struck by two drumsticks, each alternating with the other. In this connection, the

tensioned cable presents the same aspect to both sticks, effectively extending in a straight line in front of the drummer so that the angle of incidence of each drumstick to the cable

is significantly offset from the perpendicular. Where the drumstick strikes the cable at

an angle offset from the perpendicular there is a tendency for the drumstick to be thrown

sideways as it rebounds from the cable. This can be compensated for by the drummer

adjusting his playing position, but it means that the drummer has to play with his elbows held in tight to his body which greatly restricts his freedom of movement. A further disadvantage of this known device is that vibration in the cable caused by the first

drumstick striking it can affect the second drumstick, and can contribute to an awkward

or unnatural rebound from the cable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a percussion instrument that can

be used as a drum practise instrument.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a percussion instrument

that simulates the playing surface response characteristic of a drumskin.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a percussion instrument that is substantially silent in use, but which is capable of being made audible

through appropriate electronic amplification means.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a percussion instrument which provides separate responses for the left hand and right hand drumsticks.

According to the present invention there is provided a percussion instrument

comprising base and a pair of cords, each connected between a pair of supports carried

by the base and each diverging outwardly with respect to the other to define an obtuse

angle therebetween.

Preferably, the cords are comprised of rubber or some other resilient material.

When hit with a drumstick this material exhibits much the same response as the skin of

a drum, but without making any significant noise. This allows the percussion instrument

according to the present invention to be used to practise drumming techniques and

rhythms without causing any disturbance to others.

Preferably, the two cords are disposed at an angle of approximately 120° to one another. Generally speaking, this angle ensures that each cord is at right angles to the

drumstick striking it. This ensures that the drumstick rebounds vertically from the cord

without deflecting to one side or the other, and allows the drummer to adopt a natural playing position. Conveniently, the angle formed between the two cords is adjustable to accommodate individual playing styles.

The percussion instrument may further comprise a pick-up adapted, in use, to be connected to electrical amplification means. This allows the sound output from the percussion instrument to be output to loudspeakers, sound recording apparatus and the like to produce a novel and interesting electric percussion sound.

Preferably, the base is circular and is adapted to fit on a drum stand. However, the base may be provided with rubber pads or feet so that the percussion instrument can

be played resting on a table or other horizontal surface.

In one embodiment of the present invention the percussion instrument comprises three upright supports defining a middle support and two outer supports, and a single cord

connected between them so as to define a first cord arm between the middle support and

one of the outer supports and a second chord arm between the middle support and the other outer support.

In another embodiment of the present invention the percussion instrument

comprises two pairs of upright supports and a cord connected between each pair of

supports. Each pair of supports may be mounted on a sub-base which is rotatably relative

to the base such that the angle each cord presents to the user may be varied.

Preferably, the percussion instrument further comprises tensioning means for adjusting the tension in each of the cords or in each of the cord arms.

Preferably, the upright supports can be folded flat to the base for storage and

transportation.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a percussion instrument according to the present invention supported

on a drum stand;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the percussion instrument shown in Fig. 1 and shows two drumsticks striking each of the cord arms; Fig. 3 shows the percussion instrument shown in Fig. 1 with the upright supports

and the cord folded flat to the base;

Fig. 4 shows the percussion instrument shown in Fig. 1 and having a clave bar fitted to the base for the purpose of allowing rim shots to be practised;

Fig. 5 shows the percussion instrument shown in Fig. 1 and having a pair of

accent practise bars fitted to the base; and

Fig. 6 shows the percussion instrument shown in Fig. 1 and fitted with a rim shot

bar, a pair of accent bars and a pair of supports for supporting the instrument between the

users legs.

Referring to all of the drawings together there is shown a percussion instrument

comprising a circular base 1 with three cut-outs Ia, Ib and Ic in the middle and three

upstanding pillars or supports 2, 3 and 4. The diameter of the circular base 1 is

approximately equal to that of a snare drum so that the percussion instrument closely replicates the size and feel of a real drum. Moreover, by providing a circular base the percussion instrument can be mounted on a snare drum stand for ease of positioning and

playing. Referring to Fig. 1 the percussion instrument is shown mounted between the

three arms 30 of a snare drum stand. Three adjustable legs 31 , each supporting a circular rubber pad 33, are provided in the base 1. These allow the percussion instrument to be placed on a table or other horizontal surface for use, as an alternative to mounting it on

a snare drum stand.

A rubber cord 5 is connected between the outer supports 2 and 4 and is hooked around a peg 34 carried by the central support 3. The tension in the rubber cord 5 can be

adjusted by means of screw threaded adjustment means 35 in each of the outer supports

2 and 4. A triangular shaped brace 36 is provided between the three supports 2, 3 and 4

to prevent tension in the rubber cord 5 from pulling the supports 2, 3 and 4 out of the base 1. The brace 36 is provided with a short peg 37 at each of its three corners, each of which pegs 37 is received in a hole in the side of a respective support 2, 3 or 4. Referring to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the supports 2, 3 and 4 can be removed from the base 1 and folded

flat thereto. In this connection each of the supports 2, 3 and 4 is provided with a cross

shaped peg 38 on the bottom end which forms an interference fit in a correspondingly shaped aperture (not shown) in the base 1 , To fold the percussion instrument flat, the

rubber cord 5 is unhooked from around the peg 34 on the central support 3 to release the

tension therein. Now each of the supports 2, 3 and 4 can be pulled from the base 1 and,

by pivoting each support about the peg 37 connecting it to the brace 36, folded flat to the

base 1. In this embodiment of the present invention the rubber cord 5 defines two cord arms, a first cord arm 6 between the outer support 2 and the central support 3, and a

second cord arm 7 between the other outer support 4 and the central support 3. Referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the two cord arms 6 and 7 are disposed at an angle of approximately 120° to one another as viewed from the users position. In use, each of the two cord arms 6 and 7 is struck with a respective drumstick 8 and 9 to practise rhythms

and playing technique. By arranging the two cord arms 6 and 7 at approximately 120° to one another each of the drumsticks 8 and 9 is naturally incident on the cord at an angle of approximately 90° thereto. This allows the user to adopt a natural playing position and ensures that the drumsticks are not deflected to one side as they rebound from the cord arms. The rubber cord 5 makes little or no sound when struck. The percussion

instrument according to the present invention is ideally suited for use as a practise

apparatus, making little or no noise which might disturb others. The peg 34 on the central support 3 effectively isolates the two cord arms 6 and 7, one from the other, and

enables them to vibrate independently of one another. This prevents or at least minimises any cross over effects between the two cord arms as they are repeatedly struck with the

drumsticks. Any significant vibration in one cord arm caused by striking the other cord arm could offset the player's rhythm.

The cut-out sections Ia, Ib and Ic from the middle of the circular base 1 reduce

the overall weight of the percussion instrument. They also prevent the base acting as a

reflector for vibration in the cords which might then be audible.

In a variation on the embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 1, the central support 3 may be mounted in a slot on the base 1 such that it can be slide towards and a way from a line drawn directly between the two outer supports 2 and 4. This allows

the angle formed by each of the two cord arms 6 and 7 to be adjusted. This additional

feature may be useful to players who have an unusual or idiosyncratic playing position. In addition, the supports 2, 3 and 4 may be secured to the base by hinges which allow them to be folded flat to the base for storage and transportation.

Referring now to Fig. 4 the percussion instrument of Fig. 1 is shown with a Latin

clave practise bar 10. The Latin clave practise bar 10 is mounted on the edge of the base 1 to approximate the position of the rim of a snare drum. The playing surface 1 1 of the practise bar 10 is curved and is covered with a soft material to muffle any sound produced

by striking it with a drumstick 9. The Latin clave practise bar 10 allows the users to

practise rim shots by resting the head of the drumstick 9 on one of the two cord arms 6, 7 to approximate the skin of a snare drum and striking the practise bar with the body of the drumstick 9. Referring now to Fig. 5 the percussion instrument of Fig. 1 is shown with a pair

of accent practise bars 12 fitted to the base. As shown, each of the accent bars 12 is

fitted to a respective one of the legs 31. Each of the accent bars 12 comprises a U-shaped

frame 13 having a rubber cord 14 connected between the upstanding limbs thereof. The

position of the cord 14 relative to the users can be varied by twisting the accent bar 12 on

the supporting leg 31, but generally each of the accent bars 12 is arranged such that the

cord 14 lies parallel to the adjacent cord arm 6 or 7. The accent bars 12 provided an

accentuated sound when hit with a drumstick compared with the cord arms 6 and 7. Referring finally to Fig. 6 the percussion instrument of Fig. 1 is shown with a Latin clave practise bar 10 and a pair of accent bars 12. It is also shown fitted with a

curved arm 15 to each of the outer supports 2 and 4. These curved arms 15 allow the

percussion instrument to be supported by the user between their legs. The percussion instrument described hereinbefore with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 is effectively silent. However, in a variation on it the percussion instrument may be

provided with a pick up which can be connected to an amplifier to amplify and reproduce

through loudspeakers, recording apparatus and the like the sounds produced by the cord arms, the Latin clave practise bars and the accent bars when struck. In another embodiment of the present invention each of the cord arms may be

provided by a separate cord which is connected between a respective pair of upstanding supports. Each pair of supports may form part of a U-shaped frame, similar to that of the accent bars shown in Fig. 5, or may be connected through a sub-base, and is rotatable

relative to the base so that the angle each cord defines is independently adjustable. This

allows the user to define their preferred playing position. It also ensures that the response characteristic of each cord to being hit with a drumstick is totally independent of the other

cord.

Referring to Fig. 6 there is shown another embodiment of a drum practise apparatus according to the present invention. This embodiment of the invention differs

from the first in that each of the playing arms 6 and 7 is strung between a respective pair

of upstanding pegs 13 and 14, and 15 and 16. Furthermore each pair of pegs is mounted

on a respective sub-base 17 and 18 which is pivotal relative to the base 1 to allow the angle formed between the two playing arms 6 and 7 to be adjusted to allow the user to

define for themselves their preferred playing position.

Claims

1. A percussion instrument comprising a base and a pair of cords, each

connected between a pair of supports carried by the base and each diverging outwardly

with respect to the other to define an obtuse angle therebetween.

2. A percussion instrument according to claim 1, wherein the cords are

comprised of rubber or some other resilient material.

3. A percussion instrument according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two cords

are disposed at an angle of approximately 120° to one another.

4. A percussion instrument according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the angle formed between the two cords is adjustable to accommodate individual playing styles.

5. A percussion instrument according to any preceding claim, comprising a

pick-up adapted, in use, to be connected to electrical amplification means.

6. A percussion instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the

base is circular and is adapted to fit on a drum stand.

7. A percussion instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the

base is provided with rubber pads or feet.

8. A percussion instrument according to any preceding claim, comprising

three upright supports defining a middle support and two outer supports, and a single cord connected between them so as to define a first cord arm between the middle support and

one of the outer supports and a second chord arm between the middle support and the

other outer support.

9. A percussion instrument according to any of claims 1 to 8, comprising two

pairs of upright supports and a cord connected between each pair of supports.

10. A percussion instrument according to claim 10, wherein each pair of

supports is mounted on a sub-base which is rotatably relative to the base such that the angle each cord presents to the user can be varied.

11. A percussion instrument according to any preceding claim, comprising tensioning means for adjusting the tension in each of the cords or in each of the cord

arms.

12. A percussion instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein the

upright supports can be folded flat to the base for storage and transportation.